It’s even possible to restore a file to how it looked at a specific point in time.

Instructions in this article apply to computers running Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

What Does Windows File History Do?

External hard drive connected to a laptop

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File History doesnt do acomplete backup of your PCincluding system files.

Open your Windows Settingsand selectUpdate & Security.

SelectBackupon the left navigation panel, then selectAdd a driveunderBackup using File History.

Open your Windows Settings and select Update & Security.

Choose the drive you want to use for backup.

You will now see an active slider button labeledAutomatically back up my filesunderBackup using File History.

Choose how frequently you want File History to save a new copy of your files.

Select Backup on the left navigation panel, then select Add a drive under Backup using File History.

Choose how long you want to keep your File History backups.

Scroll down further to see a list of all the folders File History backs up.

If you want to remove any of these folders, select them once.

Choose the drive you want to use for backup.

To add a folder, selectAdd a folderbelowBackup these folders.

You should now see an active slider button labeled Automatically back up my files under Backup using File History.

Select More options under Backup using File History.

Choose how frequently you want File History to save a new copy of your files.

Choose how long you want to keep your File History backups.

Scroll down further to see a list of all the folders File History backs up. If you want to remove any of these folders, click on them once, then select Remove.

To stop using File History, select Stop using drive under Backup to a different drive.

Enter Restore your files in the Windows search box and select Restore your files with File History.