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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchTo set up File History in Windows 11, connect an external drive or prepare a reachable network location, then open Control Panel > System and Security > Save backup copies of your files with File History and select Turn on. File History saves versions of supported personal folders so you can recover deleted files or earlier copies; it does not back up the entire PC.
Before you turn on File History
Choose where the copies will be stored: an external drive or a network location. If File History does not have a destination selected, Windows will prompt you to select one. A destination that is disconnected or unreachable cannot receive new copies.
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File History covers supported libraries, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music. Microsoft’s Windows 11 guidance also identifies Desktop as an essential folder. It does not automatically include every folder on the computer or create a full system image.
Check folders you want protected
If a folder you care about is outside the included libraries, add it to an existing library or create a library for it. In File Explorer, right-click the folder, select Show more options, then Include in library. Check that the folder is included before relying on File History to keep versions of its contents.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Set up File History with an external drive
- Connect the external drive to the Windows 11 PC.
- Open Control Panel, then go to System and Security > Save backup copies of your files with File History.
- Select Turn on. If Windows has not selected a destination, choose Select drive, select the external drive, and confirm.
- If prompted, choose whether to move existing files to the new destination or start fresh.
Microsoft’s setup instructions do not specify a required drive brand, model, or capacity. Choose a destination suitable for your own files and keep it available when you want File History to save updates.
Set up a network location
File History can save copies to a network location. Choose or configure a reachable shared folder as the destination in File History. If you need to map a network drive in Windows 11, open File Explorer and select This PC > More > Map network drive. Choose a drive letter, browse to or enter the folder path, and optionally select Reconnect at sign-in.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If Windows cannot reach the share, check that the host is turned on and that your account has permission to access it. Network shares vary, so the mapping steps do not establish a universal setup or security configuration for every home network.
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Restore a deleted file or an earlier version
- In File Explorer, open the folder that contained the file. If the folder was at the root of a drive, right-click the drive instead.
- Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.
- Select a saved version that contains the file or content you need. Use Open in File History to preview it if you want to check before restoring.
- Select Restore to put it back in its original location, or choose Restore to… to save it elsewhere.
For an item included in a library, use its saved location in File Explorer rather than right-clicking it from inside the library. Restoring over a current file replaces that copy. Microsoft Support warns: “The file or folder replaces the current version on your computer, and the replacement can’t be undone.” Choose Restore to… if you want to avoid that replacement.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Fix “Reconnect Your File History Drive”
- External drive: Reconnect the drive to the PC.
- Network destination: Open Control Panel > System and Security > File History and reselect the network location.
- After reconnecting: Wait for the next scheduled backup or select Run now.
Choose the right Windows backup or recovery tool
Windows includes several tools with different purposes. File History is the relevant option for personal-file versions; use another tool when the goal is settings backup or Windows recovery.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| File History | Saves copies of personal files to an external drive or network location and supports restoring earlier versions. |
| Windows Backup | Backs up selected folders and items such as themes, settings, apps, and Wi-Fi information to OneDrive using a Microsoft account. |
| System Protection | Creates restore points for Windows system files and settings. |
| Recovery Drive | Creates USB recovery media for Windows recovery; it does not include personal files. |
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