Protecting your personal and work information on your computer is vital today, especially if you're using Windows 11. Often, we're so focused on our daily work that we forget how important it is to keep our files safe. Fortunately, the operating system itself provides several tools for automatic backups.
In this article we compile all the options for make automatic backups in Windows 11, with a special focus on File History. You'll also discover how it differs from other solutions, how to set up everything step by step, and the best tips for securing your data.
Why is automatic backup essential in Windows 11?
Securing your files is more than a mere precaution: it is a necessity. The reasons can be many: hardware failures, virus infections, ransomware attacks, human error, or accidental updates that delete unwanted items. Having an automatic backup prevents these issues and allows you to recover your work, memories, or any important documents in a matter of minutes.
Windows 11 incorporates several utilities so you don't have to worry about backing up your data every time something changes on your computer. This way you can stay calm even if the unexpected happens.
File History in Windows 11: Your Lifeline for Documents and Photos
El File History It's the automatic tool Windows 11 provides for making regular backups of your personal files. It saves versions of Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop, as well as any OneDrive files available offline. It's specifically designed for easily restoring specific documents or reverting to previous versions.
The magic is that works in the background, and you just need to connect an external drive or set up a network location. This way, your important folders will always be safe without you having to remember anything.
How do I turn on and configure File History?
- Connect an external hard drive or make sure you have access to a network location.
- Enter the Control Panel > System & Security > Back up your files with File History.
- Choose the drive where you will save your backups and click “Activate.” If it doesn't appear by default, look for the "Select drive" option.
- You can add more folders to the backup by adding them to one of the default libraries or creating a new one.
Windows will automatically back up versions of your files periodically. You can adjust how often the backup is made, how long it's kept, and which folders are included or excluded.
Advanced File History Customization
- Copy frequency: From every 10 minutes to once a day.
- Conservation time: Copies can be kept forever or for a specific period.
- Include/Exclude Folders: You have the option to select which folders are and are not included in the backup.
How to restore files using File History
- Enter in the File History from the Control Panel or search for 'Restore personal files'.
- Navigate the timeline and select the version of the file or folder to recover.
- Click the restore button. If you want to keep the current version, you can save the restored version to another location.
You also have the option to right-click on a folder or file in Explorer and choose 'Restore previous versions' to revert to any point saved by File History.
Important Note: If you restore a file, it will replace the current one with the same name. If you prefer to keep both, make a manual copy before restoring.
Third-Party Tools: When and Why Should You Consider Them?
If you need more flexibility, Third-party backup programs offer advanced features that may be useful to you: cloud backup, ransomware protection, incremental and differential backups, email backup, more detailed scheduling, and recovery to other computers.
A popular example is that of EaseUS Todo Backup, a tool that allows us to:
- Create automatic copies on external devices or in the cloud, programmed according to your needs.
- Clone disks and migrate operating systems to new disks or SSDs.
- Recover individual files, folders, or the entire system in a matter of minutes.
- Optimize space with incremental backups (only changes since the last copy) or differentials.
- Advanced protection against cyber attacks thanks to the integration of cybersecurity functions.
Some of these apps offer basic free versions and fully featured paid versions. Consider these if you need to go beyond what Windows itself allows, especially if you're concerned about cloud security or want to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule (three copies on two different media, one away from home).
OneDrive and its limitations when making automatic backups
OneDrive comes built into Windows 11 and its primary function is file synchronization between devices, not traditional backup. Although it appears to back up files, it actually keeps files in certain folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) synchronized with the cloud.
The problem is that If you delete something by mistake on your computer, it is also deleted in the cloud (and vice versa). That is, it doesn't prevent accidental data loss if you accidentally sync. It can also cause storage issues if you have a lot of data or work on multiple devices at the same time.
Still, you can use OneDrive to protect files if you turn off syncing for folders you don't want to share between devices and simply use the copy feature as manual backup storage.
Best practices and tips to protect your data in Windows 11
- Keep copies off your main computer: Use external drives, the cloud, or other locations to avoid losing data in the event of a physical disaster (fire, theft, primary drive failure, etc.).
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule: This three copies of your data, in two different types of supports y one in an external location or in the cloud.
- Automate the process whenever possible: This way, you'll avoid human error and ensure you always have a recent backup ready to restore.
- Check your backups regularly: Test the restore and confirm that the files are being copied correctly.
- Protect your copies with passwords and encryption: Especially if you use external drives or the cloud, to prevent unauthorized access.
- Don't forget your email and system settings: Many advanced tools allow you to back up your entire environment, not just documents and photos.
Remember that native Windows solutions don't currently allow for direct backups to the cloud, and restoring them is less flexible in some scenarios. Third-party tools, on the other hand, offer more advanced options and even integration with services like Google Drive, Dropbox, NAS, and others.
It doesn't matter which one you choose, the important thing is that Have an automatic copy of your files and know how to restore them when the time comesThis way, your information will always be safe, no matter what happens to your PC.