How to configure automatic backups in Windows
By Tom Nonmacher
As a computer user, one of the most significant steps you can take to secure your data is setting up automatic backups. This ensures that even in the event of a sudden hardware failure, malware attack, or accidental deletion, your files are safe and can be quickly restored. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of setting up automatic backups in Windows.
Windows comes with a built-in tool called File History that can be used to perform automatic backups of your files. To start, you'll need to connect an external storage device to your computer. This could be an external hard drive, USB stick, or even a network location. Once the storage device is connected, navigate to the Control Panel, and then click on 'System and Security'. Under this tab, you will find 'File History', click on it to proceed.
In the File History window, you'll see an option to 'Select Drive'. Click on this and choose the drive to which you'd like your files backed up. It's generally a good idea to choose an external drive or network location, as this will protect your files even if your computer's internal hard drive fails. Once the drive is selected, click on the 'Turn on' button to enable File History.
By default, File History will back up all files in your libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites every hour. If you want to change the frequency or the folders that are being backed up, click on the 'Advanced Settings' option. Here, you can select how often File History backs up your files, how long it keeps the backup copies, and whether it should back up files that are also on your OneDrive.
To add additional folders to your backup, navigate back to the File History main window, and click on 'Add Folders'. Select the folders you wish to include in the backup and click 'Select Folder'. You can add as many folders as you like, ensuring all your critical data is included in the backup.
Remember, setting up automatic backups is only the first step in protecting your files. You should also periodically check that your backups are working correctly. To do this, navigate to the 'Restore personal files' option in File History. Here, you can see a preview of your backed-up files. By doing a quick check, you can ensure that the backup process is working correctly, and all your important data is being saved securely.
In summary, setting up automatic backups in Windows is a straightforward process that can save you a lot of headaches in the future. With a little bit of setup time, you can ensure that your files are always safe and ready to be restored whenever necessary. Remember, it's not a question of if your computer will have a problem, but when. Setting up automatic backups gives you peace of mind that when the day comes, your data will be safe.