Choose Windows File History or Backup

Amy Dennis

Jan 24, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

There is no doubt that living without the Backup of your valuable data is nearly impossible. Data is vulnerable to multiple entities, which include virus attacks, hardware failures and many other strange causes. Windows is never behind in giving its users the facility to treat all the problems. There are variety of Windows built-in tools but file history and Backup are one of the most rated tools of Windows. They are surely a solution for fundamental data recovery. You can go through the guide and find out which one is the best for you.

Part 1: Overview of file history and Backup

Windows file history and Backup are no doubt one of the most utilized tools in Windows 10. Before you compare both of the tools, you need to know the basic features of Windows file history and Backup to get to know each one of it in detail. Once you have a basic overview of the tools, you will be given a section where all their features will be properly compared. Read the overview properly.

1. File history

File history is famous for automatically creating incremental backups of files stored in libraries, including those for users participating in a Homegroup. It creates backups to a different storage device. It can be an external hard drive or even network share. In file history, you have the option to add other folders or exclude some of them that you don't want. This feature is prominent in Windows 8 and the upcoming versions.

2. Backup and restore

Backup and restore feature are utilize by the users who strive to create system image backups as well as file or folder backups. Due to this Backup and restore utility, you can simply restore your system and personal data from backups that you have previously made. This feature first came in Windows vista, it replaced NTBackup. It wasn't available on Windows 8.1 but was again prominent in Windows 10.

Part 2: Windows File history vs Backup

The basic understanding of both the built-in tools of Windows was essential before coming to this part. Once you have had the basic understanding of File history and Backup & Restore, you can easily choose between both the tool. There are a vast number of differences between both of the tools, which are mentioned below. We will be comparing File history and Backup in three aspects;

1. Backup Contents

First of all, we will be comparing them upon backup contents. When we are talking about file history, it takes a regular backup of your desktop, which includes documents, music, photos, videos and other files that are saved in your user folder. On the other hand, Backup & Restore is known for conducting much larger tasks. It allows you to backup the whole system. You can backup entire drives as well as files in your user folder. You can use Backup & Restore to create a system repair disc.

2. Backup Destination

File history is the tool which makes Backup of your data on an external hard drive or your homme network. If you are planning to make a backup on an internal drive, then file history isn't the option for you. When it about Backup & Restore, it can support backup destination such as internal and external hard drives. It also supports the network location. Both of the tools have a deficiency that they both do not support cloud drives as backup destination.

3. Recovery

We have compared both the tools when it came to backup content and destination. However, recovery is also an essential part of the process. File history creates a complete history of your files. In case the originals are lost, damaged, or deleted, you can restore them effortlessly. You can also restore the previous versions of files and folders if they haven't been lost or deleted. In case of Backup and Restore, it gives you the utility to restore files to the version backed up on the date you select. Sometime computers malfunction, you can utilize Backup and Restore to restore the system image.

Part 3: Choose AOMEI Backupper for Windows

You have gone through the capabilities of both the built-in tools. One gives you the choice of internal hard drive as destination backup and one gives you the choice of making regular Backup of your desktop. Can there be any software which can have all the features in one? Yes, AOMEI Backupper is the software which has all the features of Windows file history and Backup & restore and much more.

AOMEI Backupper

You need the professional version of AOMEI Backupper as it provides complete and reliable PC backup and restore strategies for any of the windows version. System Clone, Backup Scheme, Dynamic Disk Backup, Dissimilar Hardware Restore, Merge Images etc. and many others diverse and useful features are available. Not only the Backup, but the software allows you to you to auto sync USB drive when connected with File Sync. The software is compatible to almost every operating system. There are vast number of functions which this software contains. You can conduct incremental or differential Backup for the schedule task, this software allows you to set backup schedules as hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. However, safe backup is one of the most prominent features of this software. You can surely use AOMEI Backupper to create any type of Backup in Windows 10. Follow the steps to do so;

Step 1: First of all, download and install AOMEI Backupper professional on your computer. Once you have done that, launch the software properly by clicking on the icon. Next, you need to choose the option "Backup" and then "System backup".

Step 2: In the next step, you need to select the destination disk and click "Next". The require system partitions are selected by default.

Step 3: Once you have chosen the destination disk, you can make several changes by your own. You can either enable email notifications and choose the compression level for the backup image file and select intelligent sector backup or sector-by-sector backup. You can also schedule your Backup to daily, hourly, weekly or monthly. You can also use the scheme option clear disk for new backups and delete the old ones. After all the modification, click on the option "Start backup" and the process will initiate. This process might take some time.

Step 4: You can also restore your Backup by going to "Home" and find the backup task and click "Restore". You can also click restore on the left panel and click "Select task" and follow the instructions to finish the process.

Conclusion

All tools given by Windows surely serve some purpose, it is up to you that how efficiently you use them. In case, built-in tools are not fulfilling your requirements. AOMEI Backupper is the finest option that you can cherish when it comes to Backup.