[blind-philly-comp] How to activate and use the built-in Windows 10 back-up feature

From: David Goldfield <david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 24 May 2019 00:23:13 +0000

Articles on TechRepublic - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 11:13 AM

How to activate and use the built-in Windows 10 back-up feature

Criminal activity targeting personal computers continues to grow at an alarming
rate. Even the most basic of back-up systems can prevent future headaches.

[istock-904007396cloudstorage.jpg]

Image: nicomenijes, Getty Images/iStockphoto

According to the annual The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report
2019<https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-businesses-plan-to-protect-themselves-against-cyberattacks/>,
which surveyed 5,400 business professionals, some 61% of respondents reported
that their businesses were hit by a cyberattack in the past 12 months. In an
era where one careless click of a malicious link can lock you out of your hard
drive, backing up your computer's files and important data is imperative and
should be standard operating procedure.

More about Windows

While numerous sophisticated back-up applications are available, many taking
advantage of network and cloud services, Microsoft Windows
10<https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-the-smart-persons-guide/>
offers a built-in back-up feature that is simple to activate and use. The only
requirement beyond the built-in application is a viable storage device, which
can range from a USB thumb drive to a fully functional NAS
system<https://www.techrepublic.com/article/add-storage-capacity-beyond-the-cloud-with-the-drobo-5n2/>.

This how-to tutorial shows you how to activate, set up, and use the built-in
backup file history feature of Microsoft Windows 10.

SEE: Windows 10 security: A guide for business
leaders<http://www.techproresearch.com/downloads/windows-10-security-a-guide-for-business-leaders/>
(Tech Pro Research)

Activate built-in Windows 10 back-up feature

The back-up file history feature is located in the Windows 10 Settings menu
under Update & Security. Right-click or tap the Start button located in the
bottom left corner of a typical Windows 10 desktop and then click the Settings
icon to reach the main Windows Settings screen shown in Figure A.

[aactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr4.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/15792d22-fd5a-4ad9-ab23-bf37ecdea69c/resize/770x/ce11fa50b31723ff9294925d64df54e8/aactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="aactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure A

Click the Update & Security item and then click the Backup entry in the left
navigation screen, as shown in Figure B.

[bactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/15f9fb9f-7f2c-45b1-a56e-68b70427d880/resize/770x/ab29e23193bd3daa1422d3d26708e888/bactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="bactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure B

Click the Add a drive button located under the first section to reach the
configuration screen shown in Figure C. You will be presented with a list of
available drives currently connected to your computer.

[cactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/4ef10b04-3dbe-4cd6-8ef8-1c527c093648/resize/770x/f9378a264d249b4e0d289727d6e7a9cf/cactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="cactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure C

To change devices, or access network storage, you will need to explore some
deeper settings. Click the More options link under the Back up using File
History section of Figure B, and then click the See advanced settings link to
reach the screen shown in Figure D. This Control Panel screen is where you can
fine tune your back-up settings.

[dactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/a936aaed-deeb-40a5-b76d-751c79b7c0c5/resize/770x/9c9bc3a515de4b04958042f9ae1f7681/dactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="dactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure D

The primary screen shows the current back-up settings and provides a button to
turn on or off the feature. If you are looking to restore files, this is also
the screen you want to use.

This screen (Figure D) also allows you to choose a storage device using the
Select drive link. Only this screen (Figure E) grants you access to devices
located on the local network.

[eactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/d79490dc-fb4f-4e77-b94f-7fcbdd6c0139/resize/770x/237cc8ee6094fbf6fe69880b38239020/eactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="eactivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure E

The Exclude folders link on the Control Panel configuration screen (Figure D)
allows you to designate specific folders as off limits for back up. And the
Advanced settings link takes you to a screen (Figure F) where you can fine tune
exactly how often and how long your want to back up files in your specified
directories.

[factivatewin10backupfeature.jpg]<img
src="https://tr3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2019/05/20/18646a32-5586-42a3-903b-7c9f0b47ab39/resize/770x/9e3c99caa0741408bfb45205842897e6/factivatewin10backupfeature.jpg";
class alt="factivatewin10backupfeature.jpg">

Figure F

The Microsoft Windows 10 built-in back-up feature is not the most feature-rich
back-up and archiving system available by any stretch of the imagination, but
it does work simply and effectively, and it is included as part of the
operating system. It can be used as a satisfactory basic alternative until a
more sophisticated solution can be implemented. Inexorably, the criminals
publishing malware are not going to wait for you to get your act together.

[https://tr4.cbsistatic.com/fly/bundles/techrepubliccss/images/article-NLSthumb.jpg]
Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

Be your company's Microsoft insider with the help of these Windows and Office
tutorials and our experts' analyses of Microsoft's enterprise products.
Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays

Sign up today Sign up today
Also see

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-activate-and-use-the-built-in-windows-10-back-up-feature/#ftag=RSS56d97e7

David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist

Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info<http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.info>

[blind-philly-comp] How to activate and use the built-in Windows 10 back-up feature

Other related posts: