How to restore previous versions of files, folders, and drives in Windows 10 accidentally lost or changed a file. Windows offers built-in tools to help recover previous versions of files, folders, and drives. Let's walk through how to restore them and avoid permanent data loss. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT Video Hub. For more tech content like this, how it works. The Feature pulls from two sources. File history backs up your personal files, like documents and desktop. If it's enabled. System protection creates restore points that include system settings and files. If either one is turned on, you can restore earlier versions directly from File Explorer or control panel. How to turn it on. To enable file history, go to settings, updated security backup, and choose a drive for system protection, open control panel system system protection. Select your drive and turn it on. You can also create restore points manually for extra safety. How to restore a file or folder to restore a file or folder? Right. Click the file or folder. Choose Restore previous versions. Select a version from the list and click Restore. If you're restoring a full drive, go to control panel system, system protection, click system restore. Choose a restore point and confirm when to use it. Use it when you overwrite a file. Delete a folder or lose data after a crash or bad update. It's fast built in and doesn't require any extra setup. Once enabled, if it's not working, restore options won't appear. If file history or system protection isn't enabled, or if no backups or restore points exist. Also make sure the backup drive is connected. Otherwise Windows won't store version history. Keep it running. Make sure file history is backing up key folders on a schedule and create restore points before system updates or software installs. You can test the restore process anytime by rolling back a test file to verify it works. Bottom line, you don't need extra tools to recover lost files in Windows 10. Restoring previous versions works well as long as you set it up before something goes wrong. For more information, check out our official blog post on restoring previous versions of files, folders, and drives in Windows 10. Linked in the description below.