Windows File Extension: This is how it works

Windows data conversion history


What is the file version?


Already since Windows 8 users have the possibility to configure an automatic backup for their documents. This can be done several times a day, on request even in a minute stroke. This allows you to restore versions of documents. For example, if you are working on a document and find that the version of 13:30 is better at 14:30, you can quickly and easily restore it.


Save the deployment history to the cloud and to the network


The file expansion process automatically backs up the files to external hard disks, shares on the network, or to NAS systems. The restoration of the documents is possible via Windows Explorer or in the system control. An administrator is not required for this, nor does it have administrative rights or professional IT knowledge. The file versioning process can recover not only deleted data, but also older versions of existing files in other directories.


Tips for the file development process


It is very easy to use the Windows version, but you have to activate the function manually. Even if it is handy and sophisticated, Windows does not display a wizard, nor is the feature automatically enabled. Users need to enable and configure them once, but can then rely on the backup without having to make further configurations.


TIP 1: Check free space regularly


We'll show you how to enable the expiration process in a separate article.


It is important to know first of all, that the file expansion process in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 is not a comprehensive backup solution for all your data or the entire PC, but only an additional backup of documents. In addition to a parallel, additional data backup, the function is designed to ensure that you can restore your documents even if you do not have a complicated data backup if something goes wrong. All you need to do is in the Control Panel and in Windows Explorer.


The backup operations of the file deployment process work automatically in the background after setup, without having to intervene manually. So you do not need to worry about forgetting the backup, Windows will do it automatically for you. For a recovery only, you must select which file you want to restore in Windows Explorer. The file expiration history does not secure the operating system or documents that are outside the configured directories. This means that if you have activated the file development process, you must also ensure that the documents you have created are saved in the directories that the file versioning process also ensures.


The file expiration history only saves the user folders, ie documents, pictures, videos, and your contacts when you save them in Windows. You can also exclude individual directories from the libraries from the backup or create your own directories. So before you set up the file development process, you should be aware of where you want to store your documents.


In general, the file development process can also be combined with cloud storage such as OneDrive Google Drive or Dropbox. To do this, you must place the documents on the local synchronization directory of the corresponding cloud memory on the PC. Since this directory is automatically synchronized with the cloud storage, you have the option to synchronize the data into the cloud. If you also consider this directory in the file development process, the data is additionally saved via the file development run.


The advantage is that you can automatically use all of your documents on a mobile basis. This is, however, only optional and useful for practiced users. However, you can include custom directories or drives for the backup that are outside the Windows user directories specified by Windows. It is only possible to exclude individual directories from the standard secured directories in order to reduce the backup quantity and to shorten the backup time. Additional directories in the libraries ensure the file development process, of course. Here you have free choice when creating your own order.


If you are using a NAS system for data storage at home, you can also save the data for the data transfer process. This has the advantage that if your PC or the external hard disk is lost, your data still exists. In general, however, it is recommended that you create a separate share for the data backup on the NAS system, for example with the name filehistory. This task is usually done in the web interface of your NAS system.


The setting up of the file expansion process is completed quickly, also the use is not very complicated. In general, however, there is one way or the other of which you can better deal with the file development process, or you should check it regularly.


Periodically call up the file development process in the system control. Make sure that the free space on your NAS system is sufficient. The more frequently you perform a fuse and the longer the fuses are stored, the greater the space required for the file expansion process. If the storage space on your NAS system goes out, reduce the time period during which the versions are kept. After you've reduced the time, you can delete the versions in the advanced options.


TIP 2: File usage history in Windows settings


In addition to the system control, you can also configure the file development process in the new Windows settings of Windows 10. You can find the configuration from the start menu when you call up the settings. Navigate to Update and Security / Backup. Use the slider to toggle the power on or off. If you click the More Options button, you can basically make the same settings as in the Control Panel.


If you do not currently have access to your PC - for example because a defect has occurred unexpectedly - or if you can not start the file development process, you have the possibility to access the backup directly via Windows Explorer. To do this, open the share or the external drive to which the backup is placed in Windows Explorer, if necessary using another computer.


HINT 3: Restore documents without the file expiration


Here you will find a directory for every PC and every user who uses the file development process. Double-click on this directory, the backup will open. Then open the Data folder. In this directory you will find the secure versions. In this directory, you can now restore the last saved version. You can find the date and time of the backup in the filename.


Parallel to the file version, you also have the option to make your own backup of important drives. This is, for example, useful for directories that you can not include in the file development process. To do this, you can use the robocopy.exe command-line tool, which has been part of the Windows operating system since Vista. For example, if you want to synchronize a directory on your machine to a share on your NAS system, use the command that you typed in the command prompt in that syntax


This command synchronizes all documents and all directories from E: \ Documents to the directory x: \ backup \ dokumente. This drive can be an external hard drive or a network drive that you have connected in Windows Explorer. The / me option is used to mirror the directory to the target directory. This means that all new files in the source directory are copied to the destination directory. If you delete files in the source directory, the files in the target directory are also deleted. So when you run the command, you get a complete clone of the source directory.


TIP 4: Additional backup without file expiration with Robocopy


If you create a so-called batch file, you can run several of these commands one by one, and thereby save different directories. To do this, simply create a new text file, write the commands to this file and give it the extension * .bat. If you double-click this file, all commands are executed. In addition to manual execution, you also have the possibility to create a scheduled task in Windows and to perform the backup on a regular basis.


If you want to perform multiple backups of your important directories, you can simply place a mirror on different directories, for example, an external hard drive and additionally on your NAS system.