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AutoVer is a free Windows utility that watches folders you choose and copies saved file changes to a backup destination. You can keep timestamped versions, browse or compare earlier copies, and restore one when needed. It protects selected files—not an entire Windows installation—so use it as one layer of a backup plan, not as a complete disaster-recovery solution.
What AutoVer backs up—and what it does not
AutoVer monitors selected folder trees and copies changed files to a destination you configure. The destination can be another folder, a drive, a memory stick, a network drive, or an FTP server. Its overview describes the behavior this way: “Every time you save a file it is copied to your backup folder, drive or FTP server.” See the official overview and the official repository.
This is file-level backup: it can preserve working files such as documents and project files, but the documentation does not describe a whole-device system image or a way to rebuild Windows and all installed applications. AutoVer is also supplied “as-is” without a warranty, according to the author’s documentation. Do not rely on it as your only protection against drive failure, theft, malware, or other loss.
Choose a destination and a focused set of files
Pick a destination with enough space for both your current files and any history you plan to retain. A separate drive is a practical option; a removable memory stick may suit a smaller collection, while network drives and FTP are also listed as supported destinations. Storage hardware is optional—the software does not require a particular brand or device.
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Start with folders containing important work rather than watching the entire Windows drive. The author advises against monitoring the Windows drive root, the Windows folder, swap files, and highly active temporary or cache locations because repeated changes can create substantial work and slow the machine. The documentation suggests excluding temporary files such as *.tmp; treat that as setup guidance, not a measured performance guarantee.
Set up AutoVer
AutoVer’s configuration supports one or more watched folder trees, an optional initial backup, include and exclude masks, file-size limits, backup checks, version timestamps, and cleanup behavior. Exact labels can vary by release, so use the installed program’s help alongside the official overview and repository.
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- Check compatibility. The official help lists Windows 7 SP1 or later and .NET Framework 4.8. The GitHub releases page currently shows v3.0.1 at the top and lists Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 11 with .NET 4.8: AutoVer releases. These details were checked on September 28, 2026.
- Install AutoVer and select a destination. Choose a folder, separate drive, memory stick, network drive, or FTP location for copies. A destination on the same physical drive as the originals is convenient, but it will not protect against failure of that drive.
- Add a watched folder. Select the document or work folder you want monitored. Add only folders whose saved changes you actually need to preserve.
- Review filters and limits. Set include or exclude masks, file-size limits, and backup checks as appropriate. Exclude transient files such as
*.tmpwhere they do not need version history. - Choose whether to make an initial backup. If enabled, AutoVer can create a baseline copy before relying on later saved changes.
- Configure versioning and retention. Select a versioning mode and review the version-rate and cleanup/archive settings before allowing the history to grow.
- Verify the destination and recovery workflow. Confirm that files appear where expected, then use Backup Explorer to browse a file’s available versions and check that you can open or restore a prior copy.
Understand the versioning modes
AutoVer’s Versioning Tab documents three modes. The distinction is whether it stores no history, versions every backup copy, or preserves the prior backup when replacing it. Details are in the official Versioning Tab help.
| Mode | What happens | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| None | Makes a straight backup without timestamped versions. | When you want a current backup copy but do not need older states. |
| Version all | Timestamps all backup files, retaining successive copies as versions. | When you want a fuller history of changes and have storage for it. |
| Version previous | Timestamps the old backup before replacing it with the new copy. | When you want the previous state preserved as each new copy replaces it. |
A version-rate limit can control how often AutoVer keeps a new version; changes within the same selected interval may overwrite one another rather than each becoming a separate saved point. Retention settings can keep or delete older versions, or archive them using ZIP or 7-Zip options. Choose those controls based on how much history matters and how much destination space is available.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
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Browse, compare, and restore an earlier file
AutoVer includes Backup Explorer and supports opening, comparing, and restoring previous file versions. To recover an earlier state, browse the relevant file’s history, identify the timestamp that predates the unwanted change, and open or compare that version before restoring it. If you are uncertain, copy the older version to a separate location first so you can inspect it without overwriting the current file.
Restore behavior can depend on the selected versioning and destination settings. Check the resulting file and confirm it opens correctly; a successful copy is not by itself proof that an application’s complete data set is intact.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Keep AutoVer in a broader backup plan
AutoVer’s documented feature set is useful for automatically preserving changes to selected files and retrieving an earlier copy. It does not establish protection against every cause of data loss, and the author disclaims warranty and liability for loss. For important data, keep another copy on a separate device or location rather than treating one watched folder and one destination as sufficient protection.
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