How to Configure What’s Included in File Backup on Windows 10
Backing up your files is an essential task to ensure that your important data is safe and secure. Windows 10 offers a built-in backup feature called File History, which allows you to back up your files to an external drive or network location. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of configuring what’s included in your file backup on Windows 10.
Step 1: Accessing File History Settings
To begin, you need to access the File History settings. You can do this by following these steps:
- Click on the Start button and type “File History” in the search box.
- Click on the “File History” option that appears in the search results.
Step 2: Enabling File History
Once you have opened the File History settings, you will see a “Turn on File History” button. Click on this button to enable the feature.
Step 3: Selecting the Backup Location
After enabling File History, you will be prompted to select a backup location. You can choose an external drive, network location, or a folder on your computer. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- External Drive: This is a good option if you want to keep your backups portable and accessible from different computers. Make sure the drive is connected to your computer before selecting it as the backup location.
- Network Location: If you have a network drive or a shared folder on another computer, you can select it as the backup location. This allows you to access your backups from multiple devices on the network.
- Local Folder: If you prefer to keep your backups on your computer, you can select a local folder. However, this may not be the most secure option, as your backups will be stored on the same device as your original files.
After selecting the backup location, click “Next” to proceed.
Step 4: Configuring Backup Settings
In this step, you can configure various settings to determine what files and folders are included in your backup. Here are the options available:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Include a system image | This option allows you to back up your entire system, including the operating system, programs, and settings. It is useful if you need to perform a complete system restore. |
| Include files from these locations | Here, you can specify specific folders or drives that you want to include in the backup. You can add or remove locations by clicking on the “Add a folder” or “Remove” buttons. |
| Keep the last n versions of files | This setting determines how many versions of each file are kept in the backup. You can choose a specific number of versions or select “Unlimited” to keep all versions. |
| Keep files on this device for n days | This setting specifies how long the backup files should be kept on the backup location. You can choose a specific number of days or select “Forever” to keep the files indefinitely. |
After configuring the settings, click “Save” to save your changes.
Step 5: Scheduling Backups
File History allows you to schedule automatic backups at regular intervals. To schedule backups, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Advanced settings” link at the bottom of the File History window.
- Under the “Backup settings” section, click on the “Change settings” link.
- In the “Backup schedule” section, you can select the frequency of the backups (daily, weekly, or manually) and specify the time when the backups should occur.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
By scheduling backups, you can ensure that your files are regularly backed up without manual intervention.
Step 6: Restoring Files
In case
