How to backup and delete Windows Phone data

To completely remove data from iOS and Android devices, you must first encrypt it. By doing this it becomes difficult to recover the data you have deleted. Support for encryption is available in iOS and Android, but not in Windows Phone.

This does not mean that your data on Windows Phone is not completely protected. But some people may be successful in recovering your personal data. Before we delete personal data securely, let us learn how to create a backup of Windows Phone.

Save data on cloud like this
1. Windows Phone allows you to create online backups if you have an Internet connection. For this you will need a Microsoft account. If you’re already using a Windows Phone device, you may have created a Microsoft Account when you set up your phone or downloaded apps.

2. You will also need a OneDrive account to save photos and videos. You can go to onedrive.com or download the app and create an account.

3. To back up Settings, Internet Explorer Favorites, and installed apps, first go to Settings. After this go to Backup, then select App List + Settings. After this keep the backup on. Start creating a backup immediately by tapping on Back Up Now.

4. To back up text messages, go to Settings. Select Backup, then Text Messages. Then turn text message backup into on mode.

5. You can also keep a backup of your videos and photos online. First go to Settings, then select Backup and then in the Photos and Videos sub-heads, choose between Good Quality and Best Quality. While backups of photos over cellular internet will be of good quality, a WiFi connection will be required to create the best quality backup.

Save data on your computer like this
1. If you prefer to keep a backup on your computer, you can copy-paste all the data manually. However, you won’t be able to save text messages or app data or settings with this method.

2. Plug the phone into your computer. Go to My Computer option and there your device will appear as a removable drive. You will see it in the name of Windows Phone. Open it and double-click on the phone. Then copy the photos, music, ringtones and videos from their folders and save them on the computer.

To securely erase data, do this
If you have locked your phone using a passcode, then it will not be possible for anyone who does not know the passcode to unblock the phone. If someone wants to access your data, they will have to reset the phone to factory settings, due to which your personal content will be deleted.

You can also manually delete your data by resetting the phone. By doing this all the data on your phone gets deleted. However, some people can still restore deleted files. However, you can prevent this from happening by taking some precautions.

1. After Settings choose About, then choose the option Reset your phone. Start the process by tapping on Yes twice.

2. When the process is complete, connect your phone to the computer. Access it through My Computer. When you double-click on Windows Phone, you will be able to see the free space on your device through an empty drive named Phone.

3. Fill up your phone’s internal storage by copying large files of HD movies. It is like copying to a file on your pen drive.

4. Once your phone’s internal storage is completely full, delete the copied files. Repeat this process two-three times. Doing this provides protection from recovering deleted data from your phone.

5. If your phone has a microSD card, repeat steps 3 and 4. When you double-click on Windows Phone, another drive named SD Card will appear.

Recover your data like this
To recover photos, app settings, and other files backed up to the cloud, you need to do this.

1. Boot your new Windows Phone device or wiped device. Sign in through your Microsoft account.

2. Wait until the Microsoft account data synchronizes with your device.

3. During this time you will be asked to restore your phone. A list of available backups will also appear. Select the backup you want and tap Next.

4. Enter the security code then tap Next.

5. Wait for the restoration to complete, then tap Next.

6. You will be asked for passwords for email and social accounts. Tap Skip (you can do this later), then tap Done.

7. To view your photos and videos, open the OneDrive app and sign in.

Transferring media files from your computer to your phone is also very easy:
1. Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.

2. Go to My Computer on your computer, open Windows Phone Drive. After this, copy the media files saved on the computer and transfer them to the phone.

In this way you can delete data from Windows Phone safely. Did you manage to delete data from your Windows Phone by following these instructions, do let us know as well.