File History vs Backup: Which One’s Better on Windows 11?

It’s the battle of backups but which one reigns supreme?

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

We can all agree that having a backup solution is a great save for anyone who stores anything important on their PC. Windows 11 comes with two backup utilities: File History and Windows Backup.

Both offer a great way to keep your files safe in case of an emergency, but the two tools have different features and work slightly differently. If you’re yet to explore either, we give you a complete rundown so that you can make the right decision.

What is the difference between File History and Backup on Windows 11?

File History

Windows 11 File Historyis a feature in the Control Panel that allows you to restore your files from a previous point in time. This can be useful if you accidentally delete or corrupt a file or your computer crashes.

Backup and Restore

Windows Backup is a more complete solution that also protects your operating system, installed applications, and other settings. You can use a local drive or external device to back up these items, but it also allows cloud backup with a little tweaking.

Differences between File History and Backup and Restore

Should I use File History or Windows Backup?

When it comes to backup, you should first ensure your data is properly protected. File history is a great way to protect yourself from accidental changes or deletions, but unlike Windows Backup, which backs up all kinds of data, it only backs up select folders.

The Backup and Restore feature is primarily intended for recovering from a complete system failure, such as ahard drive failureor malware infection. Although it’s an all-in-one backup tool, it’s mostly used when you need to back up your entire system.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a backup solution with advanced features, use Windows Backup. If you only want to back up user data, File History backup is the most viable option.

If it were up to us, we’d definitely go for both. File History isn’t as robust as Windows Backup but is still fairly comprehensive. You can use both services separately if you want more control over how often and where backups are stored.

And whichever backup option you choose, you can alwaystailor the backup settingsto meet your needs to ensure you’re getting the most out of these features.

To take your backup knowledge to another level, check our guide to see how torestore individual files from Windows Backup.

Is there a scenario in which File History is your first choice, or vice versa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

File History vs Backup: Which One’s Better on Windows 11?#

What is the difference between File History and Backup on Windows 11?#

File History#

Backup and Restore#

Differences between File History and Backup and Restore#

Should I use File History or Windows Backup?#