The service backs up files that are in libraries, contacts, favorites and on the desktop. It scans every hour by default and records changes to a separate drive where users can recover versions from specific points in time. So if file are damaged or lost or if earlier versions are needed, they can be restored via File History.

"With File History, the search starts right in Windows Explorer," the blog says. "You can browse to a specific location and click or tap on the History button in the explorer ribbon in order to see all versions of the selected library, folder or an individual file."

Finding the file and version to be restored can be done browsing or searching using keywords, file names and date ranges. Users can select the version they want based on previews and can restore them with a mouse click or by tapping on the touchscreen.

File History replaces Backup and Restore functionality in Windows 7, which were used by less than 5% of consumers, the blog says. By making File History easier to use than its predecessors, Microsoft hopes more people will use it.