Windows 8: Create backup on NAS server - how it works
Often it makes sense to create a backup of Windows 8 on an external storage medium. A NAS server that integrates as a network drive in Windows is suitable for this. In this article we will show you how to create such a backup using Windows standard tools.
The new backup mechanism: file version history
The shadow copy model known from previous versions of Windows was replaced in Windows 8 by the file version history. This service - also known as FileHistory - works in the background and automatically backs up predefined Windows libraries.
- At the beginning you have to mount the NAS server as a network drive in Windows 8. To do this, go to "This PC" and click on "Computer" -> "Map network drive" in the top menu bar. Then enter the address of your server and enter a suitable letter for the drive.
- Next, you need to activate file version history. You can find this under "Control Panel" -> "System and Security" -> "File Version History". On the left you can select the drive on which the backup is to be created. If you have several external storage media, select the NAS server there.
- Under "Advanced Settings" you determine how often a copy of a file is created and how long these file copies should remain on the NAS server.
Include folders in the Windows library
By default, file version history only creates backups of libraries, desktop, contacts, favorites, and OneDrive. However, you can expand the library without much effort. To do this, right-click on a folder. You can expand the library with the entry "Include in library".
- Extend existing libraries: If, for example, you have images or videos on several hard disks, you can add them to the corresponding library. These "new" folders are then linked to the corresponding library and added to the later backup.
- Create new library: If none of the predefined libraries fit, you can also create a new library. This then appears in the "Favorites" library.
