Windows backup seems to be hitting all the wrong notes when it comes to the new operating system’s integrated backup known as ‘File History’. Many Windows users had hoped for a built-in online Windows backup system, but instead will have to settle for a simpler alternative which will offer little benefits.

File History will keep copies of some—but not all—data by backing it up to a local storage device on a regular basis which is yet to be determined. Some had perhaps thought that it would be integrated with Microsoft’s SkyDrive, but will unfortunately find no such luck.

If any users are to benefit, it is most likely to be personal home users, but certainly not business users due to the fact that the system doesn’t come equipped with high enough levels of privacy and security features.

The decision to create such a limited Windows backup is quite peculiar, since users have been craving a built-in online backup system for quite a while.

Microsoft will now have to rely on their SkyDrive system, of which is also under criticism and is still, despite the computer software giant’s large presence in industry, not considered to be good enough to stand alongside independent online storage providers.

The twenty-first century is an age of technology. As humans, we are now dependent on technology to quite a large extent. From GPS in your car, to online banking, all the way up to the radar used to steer an airplane’s course, we have become very used to letting technology take care of our daily lives.

History has always shown us that life can become a lot easier as the result of invention, innovation and widespread implementation of progression into society.

It’s also shown us another thing which is inevitable. And this is that after a while, sometimes after only a few years, a once revolutionary advent of technology can become old and inefficient as the world outgrows it. The world then looks to a newer form of product that has less restrictions and limitations.

This could not be more so when it comes to Windows backup.

Windows backup has served its users well for many, many years by creating a ghost drive on peoples’ computers as a way of offering a recovery for file loss disasters. The problem with this method of storage, though, is that it has become old hat, and, extremely limited. This is because Windows backup still insists on backing up files locally. This means that a user’s files are always vulnerable to hard drive failure, damage, and theft.

This is why a new system known as online storage was created. It stores a user’s files offsite in a large data center which is heavily guarded by both personnel and government level encryption. So no matter what happens to a user’s personal hard drive, there’s never any need to panic. If a data loss disaster was to strike, file recovery can be performed effortlessly.

So, if you are still relying on Windows backup, it might be time to consider the alternative…

Over thirty years ago a new way of listening to music hit the shops. This technology was known as the Betamax cassette which finally gave automobile users the ability to hear their favorite songs while on the road. At the time, they were amazing. Brilliant. Then came along the compact cassette, CD’s and minidiscs, and then, of course, the takeover of modern digital music such as the mp3.

Cycles such as these are always happening in the world around us. Take Windows backup for example. For many years it has given its users the ability to store and secure their data on a backup or ‘ghost’ drive on their personal computer or onsite server. This technology has no doubt helped a lot of people recover data when disaster has struck. But this local form of backup had still has one flaw that is seen as fatal by a lot of people. Many know of it, but carry on their daily lives with their head in the sand, preferring to not acknowledge that their data could be at risk.

This fatal flaw, which is now commonly known, is that once a local backup system is hit by a virus or corruption, i.e. a notebook hard drive, the ghosted backup in a lot of cases becomes meaningless—because the backup is no longer accessible…

Enter online Windows backup, the savior of this century’s backup woes and concerns. Online Windows backup places your personal files into a highly secure third party data center, meaning that if a disaster were to hit your notebook, for example, there would be no trouble in retrieving your files.

This technology has in fact been around for a while in some circles, but thanks to the recent boom is now a very proficient and affordable way to cater for the world’s storage needs.

Current Windows users already have an integrated system for backing up their data built into their operating systems. It has been the norm for many years, and has gotten a lot of users out trouble when their hard drives have decided to not play ball. Windows backup is perfectly fine as a short term form of protecting your files for a later recovery if need be. But what if your hard drive wants to do more than just not play ball? What if your hard drive wants to leave the field completely?

Of course, I’m referring to irreparable hard drive failure which could result from a number of uncontrollable elements, such as corruption, accidental physical damage, malware or virus infestation—or even theft! When this happens, there’s no come back. Because your current backup was only local, there’s just nothing you can do.

Sound like a terrifying movie you’d rather not star in? Well, there’s good news—you don’t have to! Online backup can offer you many features, with secure third party storage being its primary focus. Automated backups make backing up your work effortless, meaning you no longer have to grit your teeth while performing the task manually. With the highest standards of encryption in place and the securest of data centers housing your files, online backup really is worth considering over Windows backup.