How to Set Up Windows File History Backup

Windows File History automatically backs up your personal files to an external drive or network location. This built-in backup solution protects your Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop folders from data loss.

1. Connect an external backup drive. Connect a USB external drive or portable hard drive to your computer. The drive should have enough space to store your files multiple times over. Windows will format the drive for File History if needed.
2. Open File History settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Update & Security, then select Backup from the left sidebar. You'll see the File History section in the main panel.
3. Add your backup drive. Click Add a drive under Back up using File History. Windows will scan for available drives and display them in a dropdown menu. Select your external drive from the list.
4. Turn on automatic backups. Toggle the switch under Automatically back up my files to On. File History will immediately begin its first backup scan and start copying your personal folders to the external drive.
5. Configure backup frequency. Click More options below the backup toggle. Set Back up my files to your preferred frequency—every 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or daily. Choose Keep my backups to determine how long to retain old versions.
6. Customize backup folders. In the More options screen, review the folders listed under Back up these folders. File History backs up Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos by default. Click Add a folder to include additional directories or Remove to exclude specific folders.
7. Verify the first backup. Wait for the initial backup to complete—this may take several minutes to hours depending on your data size. Click Back up now to force an immediate backup. Check that the backup drive shows your files in a FileHistory folder structure.