Windows 8: backup with on-board equipment

If you don't feel like installing a separate backup program, you can use the backup function integrated in Windows 8. It is only important that you have at least two drives, otherwise the backup makes no sense.

Set up backup in Windows 8

You can set up a backup with little effort using the Win-8 or -8.1 control panel.

1. Open the control panel. In Windows 8 you will find this in the search, in Windows 8.1 you can right-click on the desktop start icon to open the "Control Panel".
2. In the "System and Security" tab, click on the link "Save backup copies of files with the file version history".
3. Click on "Select drive" in the left bar and select the drive on which you want to save your backup. Network drives are also suitable for this.
4. If you now click on "Switch on" on the start page of the file history, the backup starts regularly.
5. The backup automatically backs up libraries, contacts, desktop and favorites.
6. If you want to save additional folders, such as your outsourced music, it makes sense to create an additional library. Insert all the folders you want to back up in this. You can find out how to create your own library in this practical tip, which also works for Windows 8 as described.
7. It is also possible to exclude folders from the backup. To do this, click on "Exclude folder" in the bar on the left.

Restore backup on Windows 8

A big advantage of the backup under Windows 8 is that the restoration of the files works conveniently via Windows Explorer.

1. Open Explorer and click on "Start" in the folder you want to restore.
2. Then click on "History".
3. You will now see a list of versions of this folder that have been backed up. Select one and click on the green arrow below - the folder will then be reconstructed from the backup.

If you would prefer to use backup software from another provider, this practical tip will tell you which are the best.