This article explains how to create a backup copy of files on a computer running Windows 10. You can back up your files using the Windows 10 "File History" feature and an external hard drive or USB stick.
Steps
Step 1. Connect an external memory drive to your computer
Plug the cable end of the external hard drive into a USB port on your computer.
If you have chosen to use a USB stick, insert it directly into one of the free ports on your computer
Step 2. Launch the Settings app
Click on the "Start" button
located in the lower left corner of the desktop, then click on the "Settings" icon
Alternatively, you can press the key combination ⊞ Win + I
Step 3. Click on the icon
Update and security.
It is characterized by two curved arrows. It is usually placed at the bottom of the window.
Step 4. Click on the Backup tab
It is listed along the left side of the "Settings" window.
Step 5. Click the Add Drive button
It is gray in color and located at the top of the "Backup" tab. The computer will scan for all external drives currently connected to the system. In this case it should detect the USB hard drive or memory stick you connected to your computer.
Step 6. Select the drive you will use for backup
Click on the name of the external hard drive or USB stick displayed in the "Select drive" drop-down menu. This will set the drive as a backup device.
Step 7. Click on the "More Options" link
It is located below the "Add Drive" button. A new backup job settings page will appear.
Step 8. Click the Back Up Now button
It is gray in color and is located at the top of the page. This way Windows 10 will start the file backup procedure by storing the data on the indicated drive.
You can check the space occupied by the backup file by looking at the "Backup size" section visible at the top of the page. If the free space on your backup drive is less than required, you will need to delete some of the files it contains before you can continue
Step 9. Change how often to backup
Click the "Back up files" drop-down menu, then choose one of the listed options.
To avoid being disturbed while you work, choose the option Everyday.
Step 10. Choose how long you want the backup files to be kept inside the drive
Click on the "Keep backups" drop-down menu, then choose one of the available options.
You can choose the voice As long as no space is needed to have the program automatically overwrite a previous backup file when needed.
Step 11. Click on the "Back" button
It is located in the upper left corner of the "Backup" window. The backup process will continue in the background.
When you need to restore a backup, click on the "More options" link from the "Backup" tab, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Restore files from a current backup" link
Warnings
- Do not disconnect the external hard drive and do not turn off the computer until the data backup process is complete. Otherwise the backup will be interrupted and you will run the risk of corrupting the data on the external drive.
- Backup files normally take up a large amount of disk space, especially if you are in the habit of keeping previous backups as well.
