Windows 10 File History vs backup
Quick Navigation: Show Overview of File History vs. BackupAs the most fundamental data recovery solution, backup is always needed. You can use built-in backup tools or third-party backup software:
Now you have a basic understanding of backup tools. How to choose between them? You can learn the elaborate differences between File History and Backup from the next part. Windows File History vs. Backup in different aspectsHere I’ll compare Windows 10 File History, Backup and Restore, and third-party backup software in three aspects, including backup contents, backup destination, recovery. You can check them in the following chart:
File History or Windows Backup? That depends on your demands. >> If you just want to backup files in your user folder, File History is the best choice. Learn a quick guide here: Backup Specific Folders in Windows 10. >> If you want an all-around backup utility that can meet your needs in different situations, AOMEI Backupper Standard is worth trying. And I'll introduce the detailed steps in the following. Best way to backup Windows 11/10/8/7AOMEI Backupper Standard is the best free backup software, which can meet all users' needs, whether you want to backup the system, disk, partition, or files. And it supports backing up to internal or external hard drives, USB flash drives, cloud drives, network location and NAS devices. In addition, you can enjoy the following advantages in all backup types: Schedule backup: You can create backups based on different frequencies, such as, daily, weekly, monthly.Save disk space and improve backup efficiency: By default, this software runs Incremental Backup after first full backup, which backs up only changed files since the last backup. And you can enjoy more space-saving features, including Normal compression, Automatic splitting, Intelligent Sector Backup, etc.Support all Windows PC operating systems: It runs well on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and the latest Windows 11.Need to protect Windows 10 system and data or the entire disk? Download AOMEI Backupper Standard and install it on your computer. For server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server. Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper Standard, click on “Backup” and select “System Backup”. Step 2. The required system partition(s) is (are) selected by default. Choose the destination path to store the backup files. Step 3. Confirm the operation and click “Start Backup”. For more advanced features to make the backup automatic and hassle-free, you can try the following: >> Options: you can enable email notification, choose the compression level for the backup image file and select intelligent sector backup or sector-by-sector backup. >> Schedule Backup: you can set the backup task to run automatically at fixed intervals. Event triggers and USB plug in are available on the professional version at least. >> Backup Scheme: it allows you to change default backup method to differential backup, which only requires one full backup or one full backup plus differential backup during recovery. And you still can delete old image files automatically with different cleanup methods. You need to upgrade to higher editions to enjoy these features. One day you may need to restore system image to new hard drive or original, follow the steps below: Go to Home, find the backup task and click Restore. Or you can click Restore on the left pane > click Select Task or Select Image File and follow the wizard to finish the recovery process. ConclusionFile History or Backup? You can learn Windows 10 File History vs. Backup in different aspects from this page. To backup files in the user folder, File History will be a great choice. To backup system, Backup and Restore is worth trying. But if you want an all-around backup software, the best option is to use AOMEI Backupper Standard. It supports all backup types including system, disk, partition and file backup. And it allows you to backup files to cloud, etc. Other than backup functionalities, it is able to clone. You can use it to clone SSD to larger SSD in Windows 10, replace laptop HDD with SSD, etc. Go for it right now! Is file history a backup?File History regularly backs up versions of your files in the Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop folders and the OneDrive files available offline on your PC. Over time, you'll have a complete history of your files. If the originals are lost, damaged, or deleted, you can restore them.
Does file History only backup changed files?A full backup is to copy all files and folders from the original location to the destination location, while an incremental backup is to back up only the files added and modified since the last backup, which is the backup method we need.
Does Windows 10 file history work?File History feature replaces Backup and Restore in previous versions of Windows and currently exists in Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. It is an application that continuously backs up the files in your Libraries, on your desktop, in your Favorites folders, and in your Contacts folders.
Should I keep file history on or off?Running File History once every hour should be enough for most people. By default File History keeps saved versions of your files, forever. If you edit, add, or remove files frequently, this setting may leave you out of storage space for backups, relatively quickly.
|