TechRepublic's Microsoft Weekly newsletter
Subscription | Read Online | Twitter Facebook Google+

Windows tip of the week

Set up file history


By Ed Bott


Windows 10 has a perfectly good backup program called File History. It can help protect your files from catastrophic loss (such as a hard drive failure) and can also help you recover an old version of a file if you inadvertently deleted or replaced the file.


To get the benefits of File History, you need to configure an external storage location, specify what you want to back up, and then turn the feature on. To get started, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. Under the Back Up Using File History heading, click Add a Drive to select an external drive, such as a USB hard drive. (You can't use the same drive as the one on which your files are stored.)


If you'd prefer to back up to a network location, you'll need to use the old-style Control Panel: Go to System and Security > File History > Select Drive, and click Add Network Location to enter the full UNC path of the shared folder you want to use.


With that step out of the way, you're ready to begin backing up. By default, every document folder in your personal profile is included. Click More Options to add or remove folders from this list. By default, backups of changed files happen once per hour. On the More Options page, you can change that interval and adjust how long Windows keeps your backed-up files available.

Latest from TechRepublic

Introducing Cortana Skills Kit For Enterprise

How to free up disk space with Windows 10 Storage Sense feature

Why Adobe Premiere Rush is not Adobe Premiere Pro

Accommodate different headers and footers in a Word document

Adobe doubles down on AR with Project Aero

Featured download

Microsoft OneNote: An insider's guide (free PDF)

OneNote, Microsoft's cross-platform notebook tool, lets you tag, flag, recognize, record, and search just about anything. This ebook looks at how you can get the most out of OneNote and what improvements lie ahead.

The latest from ZDNet

Meet the new Microsoft Phone, powered by Android (No Windows required)

Microsoft's former Windows Chief Terry Myerson joins two investment firms

New Windows 10 1809 bug: Zip data-loss flaw is months old but Microsoft missed it

​Microsoft and NAB trial biometrics for cardless ATMs

Multimedia spotlight

Photos: 20 innovative data centers that give us a glimpse into the future of computing

Today's recommended downloads

Workday HCM vs. Dayforce vs. Oracle HCM

(Select Hub)

ADP RUN Payroll vs. Top Alternatives―Competitive Report

(Select Hub)

Top Supply Chain Management Software for 2018

(Select Hub)

Top CMMS Software—Get Key Features, Recommendations & Pricing

(Select Hub)

Top HR Software for 2018 - Expert Reviews & Pricing - Free Analyst Report

(Select Hub)

Featured survey

How is cybersecurity transforming your business? Has your company been the victim of a cyberattack? Tell us! Take this 5-minute survey and get a free copy of the final research report.

A special feature from ZDNet and TechRepublic

From cloud to edge: The next IT transformation

The combination of 5G and edge computing will unleash new capabilities from real-time analytics to automation to self-driving cars and trucks.

Connect with TechRepublic

Visit the Subscription Center to get other free newsletters, manage your account settings or to be removed from TechRepublic communications.

Unsubscribe | Send Feedback | FAQ | Advertise | Privacy Policy

© 2018 CBS Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.

TechRepublic is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive, Inc.

TechRepublic

235 Second Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

U.S.A.