How to Enable File History on Windows 11

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Connect your external storage device

   Plug your external hard drive or SSD into an available USB port on your PC. Ensure the drive is formatted with the NTFS file system for compatibility with File History requirements.

   Note: A drive with at least double the capacity of your data is recommended.
2. 30 sec

   Open the Control Panel

   Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Control Panel, and press Enter. Click on the System and Security category to locate the File History options.

   Note: Win + R > control
3. 1 min

   Access File History settings

   Click on File History within the System and Security menu. If your connected drive is detected, the system will display the drive name and current status. If no drive is detected, click Select drive to manually designate your storage device.

4. 30 sec

   Activate the service

   Click the Turn on button to begin the automated backup process. File History will now initiate the first backup of your libraries, desktop, favorites, and contacts.

   Note: The initial backup may take significant time depending on the volume of your data.
5. 1 min

   Adjust advanced settings

   Click Advanced settings in the left navigation pane to define the backup frequency and retention period. Select how often to save copies and how long to keep the saved versions before they are deleted.

   Note: Keeping saved versions for longer periods requires more storage space.