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HP PCs - Backing Up Your Files (Windows 10, 8)

This document is for HP computers with Windows 10 or Windows 8.

Backing up important software and data to an external drive, online resource, or an external location is recommended. This provides an added layer of data protection, allowing for an easier recovery time if needed.

For business computers, check with your company IT department or your local IT service for other backup solutions.

Back up folders online

Backing up your folders in the cloud synchronizes your data across multiple devices and recovers your data faster in case of loss.

Windows 10 includes OneDrive which provides free storage space up to 5 GB of files without a subscription. You need a Microsoft Account to set up OneDrive on your computer.

Other cloud storage solutions, such as Dropbox, are available to back up your data online.

Back up files in File History

File History automatically backs up files that are on your desktop and in your libraries, contacts list, and favorites. If the originals are lost, corrupted, or deleted, you can restore any or all of your files. You can also find previous versions of your files from specific dates.

You can back up your files to an external drive such as a USB memory stick or portable hard drive. Choose your operating system below for steps to back up your files to an external drive.

Backing up your files (Windows 10)

Watch the video and use these steps to back up your files for your computer with Windows 10.

Steps to back up your files in Windows 10.

Connect your external drive to the computer. If an AutoPlay window opens, close it.
Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Backup settings.
Turn on Automatically back up my files.

note:
If the Automatically back up my files toggle does not display, click Add a drive, and then click your external drive when Windows locates the drive.

Figure : Turning on automatic backup
To back up your files immediately or adjust backup settings, click More options.
- To back up your files immediately, click Back up now.
  
  Figure : Clicking Back up now
- To exclude certain folders from backups, add them under Exclude these folders.
  
  Figure : Exclude these folders area
- To adjust how often you want Windows to back up your files automatically, select an option in the Back up my files drop-down menu.
- To set how long you want Windows to keep your files, select an option in the Keep my backups drop-down menu.

Backing up your files (Windows 8)

Back up your files for your computer with Windows 8.

Connect your external drive to the computer. If an AutoPlay window opens, close it.
In Windows, search for and open Save backup copies.
To start saving backups, click Turn on.

Figure : Turning on File History
If there are specific folders or libraries you do not want to back up, click Exclude folders, and then add the items to the Excluded folders libraries.

Figure : Excluding folders
To back up your files immediately, click Run now.

File History saves a copy of your files.

Figure : Clicking Run now
To adjust the backup settings, click Advanced settings.

Figure : Clicking Advanced settings
In Advanced Settings, choose how often you want to save the copies of your files and how long you want to keep the saved versions.

Figure : Advanced settings window

Restore saved files with File History

With File History, you can restore one file or all the files you have backed up. You can also find different versions of your files from specific dates.

Connect your external drive to the computer. If an AutoPlay window opens, close it.
In Windows, search for and open Restore your files with File History.
Click the Previous and Next icons to select the backup point you want to restore.
Select the files or folders to restore.
- To select one folder: Click the folder.
- To select some of the folders: Hold the ctrl key while selecting the folders.
- To select all the folders: Right-click an empty area of the app window, and then click Select all.
- To select one or more files within a folder: Double-click the folder, and then select the desired files.
Click the Restore icon.

Windows restores the files.

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