How to enable automatic backup in Windows File History

Losing your most important files due to a system failure or malware infection is one of the worst digital nightmares. Fortunately, it is possible. Enable automatic backup in File History of Windows. That is, through the File History.

In this article we will explain in a complete and detailed way how to activate this automatic backup, both in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Not only with the File History resource, but also using other media.

What is a backup and why is it so important?

A backup is simply a duplicate of your important data that is stored in a secure location other than the original. This may be a external hard drive, a network drive, a service cloud storage or even another partition within the same computer (although the latter is not recommended in cases of system failure).

Windows is able to do the process of enabling automatic backup in File History automatically, preventing you from forgetting to copy your documents periodically or losing previous versions of your files. Thanks to File History and other tools built into the system, Setting up a backup system without manual intervention is easier than it seems..

Windows File History: The Easiest Option

The most direct way for users to achieve this goal is to enable automatic backup in Windows File History. This tool is part of the system from Windows 8 onwards and is present in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.Its function is to automatically save documents, photos, videos, music, and any files found in the user's folders, as well as OneDrive data available offline.

Its main advantage is that allows you to recover previous versions of a file, even if it hasn't been deleted. This is ideal if you've modified a document and want to revert it back to how it was before. For this to work properly, you need an external storage device or a shared network folder.

Here are the steps to enable automatic backup in Windows File History:

1. Connect an external drive (USB or hard drive) or make sure you are connected to a network location.
2. Accede to Configuration.
3. Then select Update and security and, within this menu, the option Backup.
4. Choose “Add a drive” and choose the device where to store the copy.
5. Activate the option “Automatically back up my files”.

From “More options” you can customize the frequency with which the backup is made (by default every hour), the time they will be kept (forever or for specific periods), and add or remove folders to include or exclude from the backup.

To restore files using this same tool, proceed as follows:

1. Go back to the section Backup in the Configuration.
2. Click on "More options" and then in “Restore files from a current backup.”
3. Finally, choose the document, folder or set of files you want to recover and press the restore button (green icon). You can use the arrows to select previous versions.

Remember When restoring, the current version of the file will be overwritten, unless you restore it to a different location.

Backup and Restore (System Image)

If we can't or don't want to enable automatic backup in Windows File History, there's another classic tool we can use: the system image, reintroduced by Microsoft in Windows 10. It is a particularly useful method for Fully recover your PC after a system failure, infection, or reinstallation. It also allows you to restore your system to a new hard drive if you change the hardware.

To create a system image backup, do the following:

1. First access Control Panel.
2. Go to Security system and select the option Backup and Restore.
3. Then click on “Create a system image” in the side menu.
4. Choose the destination: external hard drive, DVD, or network location.
5. Select the partitions you want to include (system partitions are selected by default).
6. Confirm and click on “Start backup”.

Then, to restore from a system copy, proceed as follows:

1. Restart your computer from the installation media or from the Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Choose “Solve problems.”
3. then go to “System Image Recovery”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore from the saved image.

Note that This restore erases all current content on your computer, replacing it with the exact state at the time of the copy.

File History vs. Backup and Restore

Which is better? Enabling automatic backup in Windows File History or using a system image? Both tools serve to protect your data, but each has different objectives.Here is a comparative summary:

• File history: Ideal for automatic document backups, recovering previous versions, and frequent backups. Operating system not included.
• Backup and restore: Allows you to save the entire system. It's used for full recovery, but doesn't save intermediate versions or perform automatic incremental backups.

Use third party software

If you're looking for a more professional and versatile solutionSome programs offer advanced features, such as incremental backups, differential backups, encryption, restore points, and scheduled task management. These are the best:

EaseUS Todo BackupIt's popular for its ease of use and advanced features. It allows you to make complete backups of files, partitions, systems, or entire disks. You can also choose to save locally, on a network, on a NAS, or in your own cloud.

AOMEI BackupperAnother great alternative with professional options geared toward both home and technical users. It allows for automatic synchronization, disk cloning, universal restore, and even automatic backups when connected to a USB drive.

Acronis True Image. It stands out for being an all-in-one solution with anti-malware protection and cloud storage. Although it's paid, it offers a very robust solution with integrated security using artificial intelligence.

Additional tips to keep your data safe

• Disconnect the external drive after each backup to prevent ransomware from encrypting it as well.
• Schedule backups regularly, depending on how often you work with new files.
• Check from time to time that the copies are being made correctly and that you can access them without any problems.
• Don't rely exclusively on a single copy. It is always better to have redundant backup.

Protecting your data has never been easier. The best way to do this is to enable automatic backup in Windows File History, and don't rule out professional solutions if your information is critical.