How to Add Folders to File History Windows 11? Stepwise Guide

What Does File History Do?

File History is Windows' native backup solution designed to safeguard your important personal files. It works by automatically preserving several copies of your documents, photos, videos and other user files on an external drive or network storage.

The tool continuously tracks changes to your files, creating incremental backups that let you recover earlier versions when needed - perfect for restoring accidentally deleted files or damaged files. Unlike cloud-based sync services, File History maintains complete version history locally, giving you direct control over your backup data. For optimal protection, it's recommended to use it with a dedicated external drive that remains consistently connected to your system.

Why Add Custom Folder to File History?

Many Windows users often wonder how to add custom folders to File History in Windows 10 or Windows 11. While the backup tool automatically protects files in default locations like Documents and Pictures, your important data might be stored elsewhere. This is where adding custom folders becomes essential for complete data protection.More reasons and benefits include:

• Essential Protection Beyond Default Folders

File History only backs up default folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.), leaving files on external drives or custom project folders unprotected unless manually added.

• Smart Storage Management

Selectively adding folders prevents wasted space on unimportant files, especially valuable when using smaller backup drives.

• Professional-Grade Security

Work files in specialized directories gain the same automatic version protection as personal documents.

• Hands-Free Version Tracking

Custom folders receive continuous, automated versioning without manual backups required.

How to Add Folders to File History in Windows 11/10

Now, we will walk you through aclear, step-by-step guide to adding folders to File History in Windows 11 and 10.

Add Folders to File History in Windows 10

Step 1: Connect Your Backup Drive

Plug your external hard drive or USB storage device into your computer. Ensure the drive has enough free space (at least double the size of the files you want to back up). Wait for Windows to recognize the drive - you should see it appear in File Explorer.

Step 2: Open File History Settings

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. In Windows 10, go to "Update & Security" then select "Files Backup." Click "More options" to access the full configuration.

Step 3: Add Your Custom Folder

Scroll down to the "Back up these folders" section. Click "Add a folder" and browse to your desired location.

Select the folder and click "Choose this folder" to confirm. The folder will now appear in your backup list.

Step 4: Configure Backup Settings (Optional)

Adjust how often backups occur using the "Back up my files" dropdown (options range from every 10 minutes to daily). You can also change how long to keep saved versions under "Keep my backups."

Remove any default folders you don't need by selecting them and clicking "Remove."

Step 5: Start the Backup Process

Click "Back up now" to begin your first backup. The initial backup may take several hours depending on file sizes. Subsequent backups will be faster as they only save changed files. Keep your backup drive connected for scheduled backups to occur automatically.

Add Custom Folders to File History in Windows 11

Step 1: Connect Your Backup Drive

Same as adding folder to File History in Windows 10, you have to connect an external drive to Windows 10 computer and ensure it is detected successfully.

Step 2: Open Windows Backup Settings

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click "System and Security", then select "File History" from the right panel.

Step 3: Access Folder Selection

In the Advanced settings, scroll down to find the "Back up these folders" section. This shows all currently included folders. To add new ones, click the "Add a folder" button below the list.

If you can't find the "Back up these folders" section in Windows 11 File History settings, you can open Windows File Explorer, find and right-click the target folder. Choose "Include in library" from the drop-down menu and pick an existing folder which has been included in the File History, such as default folders like Documents and Pictures.

Further Reading: How to Restore Files from File History

After setting up File History and addingcustomfoldersto the backup plan, you'll want to know how to restore files when needed. The restoration process is straightforward:

Step 1. Search "Restore your files with file history" in the Start menu. Click "Open".

Step 2. In the File History control panel, browse through all backups, locate the target files or folder, click on "Restore" ( to original location) or "Restore to" (to another different location).

FAQ: Can You Restore Files without File History Backup?

If you didn’t set up File History due to some errors like "File History does not recognize the drive" or your backup drive failed, you can still recover lost files using data recovery software like free MyRecover.

How MyRecover Helps?

✅ Works without backups – Scans hard drives directly for recoverable filesand recover without requiring backup.

✅Cover multiple data loss cases- Recover data from accidental deletion, formatted drive, virus attack, system crash, etc.

✅ Supports 1000+ file types – Photos, videos, documents, audios, archives, etc.

✅ User-friendly interface – No technical skills required.

Only 3 steps can recover files from HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, cameras, PS4/5, drone, CCTV, music/video players and other devices. Download it and have a try!

Summary

File History is a powerful, built-in Windows tool that ensures your important files are automatically backed up and versioned, protecting you from accidental deletions, corruption, or system failures. By adding custom foldersto File History, you extend this protection to all your critical data, not just default locations.

However, File History has its limits—it requires an external drive and doesn’t cover every data loss scenario. For unbacked-up files, tools like MyRecover offer a reliable fallback, recovering lost data even without backups.