Windows 10: Are 'Backup' & 'File History' Two Different Backup Options?

Apologies if this has been asked before...As I see there are three ways one can backup their files using the default options provided by windows...1. Backup and Restore Windows 7 - goodness know why this still exists or hasn't been updates since windows 7 2. 'Backup using file history' settings/backup/backup using file history3. 'File History'It's the latter two that have me confused and there doesn't seem to be an explanation online.It seems as though 'Backup using file history' and 'File history' are the same thing - however if I open both the 'backup using file history' window and the

:)

 

issue with backup options Windows 10

Hi David,

I will certainly help with the issue you are facing with backup option.

To assist you better, kindly provide the information:

• 
  How exactly are you trying to perform back up? Is it from the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) or File History?
  
• 
  Which drive have you selected to back up? Is it an external drive or a network drive or a local drive of the system?
  
• 
  When you say 'only allows me to do another backup with the same options', which options are you referring to?
  
• 
  Are you unable to select a different drive for a backup from the backup destination list?
  

If you are using a Backup and Restore (Windows 7) option then, I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below:

• 
  Type backup and restore in the search bar and press enter.
  
• 
  Click on setup backup option.
  
• 
  Click on refresh button to check if the drives are visible in the
  backup destination list.
  
• 
  Choose the drive which you want to back up and click on
  next.
  

If you are trying to use file history I suggest you to un-plug it and restart your computer. Re-plug the external drive and check if the file history options are available.

Please get back to us with the information to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Windows 10: Difference between File history, and Backup and Restore

The title pretty much says it all. I've been going through the various backup options for windows, but I do not understand the difference between these two. They seem to have the same purpose in mind(backing up files, I've even read that file history was intended to replace backup and restore), except the former is automated and limited to what it can backup while the latter is manual but more comprehensive. Is this correct?

@downvote(s)
I don't have any flash drives to try these methods myself, but I have been looking up/reading about these backup options myself. Here is what I know:

File history

• Was meant to replace backup and recovery
  
• Only backups personal files/libraries
  
• more user friendly/ streamlined
  

Backup and recover

• predecessor of file history, same basic idea
  
• freedom to backup whatever files you want
  
• option to create a system image
  

From what I've read I think both options can schedule automated backups, the only thing that really sticks out here to me is backup and recovery's option to create a system image. From this info I want to say that backup and recovery and file history do the same thing(backup files periodically), but backup and recovery can do more of the same. My question is, am I missing something here, Is there good reason to use file history over backup and restore besides ease-of-use?

 

Backup using file history

Thanks Robeline

I was going by other advice and articles that suggest that backing up under Update and security/backup is now the way to go. I will try your suggestion.

Doug