Where Are the Backup Files Stored? Where Can I Find the Windows 10 Backup Files

Jean updated on Jan 12, 2024 to Backup and Recovery | How-to Articles

You know the importance of backing up files, but have no idea of what happened after the backup process is finished. For example, where are the backup files stored? Here we will tell you the answer.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
1. Windows Backup File Location Apply to users back up with Windows File History; Apply to users back up with third-party...Full steps
2. How to Use Windows File History

Right-click the Windows icon, choose Settings > Update & Security > Backup...Full steps

3. Back up with Third-Party Software

Back up and restore files and folders for personal use; Back up disk/partition at a block-level...Full steps

Every user knows the importance of backing up data regularly, but most of the time, users just back up the wanted data follow the guide, they don't know what happens next. So one possible situation is that when users need to restore a backup or want to manually delete backup files to free up disk space, they don't know where to find these backup files. This is the topic we will focus on today, telling you where are backup files stored on Windows 10.

Answer - Where Are the Windows Backup Files Stored?

To answer this question is very simple, once you know how to make a backup on Windows computers, you would know where are the backup files or how can you check the path of the backup files. 

The storage path of the backup file is not specified. Most of the backup software, even the Windows built-in backup tool, gives users the authority to choose the path of the backup files. If you don't customize the storage path, the system will give a default one. 

So if you want to know where are your backup files, try to remember when you create the backup file, where do you choose to store it, in an external hard drive or in a local disk. Check the backup location, see if you can find your backup files.

If you can't remember where do you choose to store the backup files, try the following two tips.

Tip 1: Apply to Users Back up with Windows File History

When backing up files with File History, the system will automatically create a folder called "FileHistory". If you can't remember the store location of your backup file, search "FileHistory" in File Explorer to see if you can find the backup files.

Tip 2: Apply to Users Back up with Third-Party Software

Generally, when you make a backup with third-party software, the default name of your backup folder will be "My Backups" or "Backup". So you could search the name in File Explorer and check the result.

How to Backup Files with Windows File History

After knowing how to find your backup files, we'd like to introduce how to back up with Windows built-in tool - File History. File History is the built-in backup and restore feature that first released in Windows 8.1 and continues to be a part of Windows today. With this tool, users can back up specific folders to a local drive or network drive. Here are the steps of how to use File History.

Step 1. Right-click the Windows icon, choose Settings > Update & Security > Backup.

Step 2. Under Back up using Windows File History. Click More Options to open Windows 10 Backup Options.

Step 3. Here you can customize the backup time interval, how long you want to keep your backups, which folders you want to back up, and you can even choose to back up your files to a different drive. Set up the backup options according to your needs.

Step 4. Once you have set up, File History will start to back up the folders you choose.

Back up Files with Third-Party Software

Although both the Windows PC and Mac computer have their own data backup and restore features, purchasing a third-party backup solution is also the recommended option when it comes to protecting computer data. 

Compared with the built-in tools, the third-party software is usually more powerful and embedded with more functions. For example, back up both files and folders (Windows File History only allows users to back up folders), back up mails, and make a differential backup or incremental backup. There are many great backup software in the market, the one we'd like to recommend is EaseUS Todo Backup.

Key Features:

  • Back up and restore files and folders for personal use
  • Back up disk/partition at a block-level
  • Back up Windows system along with user settings
  • Supports creating a smart backup with only a few clicks

You can download EaseUS Todo Backup from the button above, and follow our guide to see how to back up files with it.

Step 1. To start backup, click the Select backup contents.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

Step 3. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Selecting the files to be backed up by expanding the directory.

Step 4. Follow the instructions on the screen and pick the location where you wish to store the backup.

In Backup Options, click Options to encrypt the backup with a password, specify the backup schedule, and choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event in Backup Scheme. There are a variety of customizable features available for you to explore, and you may tailor the backup operation to meet your specific requirements.

Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in EaseUS's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.

If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.


You may also use EaseUS's own cloud storage service. Click EaseUS Cloud, create an account using your EaseUS Account, then log in to your account.

Step 7. To begin a backup, choose Backup Now. It will appear in the shape of a card on the left-hand panel when the backup process has been successfully finished. To handle the backup job in more detail, right-click on it.

What's the Difference between Differential and Incremental Backups?

What is the difference between differential backup and incremental backup? This article introduces the differences and benefits between these two backup strategies.

Sum Up

In conclusion, the storage location of the backup file depends on where you choose to save the backup when you create the backup. Try the two tips in this article to search for your backup files.

FAQ on Where Are the Backup Files Stored

Where are my backup files in Windows 10?

The storage location of the backup file depends on where you choose to save the backup when you create the backup. Most of the backup software, even the Windows built-in backup tool, gives users the authority to choose the path of the backup files. If you don't customize the storage path, the system will give a default one.