How to Backup Only New or Changed Files in Windows 10 [2 Ways]

Can I copy only new files to an external hard drive in Windows 10? On this page, you'll find two efficient way that can help you fully backup all valuable files with ease:

Can I backup only changed files in Windows 10?

"Hi guys, do you know how to back up the only changed files in Windows 10? I'm using File History for file backup in Windows 10 but File History will copy each file every time when it executes the backup command.

How can I back up the files that only altered in Windows 10? Help please."

Can Windows 10 back up only changed files? Some of you may have the same questions as to why trying to create a backup of newly changed files on Windows 10 computers. The answer is Yes but the process is quite complex.

To execute this task in Windows 10, you can follow either method as shown below by applying powerful backup software for Windows 10 and the Windows 10 Backup and Restore feature for help. 

Follow and learn how to copy and create a backup of your changed files with a step-by-step guide in the next two methods.

Method 1. Back Up Only New/Changed Files to an External Hard Drive With Software

For most Windows beginners, it's a wise decision to turn to Windows backup software to update and create a backup of the only altered files like music, images, documents, videos, etc., on a Windows 10 or other system versions of PC.

Powerful backup software - EaseUS Todo Backup with its incremental backup function can help. This function allows you to back up only the files that have changed or been modified since the last backup, regardless of the previous backups performed. It takes less time and storage space since it only handles the changes made since the last backup. 

EaseUS Todo Backup Key Features

• Back up only changed files, like documents, photos, audio, music, emails effectively.
• Back up Windows OS, hard disk partitions, and even clone disk.
• Compress the backup image, occupying small storage space on your PC or external hard drive.

What are you waiting for? Download it and use it to save your time and energy!

Tutorial: Back Up Only Changed or New Files to External Hard Drive with EaseUS Todo Backup

⏰Warm Tip: Before you start, remember to empty your external hard drive and connect it to your computer. Then start with the following steps:

Step 1. Click the "Select backup contents" button to start backup.

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

Step 3. Both local and network files will be listed on the left. You can expand the directory to select the files to be backed up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen guide, select the destination where you want to save the backup.

Click "Options" to encrypt the backup with password in "Backup Options", set the backup schedule and choose to start back up at certain event in "Backup Scheme". There are also many other options you can explore, customize the backup task according to your need.

Step 5. You can store the backup to local drive, EaseUS's cloud service, and NAS.

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup enables users to back up data to both third-party cloud drive and its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to third-party cloud drive, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, add and login your account.

You can also choose EaseUS's own cloud drive. Click EaseUS Cloud, sign up with your EaseUS Account and log in.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start backup. After the backup task is completed, it will be displayed in the form of a card on the left side of the panel. Right-click the backup task to further manage it.

After this, EaseUS Todo Backup will automatically backup files that are only altered for you in Windows 10 after the first full backup operation. Nothing else you'll need to do later. 

Method 2. Back Up Only Changed/New Files in Windows 10 via Backup and Restore

Another way that you can try is to apply Windows built-in tool - Backup and Restore (Windows 7) for creating a scheduled backup plan.

By doing so, you can also back up newly added or updated files with manual steps. As the process is a bit complex, follow and try this method carefully:

Step 1. Connect an external hard drive with enough space to your PC.

Step 2. Press Windows + S keys, type Control Panel in the Search box, and click to open Control Panel.

Step 2. Click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" to open it.

Step 3. On the right pane, click "Set up backup".
Step 4. Select the external hard drive to save your backup and click "Next".

Step 5. Select the files you want to back up.

You can follow the default Windows settings or decide for yourself.

Step 6. On the set up backup window, tick "Run backup on a schedule", set the plan and click "OK".

Here, you need to set the backup schedule for how often, what day for the new backup, which will add newly changed files to your next backup.

Step 7. Click "Save settings and run backup".

Now files that have transformed and new files that have been created since your last backup will be added to your backup according to the schedule you set.

Sum Up

On this page, we collected two reliable ways to help you back up important Windows 10 files that have changed recently. For an easier way out, EaseUS Todo Backup is recommended for you to try. It's secure and reliable. 

Backup Only New or Changed Files in Windows 10 FAQs

1. Does file history backup only changed files?

No, it just provides basic backup functions that are applicable to basic backup requirements. Only incremental backups of updated files are possible, and this utility is not available in File History. You can use EaseUS Todo Backup, a professional backup software, to only backup the altered files.

2. What is the difference between file history and backup in Windows 10?

File History and backup in Windows 10 offer similar functions but take different approaches. File History focuses on storing numerous versions of personal files such as documents, photos, and videos. Backup and Restore, on the other hand, is a more thorough system backup that includes specific files, system files, and system settings.

3. What is the difference between incremental backup and differential backup?

Incremental backup and differential backup are two different approaches to performing backups:

Incremental Backup: Regardless of previous backups, this method only backs up files that have changed or been updated since the last backup. Because it only processes changes made after the last backup, it consumes less time and storage space. However, accessing numerous backup sets is required during the recovery procedure.

Differential backup will back up all files that have changed or been modified since the last complete or full backup. It collects the changes made since the last full backup in each subsequent differential backup. While it takes longer and consumes more storage space than an incremental backup, the restore process is simpler because it only requires the most recent complete backup and the most recent differential backup.