Is file history a good backup option on Windows 11/10?

No, File History is not a good backup solution as it is already deprecated by Microsoft.

File History’s primary limitation is its lack of system image or full system backup capability. It is designed to protect user files and folders, such as documents and pictures, but it cannot backup applications, system files, or the operating system itself. Consequently, a complete system recovery after a hard drive failure or major corruption is impossible, requiring a full Windows reinstallation and application setup before personal files can be restored.

Furthermore, File History is highly dependent on its connected backup drive being regularly available. It only backs up files when the designated drive is connected, making it impractical for mobile devices that frequently leave the network or location of the backup drive. This can lead to significant gaps in backup coverage, and the feature offers no cloud storage integration, unlike other modern solutions, tying it to a local physical drive that is also susceptible to local disasters like theft or fire.

Finally, its management and restoration interface is relatively basic and can be cumbersome for recovering large or complex folder structures. Filtering and finding specific versions of files is not as intuitive as in third-party backup suites. For users requiring automated, comprehensive, or off-site backups, File History is best viewed as a simple, supplemental tool rather than a complete backup strategy.