[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How to activate Windows 8's File History feature here

[MKZ1945]

For those Windows 8 users that tend to spend more time on the desktop, File History can also be found in the Control Panel listed items. It's a good utility but it’s limitations on file and folder selection made it useless for my use. I do have it running on my wife's computer and it is okay for her purposes. You’ll also find Windows 7 File Recovery listed in the Control Panel. It’s another one of those hidden things in Windows 8. It can be used to backup your entire system and restore when necessary.

I've been using Allway Sync on my main computer. It allows me to select specific files or folders and maintain synchronized up to date versions in multiple locations across my home network and cloud services at once. Like File History, it is not intended for system backup, but it has many more options than File History. There is a free version, but it you work with a lot of files, like I do, you will need to either get the paid version or find an alternative.

[JeffreyClinard]

Thanks. This is one of the most useful PC World articles I've read all month.

[bob3160]

File History is a good thing but, for security one should also create a regular image backup. Why does Windows 8 allow you to either setup File History or, the Windows 7 File Recovery ???
I have File Recovery activated and Windows 8 tells me that I need to disable it in order to set up File History.
You would think the folks at Microsoft would have come up with a program to do both of these function in one simple yo use tool.....

[compnovo]

bob3160, on 29 January 2013 - 07:07 AM, said:

File History is a good thing but, for security one should also create a regular image backup. Why does Windows 8 allow you to either setup File History or, the Windows 7 File Recovery ???
I have File Recovery activated and Windows 8 tells me that I need to disable it in order to set up File History.
You would think the folks at Microsoft would have come up with a program to do both of these function in one simple yo use tool.....

I have both File History and a weekly image backup running on my Win8 desktop. Even though Windows 7 File Recovery has to be disabled for File History to run you can still set up a scheduled system image backup.

This post has been edited by compnovo: 29 January 2013 - 07:30 AM

[dgeller]

I have windows 8 and bought Stardock.com's START button, love it and windows.

What imaging program would you suggest for windows 8?
David

[compnovo]

dgeller, on 30 January 2013 - 04:07 AM, said:

I have windows 8 and bought Stardock.com's START button, love it and windows.

What imaging program would you suggest for windows 8?
David

I'm using the one built into Windows 8, and have it scheduled to create the image weekly. Works like a charm. If you go into Windows 7 File Recovery you'll see the image backup option on the left.