File History verses Backup and Restore verses Settings

I now find it does multiple drives. So thank you to everybody who helped me.

Then I'd use external for large media files.

Thank you for your quick reply. I have three further questions:

Actually, no. Windows 10 has only one way to backup and restore, and that's File History.

File History was designed to backup earlier versions of individual files - and does that well - but it was not designed to backup all your files at the same time.

1. Not clear what you mean. Using Settings I have requested backups of C, D, and F to G. Wouldn't that require File history to make a copy all your files at the same time?
2. Microsoft recommends third-party software for making image backups.

By image back-ups I think you mean an image of the system at a certain time.

I want an incremental back-up that has a graphical interface like Time Machine where one can go back visually to see when a folder/file was available and then pick it to restore the data. So far what I see is very old software.Can you recommend one?

3. Back in XP and with the Mac, there's software that made bit-by-bit clones of your drive(s) so one could get back on the air quickly. Can you recommend one.
4. Windows is "supposed" to make a copy of system software each time you add new software--a Restore Point. I don't find that function on the CP. In fact, I don't find many of the tools I expect to find on the CP--even find the current version number. I can do all this easily on a Mac, but it seems MS, starting with Vista, has hidden so much.

Thank you.

Windows 10 has 3 ways to backup and restore ...

Actually, no. Windows 10 has only one way to backup and restore, and that's File History.

File History was designed to backup earlier versions of individual files - and does that well - but it was not designed to backup all your files at the same time. You can use File History to backup all your folders and files at the same time, but its awkward and doesn't always work well. If you want to backup all your personal files at once, you need a real backup program from a third-party.

Looking at Windows 10's other offerings:

System Restore is not a backup, and it never was.

Backup and Restore (Windows 7) was included in Windows 10 so that people who used it to create a backup in Windows 7 can restore that backup in Windows 10. It's not supported for making new backups.

System Image Builder was deprecated with the Fall Creators Update (v.1709) in the fall of 2017. Microsoft recommends third-party software for making image backups.

Hi Steve. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 9 year Windows MVP and Independent Advisor, here to help you.

They kept WIndows 7 Backup so it was backward compatible to Windows 7 which doesn't have File History

File History, Windows file and Image backup are dysfunctional and may be phased out in a future version. But they're not the best choices anyway because after ten years in forums I've seen countless times that files are lost trying to restore them, so feel obligated to recommend choices that work much better and are 100% reliable.

The safest and most reliable method is to sort your files into their User Folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, etc) and periodically drag or copy them to external or another hard drive.

Then have one other Cloud backup so your files are safe from fire and theft and easily accessible via the internet just like email. Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

You can drag 5gb for free into OneDrive app to store in the cloud where they are safe from fire and theft. You can also choose to sync the Desktop, Pictures and Documents folders (only) in Settings > Autosave.

If you install Google Drive, you can use their new Backup to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15g for free to their cloud.

Or you can drag or copy them to a USB external or flash drive.

Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-man...

Besides your files you should back up a System Image to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-ref....

There is an easy way to mount the System Image to extract files if needed. Some prefer to move their User folders off of C to make the image smaller so they stay current if you need to reimage C. Here's how: http://www.dummies.com/computers/operating-syst...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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