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More secure with Windows 8 (Part 1): How to set up a time machine for files

November 23, 2012
Updated: April 14, 2022
Quick overview:
More secure with Windows 8 The file version history

Win 8 backs up files on external drives - via file version history.

In terms of security, the developers have under the hood and gave Windows 8 new functions - which significantly enhance the OS compared to its predecessor. Windows Tweaks presents the security features. Let's start with the file version history, i.e. Microsoft's "Time Machine". It brings deleted files back to life and restores previous versions.

Version history for deleted files and old versions

Apple users have the Time MachineWindows 8 users can use the File version history. This data recovery function automatically backs up files and intermediate versions to external data carriers such as USB sticks or network hard disks. Once activated, Windows 8 backs up edited files once an hour, although other intervals can also be selected. In the event of an emergency, recovery is completed with just a few clicks.

With the file version history you can...

  1. ...recover deleted files: Accidentally and irrevocably deleted a file? With the version history, you can restore an earlier version of the folder in which the file was saved with just a few clicks.
  2. ...restore previous versions: Accidentally saved a file even though the previous version was better? No problem, you can undo bad improvements with just a few clicks. Old versions can be easily restored.

How to set up the file version history

1. for the file version history to work, Windows needs a second hard disk. This can be a USB drive or a network hard disk. Tap the "Windows" button to go to the new start screen. Then type in "File version history" and the search function will start. Then click on "Settings" and then on "File version history".
Version history1

2. now select "Select drive" and decide on the backup drive for saving the files. Click on "OK". Back in the file version history window, click on "Switch on". The message "File version history is switched on" appears. Windows 8 will now save all files and folders in your libraries, in the SkyDrive folder and on the desktop, as well as the Internet Explorer bookmarks.
Version history2

3. to add further folders, click on "Exclude folder". The "Add" button appears here, which you can use to add any folder to the file version history.
Version history3

4.Windows 8 now performs the backup silently in the background. It runs quite slowly by default. So that Windows is not slowed down, you can speed up the process considerably by clicking on "Run now".
Version history4

5. to change the backup interval, click on "Advanced settings". After clicking on "Every hour", you can select a shorter time interval from the drop-down menu, for example. Apply the changes by clicking on "Save changes".
Version history5

How to restore files

Have you accidentally deleted and changed a file? Here's how to restore the old version in no time at all:

1. select the relevant file in Windows Explorer (Windows + E). Then click on "Start" and "History" in the menu bar at the top.
Version history6

2 Windows 8 will now display the previously saved files in the version history. If the original file is further back, click on the "Back" button to display even older versions of the file.
Version history8

3 Once you have found the correct file version, click on the green button in the middle to restore (see image). Windows will then restore the old version.
Version history9

4 Windows then asks whether you want to keep the newer, faulty file or overwrite it with the old one. In the second case, simply click on "Replace file in destination".
Version history9b

5) If you want to have both files, click on "Compare info for both files". In the new window, select the files and click on "Next".
Version history10

6.has nothing helped? In this unlikely event - or if the hard disk has a serious defect - there are still specialists who can help. Recovering data from Windows systems can.

(Photos: The article image is from David Baker, Fotolia.com. The screenshots below were taken privately).

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