File History is off Windows 10
Backing up your files and folders is a good habit. If your system crashes or the files become corrupt or inaccessible, you can use the backups. The traditional way of creating backups is by creating a system image. That isn't feasible every time and needs huge space. Show
Fortunately, al,l editions of Windows starting from Windows 8 offer the File History feature. This lets you back up important files on an external storage device. If you are curious about the File History feature and want to use it, this post will elaborate on how to enable it on your system. What Is the File History Feature in Windows?Microsoft released the File History feature for Windows 8 and has since improved it over the years. The File History feature allows you to create a backup of essential files and folders on an external storage device. It is different from a system image or Windows backup because it backs up only specific files and folders, rather than duplicating the complete C: drive. Usually, the File History feature backs up Documents, Music, Pictures, Downloads, Videos, offline OneDrive files, and Desktop folders. But you can add more folders you want to back up using File History. Is Windows File History Any Good?Yes. The File History feature is undoubtedly a much-needed feature for Windows users. Earlier, you could only rely on manual backup of folders on an external storage drive. Or you could create a Windows backup, but that would be huge in size. The File History feature lets you preserve the contents of the most important folders, where most apps save their files. You can also add additional folders, which is a crucial feature that was missing when Microsoft introduced File History for Windows 8.1. File History will routinely backup your files and folder using the default setting, but you can make changes to it. For example, you can exclude folders you don't want to backup, change the backup frequency, or even add more folders. What Happens When File History Is Turned Off?File History is not active by default when you install Windows. You need to enable the feature by accessing the Control Panel or the Settings app. When File History is off, Windows won't automatically back up the data in Documents, Music, Pictures, Downloads, Videos, offline OneDrive files, and Desktop folders. You can either create manual backups of these folders on another drive or enable File History to do the same. However, remember that you will have to keep the external storage drive connected at all times to ensure scheduled backups. How to Enable or Disable File History in WindowsYou can enable File History in Windows using the Settings app, Control Panel, Group Policy Editor, or the registry. Here's the explanation of each of these methods. 1. Using Windows SettingsWindows 8.1 and 10 offer the complete File History options inside the settings app. You can use it to enable the file history feature, customize the storage device and frequency, and add or remove folders. To enable File History using the settings app, do as follows:
2. Using Control PanelWindows 11 removed the complete File History option present inside the settings app. Microsoft shifted many settings in Windows 11, but you can access File History using the Control Panel. From there, you can enable/disable the feature as well as manage all the settings. To enable File History using the Control Panel, do as follows:
3. Using Group Policy EditorIf you have Windows Pro or Enterprise version can use the Group Policy editor to enable File History on your system. It's not available by default on Windows Home; however, there is a workaround to access the Group Policy Editor in Windows Home, so be sure to do that before continuing.
4. Using the Registry EditorYou can use a simple registry tweak to activate File History on your system. However, you should always create a registry backup before making adjustments. Check our guide on how to back up your registry for more information. To enable File History using the registry editor, do as follows:
Use File History To Backup Important FilesThese were the multiple methods to enable or disable File History on Windows. You can try enabling the feature using the Settings app. If you have Windows 11, you can enable it using Control Panel. You can also try using the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor to enable or disable File History. How do you turn on the file history on Windows 10?File History in Windows. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. ... . Enter File History settings in the search box, and then select File History settings.. Select Select a drive, and choose the network or external drive you want to use.. Turn on File History.. Why can't I turn on file history?If File History is not working on Windows 10, update your computer to the latest OS version. Then, restart the Indexing Service, and install the latest driver update for your external hard drive. Additionally, run SFC to repair corrupted system files.
How do I restore my file history?In the search box on the taskbar, type restore files, and then select Restore your files with File History. Look for the file you need, then use the arrows to see all its versions. When you find the version you want, select Restore to save it in its original location.
How do I reconnect my file history drive in Windows 10?To reconnect your drive
Reconnect your File History drive to your PC. Tap or click to open File History. Tap or click Reconnect drive.
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