How to Set Up Automatic Backups in Windows
Beginner
How-To · Windows
Turning on File History so your files are protected without having to remember to back them up manually.
- Connect an external drive you're willing to dedicate to backups, or set up a cloud storage folder as your backup destination.
- Search "File History" in the Start menu, open it, and select your backup drive when prompted.
- Turn File History on — by default it backs up your Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, and Favorites automatically, on a recurring schedule.
- Click "Advanced settings" to adjust how often it saves copies (as often as every 10 minutes) and how long it keeps old versions before cleaning them up.
- Add any additional folders you want covered beyond the defaults by including them in one of your Libraries first.
- Periodically check that backups are actually running — a drive that's been disconnected for a while will silently stop backing up until it's reconnected.
Running into an error instead of just needing the how-to? Check our Windows troubleshooting guides or the error lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need external storage for automatic backups, or can I use cloud storage?
Either works — File History traditionally uses an external or network drive, while OneDrive-based backup uses cloud storage instead. Cloud storage has the advantage of protecting against physical damage to your PC location.
How much storage do I actually need for backups?
It depends on how much data you're backing up and how many versions you want to keep — as a rough guide, having at least as much backup space as the data you're protecting is a reasonable starting point.
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