How to back up your files and create a restore point

A backup is a second copy of your files kept somewhere else, so one broken drive, bad update or mistake cannot cost you your photos and documents. Here you set up a backup and also a restore point, which lets Windows go back to an earlier working state.

What you need

A backup and a restore point do different jobs, and you can use both.

A restore point is not a backup. Microsoft describes it as a snapshot of system files, installed apps and settings that is not meant to affect your personal data. If the drive fails, a restore point cannot bring your photos back.

Plan on about 20 minutes. Use an external drive with more free space than the files you want to protect. Keep it somewhere safe. Better still, keep a second copy away from home, such as in the cloud.

Back up with File History

File History saves copies of your files to an external drive or a network location, and keeps older versions. Microsoft says it backs up your libraries, such as Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music, and Desktop is also listed as a default.

1. Connect the external drive to the PC.
2. Open Control Panel then System and Security. Under it, select Save backup copies of your files with File History.
3. Select Turn on. If you want a different drive, select Select drive first, choose it and select OK.
4. If Windows asks whether to move existing files or start fresh, choose the option that suits you.

The File History page should now say it is on and show when files were last copied. If Windows does not see the drive, see external hard drive not showing up.

Back up with Windows Backup

Windows Backup copies your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music folders to OneDrive, and also remembers apps and some settings. It needs a personal Microsoft account. Work or school accounts are not supported. A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, so a large photo collection may need more space.

1. Open Settings then Accounts then Windows backup. You can also search for backup in the Start menu.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account if asked.
3. Choose what to back up. On Windows 11, use Manage sync settings under OneDrive folder syncing to pick the folders, then Remember my apps and Remember my preferences for the rest. On Windows 10 the same page has similar toggles under slightly different names.
4. Wait for OneDrive to finish syncing. A sign-in, storage or sync error in OneDrive can stop the backup.

On a new PC, or after you reinstall Windows, sign in with the same Microsoft account during setup and choose to restore. Protect that account with a strong password and two-step verification. See strong passwords and two-step verification.

Create a restore point

Make one before you install a new driver, a large update or a program you are unsure about. Microsoft says System Protection is not turned on by default and recommends turning it on, so check yours once.

1. Select Start, type Create a restore point and open it. Or press Win + R, type systempropertiesprotection.exe and press Enter.
2. On the System Protection tab, select your Windows drive, then select Configure....
3. Select Turn on system protection. Use the slider to set the maximum disk space it may use, then select Apply and OK. Windows now creates restore points when needed.
4. Select Create..., type a short description such as Before new driver, and select Create.
5. Wait for the message that the restore point was created, then select Close.

Check that it worked, and go back if you need to

Bring back a file

1. In File Explorer, open the folder that used to hold the file.
2. Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions. On Windows 11 you may need to select Show more options first.
3. On the Previous Versions tab, pick a version. Select the arrow beside Restore and then Restore to... to put a copy in a different place.

Go back to a restore point

1. Press Win + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter. Or open Control Panel then Recovery then Open System Restore.
2. Select Next and choose a restore point. Select Show more restore points to see older ones.
3. Select Scan for affected programs if you want to see what will change.
4. Select Next, then Finish. Windows restarts.

If you cannot sign in to Windows, System Restore is also available from the recovery menu under Troubleshoot then Advanced options then System Restore. You may need your BitLocker key if the drive is encrypted.

If something goes wrong

• No restore points are listed. System Protection was probably off. Turn it on now and make a restore point.
• File History cannot find the drive. Reconnect it and open File History again.
• Windows Backup shows an error. Check your OneDrive sign-in and free storage.
• If the PC will not start properly after a change, see blue screen errors, fix driver problems with Device Manager or Windows Update stuck or failing.

Frequently asked questions