How to Backup and Restore Files on Windows 11 Using File History – Guide
If you’re having trouble opening a file that’s in Windows 10 or 11, it may be because it’s been backed up to a different device and you can’t access it. File history is available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, so if you have an older version of either operating system, you can use it to try to open the file. However, File History only supports up files from specific folders, such as Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. Additionally, OneDrive files stored offline on your PC are not supported.
If you need to go back up files that are not stored in the default folders, Microsoft suggests that you add them to one of these folders. If that’s not possible, consider a third-party backup utility that offers more options and flexibility than File History. Otherwise, here is how to prepare up and back up your documents, photos and important files before something goes wrong. You can no longer add more folders to Windows 10 as you could in previous versions of the operating system. If you need to go back up files that are not stored in the default folders, Microsoft recommends adding them to one of these folders: Documents, Pictures, or OneDrive for Business. If that’s not possible, consider using a third-party backup utility with more options and flexibility than File History. Otherwise, here is how to prepare your files for backup before something goes wrong: ..
How to Backup and Restore Files in Windows 11 Using File History
Backup your files with file history
Open the File History window by clicking the three lines in the top left corner of the window.
Backup your files to an external drive by selecting the drive you want to use for backup and clicking on the [OK] button.
After choosing a drive, File History will be activated. You can select Advanced settings to per up the cycle time and period of the backup settings.
How often do you want to back up your files? Select Save File Copies to back up your files once a week. How long you want to keep your files will be determined by how often you select this option.
If you don’t want to go back upselect the folders in the default settings, then create a new folder and name it " exclude “.
Click [Add] to add folders that you do not want to save copies of and select [Save changes] to save your changes.
Restore your files with File History
Open the File History window by clicking the Windows key and then clicking [Open].
If you want to restore your personal files, select [Restore personal files] from the main menu. ..
You can select a file/folder, multiple files/folders, or all folders on the backup drive to restore it. After the selection is complete, click the button [Restore] icon and then Windows will start restoring your files. ..
You can browse different versions of your files and folders by date by clicking the left arrow and right arrow icons.
Final note
This guide will show you how to backup and restore files using File History on Windows 11. If you have any questions about this article, please feel free to ask us in the comments below. Additionally, please share this article with your friends if you enjoyed it! ..
