How to set up automatic backups on Windows

Most people think a one‑off click on File History means they’ll never lose a file, but that’s a misconception – File History only copies new versions for a short period unless you tell it to run regularly. The fix is to set a real schedule and store the backup somewhere safe. Do I need to schedule my Windows backup? Yes – you must tell Windows when to run the job. Open Settings ► Update & Security ► Backup and click "Add a drive". Choose your external USB stick or network share, then click "More options" and pick a daily or weekly schedule. We see customers who set the interval to "Every 30 minutes" and end up with a full disk in an hour; a sensible daily run keeps the load low and the history useful. Should I store backups on the same drive as my OS? No – backing up to the same physical drive defeats the purpose. If the drive dies, both the original and the backup disappear. Plug an external HDD (we recommend a 2 TB model for around £60) or map a network share. Our home IT support team can help you pick a reliable device and configure it correctly. What happens if my backup drive fills up? Windows will automatically delete the oldest versions, but you may lose the only copy of a crucial file. In the Backup settings under "Keep my backups" select "Until space is needed" and also set a maximum size that leaves a safety margin. If you prefer to keep everything, consider a secondary cloud target – our cloud & Microsoft 365 plans start at about £5 a month and give you off