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Back Up Windows with File History & OneDrive

Windows has built-in tools to back up your files to an external drive or to OneDrive, so a failed drive or a stolen laptop doesn't mean losing everything. Here's how to set them up and get your files back.

File History: back up to an external drive

File History copies your Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Desktop and other personal folders to an external drive every hour, and keeps older versions so you can go back in time.

  • Plug in an external drive One with plenty of space, ideally larger than the files you want to back up.
  • Open File History Search the Start menu for File History, or open Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
  • Turn it on Click Select drive if your drive isn't chosen, then Turn on. The first backup starts straight away.
  • Adjust the settings Under Advanced settings you can change how often it backs up and how long it keeps old versions.
control /name Microsoft.FileHistory
Opens File History directly. Type it in the Start menu or a Command Prompt.

Plug the drive in regularly. File History only backs up while the drive is connected. If it stays unplugged, Windows will remind you that your files haven't been backed up.

Getting files back

  • Restore a file or folder In File History, click Restore personal files, browse to what you want, use the arrows to pick an earlier date, then click the green restore button.
  • An earlier version of one file Right-click the file, choose Show more options > Restore previous versions, and pick a date.

Windows Backup: back up to OneDrive

Search the Start menu for Windows Backup. It can back up your Desktop, Documents and Pictures to OneDrive, along with your settings, Wi-Fi passwords and list of apps, which makes setting up a new computer much quicker.

The free OneDrive plan includes 5 GB, so you'll probably need a Microsoft 365 subscription if you have lots of photos.

OneDrive keeps your files in sync. A file deleted or encrypted by ransomware on your computer is deleted or encrypted in OneDrive too. OneDrive's recycle bin and version history can help, but an external drive backup as well is much safer.

The best protection

Use both: File History to an external drive for quick restores, and OneDrive or another cloud backup for a copy away from your home or office. Read more about the 3-2-1 backup rule, or ask us to set it all up for you.