Connect an external drive or access a network folder, open Settings > Update & Security > Backup, click Add a drive, and select the drive to enable File History, which automatically backs up libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites. 2. In Backup settings, click More options to customize backup frequency (e.g., every 10 minutes, hourly), set retention duration (from months to forever), and manually add folders outside default locations for backup. 3. To restore, go to the original folder in File Explorer, click Home > History, use the timeline to find a version, select the file or folder, and click Restore—overwriting the current file—or choose a different location via the dropdown. 4. For advanced control, go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History, click Advanced settings to adjust backup frequency, retention, exclude file types, run manual backups, or change/turn off the backup drive. File History is ideal for protecting personal files but does not replace full system backups; ensure the drive is regularly connected or use a network location for automatic protection, making it a reliable “set it and forget it” solution for ongoing file safety.

File History is a built-in backup feature in Windows that automatically saves copies of your files to an external drive or network location. It’s especially useful for protecting personal files like documents, pictures, videos, and desktop files. Here’s how to set it up and use it effectively.

1. Set Up File History

Before File History can back up your files, you need to connect a storage device and turn the feature on.

• Connect an external drive (like a USB flash drive or external hard drive) or make sure you have access to a network folder.
• Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
• Under "Back up using File History," click Add a drive.
• Select your connected drive from the list.

Once a drive is selected, File History will automatically start backing up your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites.

? Tip: It’s best to use a dedicated drive for File History—Windows will organize the folder structure automatically.

2. Customize Backup Settings

You can adjust how often files are saved and how long they’re kept.

• In the same Backup settings page, click More options.
• Choose how often to save copies of files (e.g., every 10 minutes, hourly, daily).
• Set how long to keep saved versions—you can choose from “forever” to a specific number of months.
• Click Add a folder if you want to back up extra folders outside the default locations.

? By default, File History only backs up folders in your user profile (like Documents, Pictures). If you store files elsewhere, add those folders manually.

3. Restore Files from File History

If you accidentally delete or modify a file, you can restore it from a previous version.

• Open the folder where the original file was located.
• Click the Home tab in File Explorer, then select History.
• This opens File History in its own interface, showing a timeline on the right.
• Browse through the versions or use the timeline to pick a date and time.
• Select the file or folder you want, then click Restore.

?? Restoring a file will overwrite the current version in its original location. You can also restore to a different location by clicking the dropdown arrow on Restore.

4. Advanced Settings (Optional)

For more control:

• Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
• Click Advanced settings to:
  • Change how often backups run.
  • Adjust retention time (how long old versions are kept).
  • Exclude specific file types from backup.
  • Manually run a backup now.

? You can also use this panel to turn off File History or change the backup drive.

File History won’t replace a full system image backup, but it’s great for recovering lost or changed personal files. Just keep the backup drive connected regularly—or use a network location—so it can run automatically.

Basically, set it once and forget it. As long as the drive is available, your files stay protected.

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