How does File History backup work??

Wax Bean Tycoon · 13 Jan 2023

Hello,

So I recently changed my external hard drive, and decided to switch backup methods from Windows Backup/Restore to the "File History" method.

I do NOT plan on having the external hard drive constantly connected to my laptop, so I figure I will back up occasionally when I feel like it (every few days, or when I save a new important file).

File History is set to backup every 3 hours, but obviously that's not accurate because the external HDD will only be connected every few days when I want, HOWEVER, I just connected the External HDD to do a quick file history backup, and I noticed under File History/ "restore personal files" that it shows file history save points for times when I did not have the destination drive connected. Huh?

How is that possible? I am now questioning if file history is really, accurately saving data correctly.

I am guessing (I hate to do that), that maybe Windows is simply placing a "save marker" at those 3-hour intervals, and then retroactively saves them when the external hard drive is eventually connected. But wouldn't that mean ALL those 3-hour interval save points are the same data? so it's very misleading. They are not "incremental backups" corresponding to those points in time.

For example, if I have File History set to save every 1 hour (which is Windows default), but I only connect the external (destination) hard drive once per week, will ALL 1-hour interval save points be exactly the same data? not incrementally different for each 1-hour save point?

dalchina · 13 Jan 2023

Hi, have you considered reviewing the tutorials in the searchable Tutorial section?

Here are 2 I found for you.. the introduction has some explanatory text.
Backup Files and Folders with File History in Windows 10
Enable or Disable File History in Windows 10

More are linked below the main text.

Also have a look at the comments/questions following, as these reflect users' experience.

File History takes advantage of a feature built into the NTFS file system called the change journal to keep track of changes to files. Essentially, when any change is made to a file or folder on your hard disk, the change journal is updated with a description of the change and the name of the file or folder. So to determine which files need to be backed up, File History simply consults the NTFS change journal.

If the drive selected as the backup location becomes unavailable, such as when a USB cable is disconnected or the network goes down for maintenance, File History will continue to do its job by saving the copies to a cache on the local drive. Once the backup location becomes available again, the cached contents are transferred to that location and removed from the local drive.

Backup Files and Folders with File History in Windows 10 - incremental or what?

Interesting note on Win 11- albeit 2021- things may have changed..
Windows 11 Cripples File History to Prop Up OneDrive Backup – Review Geek

Personally I wouuld never use Windows' built-in features for backups, disk imaging etc as 3rd party tools are simply better.

Wax Bean Tycoon · 13 Jan 2023

thank you so much. the following answered my question.

How does File History backup work??-capture.jpg

that seems to explain it.

dalchina · 13 Jan 2023