Windows 10: How To Back Up?

I see. Does that mean every time a Windows 10 Pro wants to backup their files they must create a new system image each time? Doesn't this take a very long time for all users???

 

A system image backs up the Windows drive. For files only, you would want to use Windows Backup, File History, or any 3rd part backup program you like. Backing up files only using either one of those options would allow you to create incremental backups like you wanted.

 

Right. What I meant to say was "incremental backup" so thanks for saying that!

I don't want to use a 3rd party tool so how can I access "Windows Backup, File History"?

 

The context menu in the second tutorial below can make using Windows Backup easier. The first tutorial can help show you how to use Windows Backup. It's for Windows 8, but the steps are the same in Windows 10 as well.

• Backup Files in Windows 8
• How to Add or Remove a Windows Backup and Restore context menu in Windows 10

File History is a more advanced version of Windows Backup. You might try it first. For more about File History:

• https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
• How to Reset File History to Default in Windows 10
• How to Select a File History Drive in Windows 10
• How to Exclude Folders from File History in Windows 10
• How to Manually Create a File History Backup in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Folders to be Backed Up by File History in Windows 10
• How to Change how Often to Save File History in Windows 10
• How to Change how Long to Keep File History in Windows 10
• How to Restore Files or Folders using File History in Windows 10
• How to Delete Older Versions of File History in Windows 10
• How to Recommend File History Drive to Homegroup in Windows 10

 

Thanks so much!

So if I use "File history" would this give me the ability to make incremental backups instead of always needing to create a new "system image" when I want to backup?

 

You're most welcome. *Smile

Yes, but just to clarify that "system image" and "file history" are two completely different types of backups.

System Image = Backup of Windows installation by backing up the Windows drive and any drives you include. This is not the same as "Windows Backup".

File History = Incremental backups of all files in included folders.

 

Thank you so much for staying with me!

I just discovered that there's another backup method in Windows 10 Pro when I go into "Control Panel -- Settings -- Backup" Is this "File History" but with a different name?

 

If I use "File History" to backup, will it also backup all of my Windows settings like my preferences I've set in "Taskbar" and my font settings I've set in "Control Panel" and so on?

What's the point in using "System image" if I need to create a new system image each time I want to backup? It takes so much time to backup a whole new system image.

 

Nope.

Please go ahead and read the information at the top of the tutorials I posted to get a better idea of what they are for to help. *Smile

 

Thanks!

I'm running "File History" to do a backup for the first time right now. It's created a folder on my external USB HDD called "FileHistory" but when I go inside the folder I can't see any of my files? How can I make sure that my files have been backed up?

 

You're most welcome. *Smile

I'd say using step 4 below would be the easiest way to browse your file history files and verify.

How to Restore Files or Folders using File History in Windows 10

 

Thank you, sir! I just finished reading your link.

I just want to know one thing. When I go into "Control Panel --> Settings --> Backup" and let's say I add the "Downloads" folder from my C:\, would that mean that the "Downloads" folder is also added to the backup function located in "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\File History" ?

Thanks again!

 

That would be correct if added to File History and not Windows Backup. *Smile

 

No. The two methods of backing up your files are completely independent. You can set Backup & Restore to back up particular folders and File History to back up others without their settings affecting each other.

Backup & Restore is included in Windows 10 for backward compatibility with backups made with earlier versions of Windows, plus it's the only native way to make system images.

For files and documents Microsoft (and I) recommend File History, though there's no reason you can't use File History as well as Backup (or a 3rd-party alternative) - I do.

(you can never have enough backups)

 

Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean?