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Use Windows Backup to carry selected folders and settings to a new or reinstalled PC through your Microsoft account and OneDrive. Use File History to save personal-file versions to an external drive or network location so you can recover an earlier copy. They do different jobs and can complement each other; neither is a complete system-recovery solution.
Windows Backup vs. File History at a glance
| Your goal | Better fit | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Bring selected folders and preferences to a new or reinstalled PC | Windows Backup | Connects selected folders and settings with your Microsoft account and OneDrive, and can offer a restore during PC setup. |
| Recover an earlier version of a personal file or folder | File History | Saves copies to an external drive or network location and lets you browse available versions. |
| Cover both setup restoration and file-version recovery | Both | Use each for its distinct purpose rather than treating them as substitutes. |
| Recover Windows after a serious operating-system problem | Neither alone | Use the relevant Windows recovery option; these features are not a complete system image or recovery plan. |
Microsoft’s descriptions and instructions are available for Windows Backup and File History.
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What Windows Backup saves—and what it does not promise
Windows Backup is designed to associate selected user folders and certain Windows preferences and app information with your Microsoft account and OneDrive. You sign in with a Microsoft account, choose supported folders to back up to OneDrive, and select the settings to remember. The listed categories include installed apps, accessibility, accounts and Wi-Fi information, personalization, language preferences, and other Windows settings. Options can depend on account type and available OneDrive storage.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →When setting up a new or reinstalled PC, sign in with the same Microsoft account. Windows can offer a backup to restore, and if multiple PC backups are available, you can choose one. This is not a promise that every installed program will be recreated exactly: app pins may return, Store apps can be reinstalled from their pins, and non-Store apps may prompt you to download an installer. Files backed up to OneDrive are available when you sign in to that OneDrive account.
#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.
For Microsoft’s current steps and account qualifications, see Back up and restore with Windows Backup.
What File History saves—and where it keeps it
File History copies personal files from libraries to an external drive or a network location. It is useful when you need to find an earlier version of a document or restore a file you changed or deleted. It is not the same as syncing selected folders and settings for setup on a new PC.
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.
File History’s scope matters: it backs up libraries, including standard and custom libraries. A folder outside them will not be included unless you add that folder to a library. Microsoft’s setup instructions are in Backup and restore with File History.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow to set up each option
Set up Windows Backup
- Sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account.
- Open Windows Backup and choose which supported user folders to back up to OneDrive.
- Select the settings and preferences you want Windows to remember, then check that your OneDrive account has available storage for the selected folders.
Controls and available choices may vary with Windows build and account configuration. Microsoft’s guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 11, but Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; verify the available controls on your installed release.
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.
Set up File History
- Connect an external drive or configure a network location to use as the backup destination.
- Open Control Panel, go to System and Security, and open File History.
- Turn File History on. Add any folders you want protected outside the included libraries to a library.
You do not need to buy a drive if you already have a suitable network destination. Microsoft’s File History instructions cover Windows 10 and Windows 11 and note that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so check your installed release for the controls available.
Restore the kind of data you need
Restore folders and preferences during PC setup
On a new or reinstalled PC, sign in during setup with the same Microsoft account used for Windows Backup. If Windows offers a backup, select the relevant PC backup. Files stored through OneDrive can also be accessed by signing into that OneDrive account. App restoration can involve reinstalling rather than returning the original program installation intact.
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.
Restore an earlier file version with File History
- Open the folder where the file or folder used to be.
- Use Restore previous versions to open the available File History versions.
- Inspect the versions and choose the one you need. Use Restore to put it back in place, or Restore to… to save the recovered copy elsewhere.
Microsoft warns that a direct restore replaces the current file or folder version and cannot be undone. Choose Restore to… if you want to preserve the current copy.
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Neither option replaces Windows recovery
Windows Backup and File History address selected data and setup-restoration needs; they should not be relied on alone to restore the operating system and every installed program after a serious Windows failure. Microsoft documents separate recovery options, including System Restore, reset, and reinstalling Windows. See Backup, restore, and recovery in Windows to choose a recovery route for the problem you face.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
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