Always store media used for backups external hard disks, dvds, or cds in a secure place to prevent unauthorized people from having access to your files. When file history feature is on, the file history window will show a green band. If you want to back up only your data operating systems and programs can be reinstalled, though its mildly time and effortconsuming, a. However, the selected drive must always be inserted for the feature to work in the. How to create a windows 8 backup using file history pcmag. Restore backups with windows 8 file history dummies. Windows 8 as well as other operating systems can be saved directly while working even system files with a builtin windows 8 backup software. Using file history and windows image backup are just the tip of the iceberg. After you set up file history, you can just connect an external drive to your computer and windows will automatically back up your. Dell backup and recovery application comes in two versions, basic and premium. Crashplans software will backup to peers and local storage at no cost. If you used backup and restore to back up files or create system image backups in previous versions of windows, your old backup is still available in windows 10. How to back up files with windows 10s file history pcworld.
We have shown you how to use the file history tool, and now coupled with the file recovery utility, you can utilize multiple methods to set up windows backup in windows 8 to keep your files, folders and system image available should you need to restore them. File history backup is basically the restore point feature of older versions fused with a svncvsgit for keeping versions of files. But if you need to restore the system, you will not be able to run a recovery program on nonworking operating system, so you will need a software to boot in recovery mode. Windows backup is a common term for all datasaving operations related to microsoft windows, from simple file copying to online backup of such components as registry, libraries or ms outlook to complete backup of a whole disk image. Windows 10s primary backup feature is called file history. Reasons you need file history alternative will be discussed later, and here is a brief guide to backup windows 8 with file history feature. Rather, it focuses on making sure that your personal files are backed up. File history is windows 10s main backup tool, originally introduced in windows 8. Its purpose is for simple and automated data backups. File history was first introduced in windows 8 and continues to be the primary builtin backup solution in windows 10. The best and free file history alternative on windows 1087. After all, apps and programs can always be reinstalled. But if it works just like back up and restore used to where i can use an external drive, and the users just plug it in at night.
Windows 10s file history is an easy way to get started with backing up your personal files since it comes builtin to your system. It is an application that continuously backs up the files in your libraries, on your desktop, in your favorites folders, and in your contacts folders. To keep your files safe, file history automatically makes. The dell backup and recovery application enables the user to backup and restore their data with just a few clicks. The new windows 8 backup program, file history, emphasizes saving your own data, not your apps and programs.
And, even though backup and restore is available in windows 10, file history is still the utility microsoft recommends for backing up files. Windows 8 includes a terrific new features called file history, which lets you reclaim lost versions of your modified or deleted files. How to create a windows 8 backup using file history. How to backup data in windows 10 using file history.
Set up file history backup in windows 8 in this video i will show you step by step on how to set up file history in windows 8. Like other windows utilities scan, reader, windows defender, etc. How to use windows 8 file history for better automated backup. A previous tip showed how to create a system image in windows 8. Click on more options to change file history s defaults. It wasnt one of the more publicized features, but windows 8 actually comes with a brandnew backup feature called file history, that works similar to apples time machine.
Iperius backup is said to run on windows 10, windows 8, and windows server 2012, but it will likely run on earlier versions of windows, too. File history feature replaces backup and restore in previous versions of windows and currently exists in windows 8, 8. File history provides a basic level of functionality for people who dont know how or. Using file history, windows 8s builtin backup tool. One of windows 8s most useful but lessdiscussed features is file history, which automatically backs up files and lets you restore them from a. Handy backup can do it all, securely and conveniently for a user. It is a replacement of ntbackup, which was included in previous windows versions. Do not back up files to the same hard disk that windows is installed on. I think i will stick with windows bakup for now as i have had so many problems with smartware for years, unless any of you provide a compelling reason for staying with smartware or unless, there is a great new update tto smartware i do have the latest version of it now. How to back up your computer automatically with windows 10. I know of no automatic software way to reenable that external device.
It offers recurring copying of files you use to a secondary drive as backup. But many of the moments that inspired so many of your photos, videos, and documents can never be recreated. How to backup file versions in windows 8 using file history. How to use windows file history to back up your data. Do i need both win 10s file history and win 7s backup. Normally operations could be achieved with its internal backup tool. Actually, i found windows backup file history much faster than smartware. In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel. Well go over how to setup file history and see how easy it is to use revisions. Automatically backing up your files to an external drive is easy after file history has been set up. File history doesnt create a full backup of your entire pc. File history is a new feature in windows 8 that helps to ensure that your personal files are safe. File history in windows 8 is easy to setup, powerful, and reliable. Well, it depends on what kinds of backup you need for windows 8.
Download iperius backup several of the options you may find in this free version of iperius backup actually only work in the paid, full version. Ive been going through the various backup options for windows, but i do not understand the difference between these two. The basic version comes preinstalled on all systems and. I will also explain how to exclude libraries and folders from the backup, in windows 8 file history we have already covered a tutorial that explains how to set up and add drive for file history in windows 8. Backup and restore formerly windows backup and restore center is a component of microsoft windows introduced in windows vista and included in later versions that allow users to create backups and restore from backups created earlier. As the previous tip described, an obscure feature called windows 7 file recovery for creating system images was tucked away in windows 8. You can use it to automatically backup files to external, internal or network connected storage and restore them at a. I just got an external hard drive recently, and im new to back ups with one. They seem to have the same purpose in mind backing up files, ive even read that file history was intended to replace backup and restore, except the former is automated and limited to. File history in windows 8 will make copies of your data files, such as your documents, photos and music files. In this tutorial, i will explain how to restore files with file history in windows 8. Despite the name, file history isnt just a way to restore previous versions of filesits a fullyfeatured backup tool. In this video ill show you how to backup files in windows 8.
For example, do not back up files to a recovery partition. Search for recovery from the start screen, then windows 7 file recovery create a system image backup l. But if you need to restore the system, you will not be able to run a recovery program on nonworking operating system, so. Using windows 8s hidden backup to clone and recover your whole pc.
Using windows 8s hidden backup to clone and recover. How to use all of windows 10s backup and recovery tools. Since windows 7, microsoft has offered a convenient way to back up your data to an external drive connected to your pc. These are the two types of backup that you can make in windows 8. In this tip, i will give the new way to make a system image. Windows file history backs up your documents, music, photos, videos and other files in the libraries folder. How to use windows 10 file history to back up data. If you had a choice to make would you keep file history, or windows 7s back up system. File history versus dedicated backup software microsoft. How to back up your data using windows file history make. File history periodically every hour by default scans the file system for changes and copies changed files to another location.
Windows 8 should open the same file restore screen that allows you to see all saved versions and choose the one you need. Theres also file history, a backup option that came along first in windows 8. This will let you backup your data periodically to a, nas drive. File history provides a basic level of functionality for people who dont know how or are too afraid to install software. You set up file history to back up all your files to an external drive and then you really.
By default, windows 10s file history will back up all the folders in your user folder, back up your files every hour as long as the. From above information, there are some differences between windows 10 file history vs backup software. If you know how to use file history, you can quickly recover deleted documents, photos, music, and more. However, the selected drive must always be inserted for the feature to. Set up windows backup in windows 8 to save files and folders. File history takes snapshots of your files as you go and.