Backup in Windows

 I am a big proponent of backing up files. I have had a number of hard drives fail over the years. The only reason I didn't lose data was because I have kept my files backed up.

I recommend most people use a backup service like Crashplan or Backblaze to backup files. Microsoft has been pushing their Windows Backup solution. While it is a good option, it only backs up to Microsoft OneDrive. I wish it had more options, such as backing up to a local or network drive of my choosing.

Turns out there is such an option built into Windows. In the Control Panel is File History. Here you can select a drive to back up to, either network or a local drive, and select which folders on your computer you want to back up. From there Windows will backup your files on a regular basis. This gives you a copy of these files in case your computer.

This isn't a perfect solution. Ideally you should follow the 3-2-1 rule, at least three copies on two forms of media one of which is off site. Unless you are using a network drive somewhere else on the Internet, this fails on the last one. If your house burns down you still lose all your data. 

But it is a great start.