How to use Windows File History to recover deleted files

File History is a free tool integrated into Windows, available since the Windows 8 era, designed to recover accidentally deleted files. This tool is particularly useful for those who work with important documents and fear losing them due to deletion errors.

File History differs from a traditional system backup because it does not save Windows, programs, or settings, but focuses exclusively on saving multiple versions of the same files. This makes it similar to the "history" function of Google Docs, but applicable to any folder on your PC.

If you modify a Word document over the course of weeks, File History saves all intermediate versions, not just the last one. This is particularly useful for recovering previous versions of modified or deleted files.

To work, File History requires an external or network drive to save file copies. Once configured, it works autonomously, detecting changes, creating new versions of changed files, and adding new files since the last save. It does not duplicate files that have not been modified, thus taking up less space than one might expect.

The save frequency is configurable, from every 10 minutes to once a day, with a default setting of every hour. Versions are kept indefinitely, unless you specify otherwise, making this tool also useful for recovering very old files that you thought you no longer needed.

File History is particularly suitable for folders of limited size, such as Documents, Downloads, and similar. It is not the right choice for backing up large photo libraries or folders of hundreds of gigabytes, for which there are dedicated solutions.

Prerequisites

• Operating system: Windows 8 or later version
• External or network drive: Additional storage unit to save file copies
• Disk space: Sufficient space on the external or network drive for file versions

PROCEDURE: Configuring and Using File History in Windows

At the end of this guide, you will be able to configure and use File History to save and recover previous versions of your files.

Configuring File History

• Open the Control Panel of Windows.
• Search for and select File History.
• Click on Add a drive and select the external or network drive you have connected.
• Click on Start to begin the configuration process.
• Select the folders you want to include in the backup. By default, the Documents, Desktop, Downloads, and Images folders are selected.
• Configure the save frequency. You can choose between every 10 minutes, every 30 minutes, every hour, every 3 hours, or once a day.

Using File History

• To view previous versions of a file or folder, right-click on the desired folder.
• Select Properties.
• Go to the Previous Versions tab.
• View the available versions and select the one you want to restore.
• Click on Restore to recover the selected version.

Using the File History Graphical Interface

• Browse through the saved file versions in carousel format.
• Select the desired file and click on Restore.

Verification and Troubleshooting

After configuring File History, it is important to verify that it works correctly and know how to proceed in case of problems.

How to Test if It Works

• Modify a test file: Create or modify a file in one of the folders monitored by File History (e.g., Documents, Downloads).
• Wait for the save: Wait the configured time for the automatic save (default every hour).
• Check the versions: Right-click on the folder containing the modified file, select "Properties" and go to the "Previous Versions" tab. Check that a new version of the file is present.
• Recover the file: Select the previous version of the file and click on "Restore" to verify that the recovery process works correctly.

What to Do if It Fails

• Check the drive connection: Make sure the external or network drive is correctly connected and accessible.
• Restart File History: Disable and re-enable File History from the Control Panel to resolve any temporary issues.
• Check the settings: Verify that the correct folders are selected for backup and that the save frequency is set correctly.
• Use the graphical interface: If you have problems recovering files through the folder properties, try using the File History graphical interface.

Educational Summary and Invitation to Practice

At the end of this guide, you will have understood how to use Windows File History to protect your important documents and recover accidentally deleted files. Here are the key points to remember:

• Preventive configuration: Activate File History before losing important data. It is not retroactive.
• External drive required: Make sure you have an external or network drive to save file copies.
• Simple recovery: Use the folder context menu or the File History graphical interface to restore previous versions.
• Limitations to know: It is not suitable for backing up large amounts of data, such as photo libraries.
• Direct access to files: The saved files are readable even on another computer without a Microsoft account or cloud.

Now that you know the advantages and features of File History, configure it on your PC and start protecting your important data. The security of your files is just a click away!