Can FreeFileSync replace Windows File History?

[avoigt750]

I have been using Free File Sync for many years now, also with the donation version, to sync large amounts of data to backup drives.
Now I am looking for an alternative for the Windows-built-in File History as this got even less reliable in Windows 11. File History stores a new version of a file when it is altered and will keep older versions of it. File History can be configured look for new files and new versions and to store them every 10 minutes. This is happening quickly in the background even with the amount of filoes I want to be monitored this way: around 400 GigaBytes, around 100.000 files. I know Free File Sync can store away different verions of files as documented here https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=versioning . I have used that feature. But FFS takes always some time to scan all of the files, so I wonder if it is advisable to use it in my case . Also, until now I have only used FFS manually and have not configured FFS to run every 10 minutes. So, would FFS be a suitable tool for me?
thanks,
Axel

[xCSxXenon]

Each option has their own pros and cons. Windows File History is configurable though, so it doesn't have to version so often

[avoigt750]

right, will check how far I can get with FFS. Real Time Sync as described in the tutorial video sounds promising, or using the task scheduling as described in another video. looks like I could manage how often synchronizing is done with the latter. Would be grateful though if anyone is using FFS as replacement für file history and shares how well this works and how exactly to configure FFS.

[xCSxXenon]

Start with the FAQs and manual. FFS has options for versioning with basically endless configuration options

[avoigt750]

will do that, much appreciated!

[Plerry]

Although I really like FFS's Versioning, which allows you to keep as many previous versions as you select, for as long as you select, in a user selected location, I consider it to be a "just in case" safety net.

However, restoring an FFS saved previous version is by far not as easy as when using Windows versioning.

In Windows versioning you simply select a (present) file in its existing location, and can restore a previous version via the right-click menu.

In FFS versioning, you need to browse to your self selected versioning location for your FFS sync involving the folder in which the present file is located, identify the specific previous version you like to restore, and then copy/paste that previous version to the present file's location, and possibly need to rename it.
Zenju, the FFS author has recognized/acknowledged this (see the second part of this reply, but FFS is yet unchanged in this respect.

[avoigt750]

thank you for this info. yes, I liked the windows versioning, it is well integrated in the windows shell/explorer and easy to use. Yet, it is not working anymore in Win 11 as I want to do the versioning mainly with my Onedrive directory. File history is still working on other directories but not on the onedrive directory. I suppose bcause they want you to use the versioning that is possible with onedrive. Which I do not like, however, because you need an excellent internet connection, otherwise you end up with lots of automatic safety copies of files that could not be synchronized. So I think I will opt for FFS which I habe been using for manual backup since many years and find reliable. The restoring process in FFS as described I find manageable as I wouldn't need it often. Stil I wonder how well perfoming FFS will be in my case with ~400 GB and ~100.000 files to monitor every 10 minutes or so for changes and versioning.