Set up a drive for File History
Before you start using File History to back up your files, you'll need to set up a drive to save files to. We recommend that you use an external drive or network location to help protect your files against a crash or other PC problem. For more info about using File History, see How to use File History.
File History only saves copies of files that are in your libraries, contacts, favorites, Microsoft SkyDrive, and your desktop. If you have files or folders elsewhere that you want backed up, you can add them to one of your existing libraries or create a new library.
To set up a drive
Connect an external drive.
Open File History by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering File History in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking File History.
Tap or click Turn on.
Tip
You can also set up a drive in AutoPlay by connecting the drive to your PC, tapping or clicking the notification that appears, and then tapping or clicking Back up your files on this drive. For more info, see AutoPlay: Frequently asked questions.
To set up a network location
Open File History by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering File History in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking File History.
Tap or click Change drive.
On the Change your File History drive page, tap or click Add network location.
In the Select Folder dialog box, browse to or enter a location, tap or click Select folder, and then tap or click OK.
If there aren't any folders listed, and you see a message at the top of the dialog box saying that network computers and devices aren't visible, tap or click it, and then select Turn on network discovery and file sharing.
Notes
To help avoid filling up your File History drive too fast, you can set how often files are copied and how long older versions of your files are kept. For more info, see What if something goes wrong in File History?.
If you don't want a folder backed up, you can exclude it from File History. Open File History by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering File History in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking File History. Tap or click Exclude folders, tap or click Add, and then select the folder you want excluded from backups.
