File History is a new file backup and restore feature of Windows 8, which will become the reason to ditch all third-party file backup applications that require configuring complex data backup settings in order to seamlessly save and maintain different versions of files. It works just like Windows Restore Point, allowing you to save the User Profile folders to any external storage devices, so they can be easily restored at any time.
File History – Create Backup
The File History can be accessed from Control Panel Category view. To begin, go to Start Screen, type Control Panel, and hit enter. It will open Control Panel in Category view. Now, click System and Security.
Upon click, it will show all the system and security related tools. Just scroll down the page, and click File History.
Windows 8 recommends users to specify any external location for creating file backup. First off, plug an external drive or click Change drive to specify any remote network location. Once an external drive path or network drive is selected, it will allow you to set up File History Settings. File History feature is designed to create regular backup of All folders in Libraries, including Music, Documents, Videos, and Pictures, Desktop, Contacts, and Favorites.
By default, it saves copies of files after every hour and sets file deletion option to never delete the backed up versions. However, you can choose to change the backup time interval, keep backed up files for only specified amount of time, and select the size of offline cache (2 %, 5%, 10%, or 20% of the disk space). If you’ve set up HomeGroup network group to access and share files between home PCs, enableRecommend this drive option present under HomeGroup section. Moreover, you can view File History Event Logs to view the errors it faced during the backup operation.
The File History feature automatically detects the plugged-in external storage devices. You can choose any remote location from Change drive window, accessible from left sidebar. Here, you can add network location where you want to backup files. File History replicates the folder hierarchy of files which you choose to backup, at target location. This helps you quickly find files from backup locations by only identifying their location in source path.
The File History immediately starts moving your data to new target location, when specified from Change drive window. For instance, if you change target location from external USB storage device to Network drive, it will ask you to start moving your data to specified network location. This may prevent you from manually moving data between old and new backup locations.
File History – Restore Backups
The Restore personal files option present in navigation bar lets you view and choose files which are to restored to original locations. After connecting the backup drive, click Restore personal files and select the libraries and folders you want to restore. Once done, click Restore button (present between the navigation buttons) to start moving or replacing the files with selected version of files. File History Restore feature shows the timstamp of backup folder and files. It’s advised to verify the file version before you start the file restore process.
The Settings icon menu includes a complementary option to restore selected backed up folder to any local or remote location. Click Settings icon to select Restore to option. It brings up file browser to choose the target location. All you need is to specify the output location to start restoring files at defined location.
File History features comes integrated with Windows 8 Ribbon Explorer. If backup drive is connected, you can easily view and restore previously saved version of files from History option present in Open section of Windows Explorer Ribbon.
After the first run of File History backup operation, check the destination path to verify whether all the required folders and libraries have been backed up or not.
Create Backup Through File History On Local Drive
Windows 8 doesn’t include an option to directly create backups through File History feature on local drives. However, if you want to, let’s say, use ‘D’ drive as backup disk, all you need is to enable sharing for required drive from Advanced Sharing accessible from Properties –> Sharing window.
When drive is listed in shared locations, copy the network path of drive location and add it in Change Drive backup drive path list. On clicking OK, it will ask you whether you want to move your existing backed up files to new locations or not. Choose the required option to replace the existing backup drive path with local drive. It will now save your libraries, desktop and other items to specified local drive.
File History will definitely prove to be a handy option for creating regular backups. It not only makes it easy to manage backed up files, but also allows you to view and restore different versions of files. Being an unobtrusive backup tool, it doesn’t disrupt your workflow, as it’s programmed to silently create file backups after defined time interval.
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