Plain-language answer
What Time Vault does
A normal backup keeps the newest verified copy of each selected file. With Time Vault enabled for a routine, Backup O'Clock also keeps the previous backup copy when a changed file is about to replace it. The regular backup stays current, while the earlier copy waits in a dated snapshot in case you need to go back.
When it helps
Everyday reasons to use Time Vault
Undo an accidental overwrite
You saved over a good document or spreadsheet, and the next backup copied the unwanted version. Time Vault may still hold the good copy that existed immediately before it.
Recover an earlier project revision
A design, writing, or project file was changed several times and you later discover that an earlier backed-up version contained something you still need.
Compare before replacing anything
Restore an earlier version to another folder, open it beside the current file, and decide which content to keep without disturbing either original.
How versions appear
What to expect
It starts after you enable it
Time Vault is not retroactive. Versions can be retained only when later backup runs replace files that were already backed up.
A snapshot is not another full backup
A dated snapshot contains the earlier copies preserved during that run. It does not duplicate every file in the routine.
New files need a later change
The first backup establishes the current copy. A Time Vault version appears only after that backed-up file changes and a later run replaces it.
Earlier versions use drive space
Use Storage to review snapshots, save retention rules, preview cleanup, and explicitly remove only versions you no longer need.
Step by step
Enable, find, and restore an earlier version
Enable it for the backup routine
On Home, select the routine and choose Edit Backup. In Schedule and backup safety, turn on Time Vault: preserve the previous copy before a changed file replaces it, then save the routine.
Run backups normally
The first successful run establishes the current backup copy. On a later run, if that file has changed, Time Vault retains the outgoing backup copy before the newest version replaces it.
Confirm that versions exist
Open Storage, select the routine, and choose Refresh storage. Dated rows appear after eligible files have been replaced. A blank list usually means Time Vault is off or no previously backed-up file has changed and been backed up again yet.
Search the current and earlier copies
Open Restore, choose the routine and protected source, select Include Time Vault, then choose Search. Use the Version and Modified columns to identify the copy you want.
Restore safely and compare
Select the earlier version, choose Another folder, and keep Keep both when a file already exists. Preview the restore, restore the file, then open it and compare it with the current copy.
Review retention and space
In Storage, expand Retention rules to choose which old snapshots qualify for cleanup. Preview the result before selecting and permanently deleting any snapshot. Current backup files remain separate.