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File History in Windows 11 saves versions of personal files to an external drive or a network location. Set it up in Control Panel, make sure the folders you need are included in a library, and use Restore previous versions to recover an earlier copy. If Windows asks you to reconnect the drive, the first step is to reconnect the selected destination.
What File History does—and what it does not back up
File History protects personal files by saving versions to a destination you choose: an external drive or a network location. It is not a whole-PC backup, and it does not automatically include every folder on the computer. Microsoft’s guide covers both Windows 11 and Windows 10: Backup and restore with File History.
By default, File History saves files in libraries such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music. If a folder elsewhere on the PC should be included, add it to an existing library or create a library for it. In File Explorer, right-click the folder, choose Show more options, then Include in library.
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Use the destination you can keep available when backups need to run. An external drive is a directly connected local device; a network location is storage reachable over your network. Microsoft documents both options, but individual drive, NAS, and network configurations may differ.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
| Destination | Best fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| External drive | You prefer a directly attached device. | Keep it connected when you want backups to run; reconnect it if Windows reports it missing. |
| Network location | You prefer storage available over your network. | Make sure the PC can reach the location; reselect it in File History if needed. |
Turn on File History in Windows 11
- Connect the external drive or make sure the network location is configured and accessible.
- Open Control Panel, then go to System and Security > Save backup copies of your files with File History.
- If Windows has not selected the destination you intend to use, select Select drive, choose the external drive or network location, and confirm. Windows may offer to move existing files to the new drive or start fresh.
- Select Turn on.
To back up a folder outside the default libraries, add it to a library as described above. Check that the destination is available before expecting File History to save new copies.
Fix the “Reconnect Your File History Drive” notice
Microsoft’s documented notice is “Reconnect Your File History Drive in Windows.” For an external destination, connect the drive. For a network destination, open Control Panel > System and Security > File History and reselect the network location. See Microsoft’s steps in Reconnect Your File History Drive in Windows.
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- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- 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 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.
After reconnecting the destination, you can wait for the next scheduled backup or select Run now in File History to start one immediately. If the destination is a network share and the PC cannot access it more broadly, Microsoft’s general network-sharing guidance suggests checking that the computers are on the same network and that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled as applicable. Those checks are general network troubleshooting, not a guaranteed File History fix: File sharing over a network in Windows.
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- In File Explorer, open the folder that used to contain the file.
- Right-click the folder and choose Restore previous versions.
- Select a saved folder version that contains the file. Choose Open in File History if you want to inspect the saved contents.
- Select Restore to put the saved version back in its original location. To keep the current copy and save the older one elsewhere, expand Restore and choose Restore to….
Restoring in place replaces the current version, and Microsoft warns that this replacement cannot be undone. Choose Restore to… when you do not want to overwrite the current file.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- 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.
File History or Windows Backup?
These are separate Windows backup routes, with different setup screens and destinations. File History uses an external drive or network location to save versions of personal files. Windows Backup is configured through the Windows Backup app or Settings; it can send selected Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders to OneDrive, and back up selected apps, settings, and preferences. Check which feature you configured before following instructions. Microsoft explains the distinction in Backup, restore, and recovery in Windows and documents Windows Backup at Back up and restore with Windows Backup.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- 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.
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