Does Windows 8 have backup feature?

Microsoft has the Backup and Restore feature present in Windows 7 and introduced a new backup tool for Windows 8.1/8 known as File History. This advanced backup feature is capable of automatically safeguarding your data once you've configured Windows 8.1/8 automatic backup and connected an external hard drive to your PC.

Why should you create automatic backup on Windows 8?

Data backup serves as a basic process to guarantee the safety of computer data. Creating PC auto backups enables you to keep your data up-to-date without the need for human intervention. Here are some advantages of setting up automated file backup on Windows 8:

• File recovery: Automatic backups allow you to restore your file to a previously stable state if any critical files are corrupted.
• Seamless access file in a new computer: If you decide to change your computer, having file backup makes it easier to access file in the new computer without any loss.
• Protection against viruses: Backup solutions can help you recover your data in case of a malware attack, such as ransomware, which can encrypt your files and render them inaccessible.

How to perform Windows 8 automatic backup in 2 free ways

You can set up Windows 8 automatic backup through 2 free ways: one is using the Windows 8 built-in tool File History, and the other is using professional yet free third-party software. You can read the following details to choose one according to your needs.

• Method 1. Set Windows 8 automatic backup via File History

• Tip: How to restore backups with File History

• Method 2. Set Windows 8 automatic backup using free software

• Tip: How to restore backups with free software

• Frequently asked questions about creating Windows 8 auto backup

• #1. Why Windows 8/Windows 8.1 Backup and Restore is missing?

• #2. How to backup Windows 8 files before upgrading to 10?

Method 1. Set Windows 8 automatic backup via File History

With the built-in File History utility, you can backup files to an external hard drive or network drive with ease. You can follow these steps to initiate the backup process using File History:

1. Go to Settings > access the Control Panel.

2. Under the section labeled System and Security, select Save backup copies of your files with File History.

3. Navigate to the Select Drive section on the left-hand menu, where you can designate the removable disk, such as an external hard drive or USB, as the destination for your backups. Once selected, click OK to confirm the choice.

❋Tip: You have the option to save the backup either on an external disk drive or on a network. If you choose to save the backup on a network, you will need to click Add network location to browse and add the desired location. Enter the network credentials when prompted and click OK.

4. Proceed to the Advanced settings on the left panel. Within the Save copies of files tab, choose the desired backup frequency and then click Save changes.

5. After completing the setting, click Turn on to commence the backup process. The File History will conduct the backup at the scheduled time.

Tip: How to restore backups with File History

You can easily restore files with File History by following these steps:

1. Click on the Search icon > type Restore Files in the search box.

2. From the search results list, select Restore your files with File History.

3. Search and locate your backup, then select it. Click the refresh button located at the bottom to initiate the restoration process.

Method 2. Set Windows 8 automatic backup using free software

While File History facilitates the backup of file data, CBackup, an alternative Windows 8 backup software to the built-in tool, offers a more comprehensive range of capabilities. It allows you to set scheduled backups with flexible modes, like daily, weekly, and monthly, and you can start an auto backup at a specific time like 10:00 AM. And there are some useful features of this tool:

With this tool, you can back up specific files/folders and individual disks such as C Drive and external drives, and even create full PC backup.

It allows for the backup of large files without encountering any file size restrictions.

Additionally, its File Filter feature enables users to selectively exclude or include particular file types for backup.

It supports you to backup to safe clouds like CBackup Cloud, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

With its diverse set of advanced backup functionalities, CBackup proves to be an excellent tool that should not be missed. Now, follow the steps below to set up auto backup on Windows 8 to cloud like OneDrive:

1. Download the free CBackup desktop app and launch it. Create a CBackup account and sign in to its desktop app.

2. Access the Storage tab, select one cloud like OneDrive and then click Authorize Now. Follow the instructions to securely connect your OneDrive account to CBackup.

3. Navigate to the Backup tab and choose Backup PC to Public Cloud.

4. In the New Backup Task interface, select the desired files and folders for backup. Set OneDrive as the backup destination.

5. Click on Settings at the lower left corner > access Scheduler to set up automatic OneDrive backups and then initiate the backup process by clicking Start Backup to do auto backup on Windows 8 easily.

Tip: How to restore backups with free software

You can easily restore files with CBackup by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the Tasks tab, locate your OneDrive backup task, and click the three-dot icon > select the Restore option.

2. On the Ready to restore window, select a backup version and navigate to the files or folders you want to restore.

3. Then select restore destination, you can choose to restore files or folders to the original location or other location.

❋Tip: If you choose to restore to another location, you need to click Select > to choose a target folder.

4. Now, you can click Start Restore to make CBackup restore your data.

Frequently asked questions about creating Windows 8 auto backup

Here are some common inquiries often raised concerning Windows 8 automatic backup. Please refer to the following response for detailed guidance on resolving these issues.

#1. Why Windows 8/Windows 8.1 Backup and Restore is missing?

The Backup and Restore feature in Windows 8/8.1 is missing or not included by default because Microsoft made significant changes to the backup functionality starting with Windows 8. Instead of the traditional Backup and Restore tool, Microsoft introduced a new feature called File History, which offers a more streamlined and efficient way to automatically backup Windows 8.1/8.

#2. How to backup Windows 8 files before upgrading to 10?

Before upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 10, it's important to back up your data to prevent any potential data loss during the upgrade process. You can use File History to backup your Windows 8 files to an external drive or network, or backup your Windows 8 files to OneDrive/Google Drive/Dropbox and more cloud drives using CBackup as described before.

Conclusion

Setting up Windows 8 automatic backup can offer advantages in various ways. We have outlined two effective methods for creating automated file backup: using File History and CBackup. While File History is a built-in backup solution that facilitates automated data backup to an external hard drive or network location, it does have certain limitations - it can only backup files/folders.

For comprehensive backup, it is advisable to utilize third-party backup software such as CBackup. It is a user-friendly backup service that offers a wide array of backup options for all Windows systems, including Windows 8/8.1. You can use it to backup Windows PC to Google Drive and other clouds with ease. Download the program onto your Windows PC and explore its features firsthand.