Backup computer to external hard drive in Windows 8.1

lot of these websites keep changing the content of their links to reflect Windows 10, not Windows 8.1.

File History is for files.

System Image Backup is the lot

How to backup files:

Open File Explorer from the Taskbar > Go to the file/s you wish to save > right click on it > hover Mouse Cursor over Send to > select an external Hard Drive or Memory Stick that you have plugged in to save them to.

_____________________________________________

"Set up a drive for File History and Restore files or folders using File History"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/set-drive-file-history

"Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Backup Data with File History"

http://www.7tutorials.com/introducing-windows-8-how-backup-data-file-history

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Use System Image Backup

You can still use System Image Backup in Windows 8/8.1.

I personally don't use it as there are often problems with it when Restoring an Image.

"System Image Backup in Windows 8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/system-image-backup-in-windows-8-1.html

"Windows 8.1 Tip: Use System Image Backup"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-use-system-image-backup

"Restore a System Image in Windows 7 and 8/8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/restore-a-system-image-in-windows-7.html#reimage

______________________________________________

These are quite good programs to use for Complete PC Backup and are free:

"EaseUS Todo Backup Free"

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

"Welcome to EaseUS Todo Backup Manual"

http://www.todo-backup.com/support/help/

http://www.todo-backup.com/download/docs/User\_Guide.pdf

______________________________________________

"AOMEI Backupper Standard"

http://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html

"Configure and automate AOMEI Backupper in Windows"

https://www.winhelp.us/configure-aomei-backupper-in-windows.html

_____________________________________________

"Macrium Reflect Free"

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

"Macrium Reflect Tutorial"

http://www.macrium.com/webtutorial/tutorial.asp

Cheers.

That aim is on hold for now.

I've got the problem that on trying to open any Office 365 file (especially Word, Excel or Outlook) in its original location or in the EHD, Windows first says 'Updating Office' then 'Unable to open the application (0xc0000142)'.

Currently I'm intending to ask my local dealer to fix the problem.

I can now report that File History has completed its work and as a minimum safety measure I now have the files (or the contents of the Libraries, Desktop, Contents and Favourites) backed up. After that backup there is still 415 GB free on the 465 GB external hard drive (EHD).

My next aim is to investigate whether I can create a "System Image backup" on the same EHD.

Thanks very much.

First I clicked on the first link given but came across the same problem, that the contents of Control Panel as per Instructions (8 items) were different from mine (50 items).

Then I clicked on the first of the 50 items (alphabetically listed) which was called Action Centre, read the content and then clicked so as to turn File History on, having connected my external hard drive with 464 GB free. It's currently copying. There's no progress bar. The destination is the EDD mentioned and the sources are, I quote, Libraries, Desktop, Contracts and Favourites.

As a laymen, I have to ask whether these sources mean, as a layman would put it "Everything on my computer"? (specifically, all files and all Microsoft-Outlook content)