Windows 8: Set up file version history without an external hard disk - here's how

The file version history is a practical feature: it saves files and intermediate versions of them once an hour on external data carriers such as USB sticks or network hard disks. This means that accidentally overwritten files are a thing of the past. The only problem is that the file version history only works with external data carriers or network drives, which is impractical on notebooks when you're on the move. With this trick, it also works on the internal hard disk.

In order for the file version history to work without an external data carrier, you must trick Windows into thinking that the internal hard disk is an external one. And this is how it works:

1. First you must select a storage location on the hard disk. The user folder is a good place for this. Press "Windows" + "R" simultaneously on the keyboard and type "%userprofile%" in the Run dialog. Then press "Enter".
2. In your user folder, click on "New folder". Rename the new folder to "Version history".
3. Then right-click on it and select "Share with" and "Specific people" in the context menu.
4. In the "File sharing" window, click on your user name and on the "Share" button.
5. Now tap the "Windows" button to go to the tile interface.
6. Then type in "File version history" and press "Enter".
7. Click here on the left on "Select drive" and in the next window on "Add network address".
8. Then double-click on the icon for your PC.
9. Double-click on the "Users" folder and your user folder.
10. Then click on the "Version history" folder and click on "Select folder".
11. Click on "OK" at the bottom and confirm the "File version history" message with "Yes". Note: If an error message then appears, select the folder again as described and this time click "No".

Windows now automatically switches on the file version history and creates the first backup. Windows 8 now saves all files and folders in your libraries, in the SkyDrive folder and on the desktop, as well as the Internet Explorer bookmarks. By default, this happens once an hour.

Restore old versions via file version history

In future, you will be able to restore older versions of files in no time at all:

1. Select the corresponding file in Windows Explorer (key combination "Windows + E").
2. In the menu bar at the top, click on "Start" and "History". Windows 8 then lists all saved files.
3. If the version you are looking for does not appear, click on the "Back" button. Windows will then display older versions of the file.
4. Select the file you are looking for and click on the green button in the middle to restore it.

Windows then restores the old version. Tip: Regular backups on external data carriers are all the more important in this case.

Article image above: Sergejs Rahunkos - Fotolia