Keep multiple versions of folder contents with Windows File History tool

Don't miss how easy it is to have Windows keep backups of folder contents, so you can always access the set of files that you had in a folder yesterday, a week ago, last year, or even 10 minutes ago.

In Windows 11, simply search for and open File History:

Select a location on your network, or on an external hard drive. Note that while File History will be set to back up files automatically at different intervals, you have the option to initiate a backup by clicking 'Run now'. You can exclude certain directories from the backup process.

You can set files to be backed up at 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 minute intervals, or every 3, 6, 12, 24 hours. Windows can keep the backups for 3, 6, 9, 12, or 24 months, indefinitely, or until you run out of network space.

You can access the backups by selecting properties for a folder and looking under the 'Previous Versions' tab.

If you are using the home edition of Windows, it may not be possible to access the backups.