As I slowly learn my method around Windows eight, I still uncover a couple of options I did not apprehend existed. (You'd suppose Microsoft would come with a live tile or one thing that calls out these new features--"Hey, look what we've added!"--but, no.)

One such hidden perk is File History. Like Apple's machine, it archives copies of older versions of your files, and will therefore mechanically and within the background, whereas you're employed. It is, for all intents and functions, a period backup tool.

One caveat, though: it isn't a full-system backup tool like Windows Backup; by default it preserves solely those files in your Libraries: documents, music, photos, and different media. you'll be able to add different folders if you want, however solely by adding them to your Libraries. (You may exclude folders if you do not wish, say, your videos to be insured.)

File History needs some reasonably external storage: a USB flash drive, USB disk drive, or network drive. The more room you devote to File History, the deeper your backup can go. Here's a way to start with it:

1. refer the Charms Bar (by mousing into either right-hand corner or pressing Windows-C), then click the Search icon.

2. sort file history, then click Settings once it seems below the Search bar.

3. Click the File History link that seems within the search results.

4. By default, the feature is turned off. introduce no matter storage you propose to use, then click the Refresh icon next to the address bar. (If you are victimisation network storage, click Use network location instead, then select your required drive.)

5. Click the button marked activate.

That's all there's thereto. File History can build associate degree initial backup of your Libraries, then scan those folders once per hour and build further backups of any new or modified files it finds.

If you wish to recover your files, simply come to the File History window and click on Restore personal files. (You may manually navigate into the File History folder created on your storage drive, however you'll need to click through various sub-folders to search out your information.)

This is a by all odds handy feature that is value devoting, say, a flash drive to, if solely to preserve your most precious documents.