To backup files on a network, you can use File History, a built-in feature in Windows 10. Follow these steps to set it up:
1. Connect to the network: Make sure your computer is connected to the network where the backup location is located. This can be a local network or a remote network location.
2. Open File History settings: Click on the Start button and go to Settings. Then, click on Update & Security and select the Backup tab.
3. Add a drive: Under the “Looking for an older backup?” section, click on “Add a drive.” This will allow you to choose the network location where you want to store your backups.
4. Choose a network location: In the list of available drives, you should see your network location listed. Select it and click on “Ok” to confirm your choice.
5. Customize backup settings: Once you have selected the network location, you can customize the backup settings by clicking on “More options.” Here, you can choose how often you want File History to back up your files, how long to keep the backups, and which folders to include or exclude.
6. Start the backup: Once you have customized the backup settings, click on the “Back up now” button to start the backup process. File History will now start backing up your files to the network location you specified.
It’s important to note that the network location you choose should have enough storage space to accommodate your backups. Additionally, make sure you have the necessary permissions to access and write to the network location.
Benefits of using File History for network backups:
1. Automatic backups: File History can be set to automatically back up your files at regular intervals, ensuring that your data is always up to date.
2. Version history: File History keeps multiple versions of your files, allowing you to restore previous versions if needed. This can be useful in case of accidental file deletion or data corruption.
3. Easy file recovery: If you ever need to restore a file or folder, you can easily do so using File History. Simply navigate to the backup location, select the desired file or folder, and click on the “Restore” button.
4. Seamless integration with Windows: File History is integrated into the Windows operating system, making it a convenient and reliable backup solution. You can access File History settings directly from the Settings app, and it works in the background without interrupting your workflow.
It’s worth mentioning that File History is designed primarily for personal use and may not be suitable for large-scale network backups. In such cases, you may want to consider using dedicated backup software or cloud-based backup solutions that offer more advanced features and scalability.
In my personal experience, I have found File History to be a reliable and convenient way to backup files on a network. It provides peace of mind knowing that my important data is being regularly backed up to a secure location. I have used it to recover accidentally deleted files and restore previous versions of documents, saving me from potential data loss. File History is a valuable tool for network backups in a Windows environment.