[Hosts] Backup Settings (#37778)

<!-- Enter a brief description/summary of your PR here. What does it
fix/what does it change/how was it tested (even manually, if necessary)?
-->
## Summary of the Pull Request

Add backup settings for the Hosts File Editor to allow users to
customize the existing hardcoded logic.

<!-- Please review the items on the PR checklist before submitting-->
## PR Checklist

- [x] **Closes:** #37666
- [ ] **Communication:** I've discussed this with core contributors
already. If work hasn't been agreed, this work might be rejected
- [x] **Tests:** Added/updated and all pass
- [ ] **Localization:** All end user facing strings can be localized
- [ ] **Dev docs:** Added/updated
- [ ] **New binaries:** Added on the required places
- [ ] [JSON for
signing](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_core.json)
for new binaries
- [ ] [WXS for
installer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/installer/PowerToysSetup/Product.wxs)
for new binaries and localization folder
- [ ] [YML for CI
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/ci/templates/build-powertoys-steps.yml)
for new test projects
- [ ] [YML for signed
pipeline](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/.pipelines/release.yml)
- [x] **Documentation updated:** If checked, please file a pull request
on [our docs
repo](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-uwp/tree/docs/hub/powertoys)
and link it here:
https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-dev-docs/pull/5342

<!-- Provide a more detailed description of the PR, other things fixed
or any additional comments/features here -->
## Detailed Description of the Pull Request / Additional comments

<img width="707" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e114431e-60e0-4b8c-bba7-df23f7af0182"
/>

<img width="707" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a02b591e-eb46-4964-bee7-548ec175b3aa"
/>

<img width="707" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6eb0ff21-74fa-4229-8832-df2df877b5cd"
/>

<!-- Describe how you validated the behavior. Add automated tests
wherever possible, but list manual validation steps taken as well -->
## Validation Steps Performed

- Backup on: verified that backup isn't executed
- Backups off: Verified that only one backup is executed
- Verified that backup is located in the expected path
- Auto delete is set to "never": verified that no backups are deleted
- Auto delete is set to "based on count": verified that backups are
deleted according to count value
- Auto delete is set to "based on age and count": verified that backups
are deleted according to days and count values
- Verified that files without the backup pattern aren't deleted
- There is also adequate test coverage for these scenarios 🚀

---------

Co-authored-by: Gordon Lam (SH) <yeelam@microsoft.com>

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts.FuzzTests/FuzzTests.cs

@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
 // Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
-using System;
-using System.IO;
-using System.IO.Abstractions.TestingHelpers;
 using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
-using System.Threading.Tasks;
 
 using Hosts.Tests.Mocks;
 using HostsUILib.Helpers;
@@ -19,6 +15,7 @@ namespace Hosts.FuzzTests
     {
         private static Mock<IUserSettings> _userSettings;
         private static Mock<IElevationHelper> _elevationHelper;
+        private static Mock<IBackupManager> _backupManager;
 
         // Case1： Fuzzing method for ValidIPv4
         public static void FuzzValidIPv4(ReadOnlySpan<byte> input)
@@ -73,9 +70,10 @@ namespace Hosts.FuzzTests
                 _userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
                 _elevationHelper = new Mock<IElevationHelper>();
                 _elevationHelper.Setup(m => m.IsElevated).Returns(true);
+                _backupManager = new Mock<IBackupManager>();
 
                 var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-                var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+                var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
 
                 string input = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(data);
 

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts.FuzzTests/HostsEditor.FuzzTests.csproj

@@ -30,8 +30,11 @@
 	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Models\Entry.cs" Link="Entry.cs" />
 	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Models\HostsData.cs" Link="HostsData.cs" />
 	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Settings\HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.cs" Link="HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.cs" />
+	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Settings\HostsDeleteBackupMode.cs" Link="HostsDeleteBackupMode.cs" />
 	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Settings\HostsEncoding.cs" Link="HostsEncoding.cs" />
 	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Settings\IUserSettings.cs" Link="IUserSettings.cs" />
+	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Helpers\IBackupManager.cs" Link="IBackupManager.cs" />
+	  <Compile Include="..\HostsUILib\Helpers\BackupManager.cs" Link="BackupManager.cs" />
 	</ItemGroup>
 
 	<ItemGroup>

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts.Tests/BackupManagerTest.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+using System;
+using System.IO.Abstractions.TestingHelpers;
+using HostsUILib.Helpers;
+using HostsUILib.Settings;
+using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
+using Moq;
+
+namespace Hosts.Tests
+{
+    [TestClass]
+    public class BackupManagerTest
+    {
+        private const string HostsPath = @"C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts";
+        private const string BackupPath = @"C:\Backup\hosts";
+        private const string BackupSearchPattern = $"*_PowerToysBackup_*";
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public void Hosts_Backup_Not_Executed()
+        {
+            var fileSystem = new MockFileSystem();
+            SetupFiles(fileSystem, true);
+            var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupHosts).Returns(false);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, userSettings.Object);
+            backupManager.Create(HostsPath);
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(0, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern).Length);
+        }
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public void Hosts_Backup_Executed_Once()
+        {
+            var fileSystem = new MockFileSystem();
+            SetupFiles(fileSystem, true);
+            var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupHosts).Returns(true);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, userSettings.Object);
+            backupManager.Create(HostsPath);
+            backupManager.Create(HostsPath);
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(1, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern).Length);
+            var hostsContent = fileSystem.File.ReadAllText(HostsPath);
+            var backupContent = fileSystem.File.ReadAllText(fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern)[0]);
+            Assert.AreEqual(hostsContent, backupContent);
+        }
+
+        [DataTestMethod]
+        [DataRow(-10, -10)]
+        [DataRow(-10, 0)]
+        [DataRow(-10, 10)]
+        [DataRow(0, -10)]
+        [DataRow(0, 0)]
+        [DataRow(0, 10)]
+        [DataRow(10, -10)]
+        [DataRow(10, 0)]
+        [DataRow(10, 10)]
+        public void Hosts_Backups_Delete_Never(int count, int days)
+        {
+            var fileSystem = new MockFileSystem();
+            SetupFiles(fileSystem, false);
+            var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsMode).Returns(HostsDeleteBackupMode.Never);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, userSettings.Object);
+            backupManager.Delete();
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(30, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern).Length);
+            Assert.AreEqual(31, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath).Length);
+        }
+
+        [DataTestMethod]
+        [DataRow(-10, 30)]
+        [DataRow(0, 30)]
+        [DataRow(10, 10)]
+        public void Hosts_Backups_Delete_ByCount(int count, int expectedBackups)
+        {
+            var fileSystem = new MockFileSystem();
+            SetupFiles(fileSystem, false);
+            var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsMode).Returns(HostsDeleteBackupMode.Count);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsCount).Returns(count);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, userSettings.Object);
+            backupManager.Delete();
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(expectedBackups, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern).Length);
+            Assert.AreEqual(expectedBackups + 1, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath).Length);
+        }
+
+        [DataTestMethod]
+        [DataRow(-10, -10, 30)]
+        [DataRow(-10, 0, 30)]
+        [DataRow(-10, 10, 5)]
+        [DataRow(0, -10, 30)]
+        [DataRow(0, 0, 30)]
+        [DataRow(0, 10, 5)]
+        [DataRow(10, -10, 30)]
+        [DataRow(10, 0, 30)]
+        [DataRow(5, 1, 5)]
+        [DataRow(1, 15, 10)]
+        [DataRow(2, 2, 2)]
+        public void Hosts_Backups_Delete_ByAge(int count, int days, int expectedBackups)
+        {
+            var fileSystem = new MockFileSystem();
+            SetupFiles(fileSystem, false);
+            var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsMode).Returns(HostsDeleteBackupMode.Age);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsCount).Returns(count);
+            userSettings.Setup(m => m.DeleteBackupsDays).Returns(days);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, userSettings.Object);
+            backupManager.Delete();
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(expectedBackups, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath, BackupSearchPattern).Length);
+            Assert.AreEqual(expectedBackups + 1, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath).Length);
+        }
+
+        private void SetupFiles(MockFileSystem fileSystem, bool hostsOnly)
+        {
+            fileSystem.AddDirectory(BackupPath);
+            fileSystem.AddFile(HostsPath, new MockFileData("HOSTS FILE CONTENT"));
+
+            if (hostsOnly)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var today = new DateTimeOffset(DateTime.Today);
+
+            var notBackupData = new MockFileData("NOT A BACKUP")
+            {
+                CreationTime = today.AddDays(-100),
+            };
+
+            fileSystem.AddFile(fileSystem.Path.Combine(BackupPath, "hosts_not_a_backup"), notBackupData);
+
+            // The first backup is from 5 days ago. There are 30 backups, one for each day.
+            var offset = 5;
+            for (var i = 0; i < 30; i++)
+            {
+                var backupData = new MockFileData("THIS IS A BACKUP")
+                {
+                    CreationTime = today.AddDays(-i - offset),
+                };
+
+                fileSystem.AddFile(fileSystem.Path.Combine(BackupPath, $"hosts_PowerToysBackup_{i}"), backupData);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts.Tests/HostsServiceTest.cs

@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
     [TestClass]
     public class HostsServiceTest
     {
+        private const string BackupPath = @"C:\Backup\hosts";
         private static Mock<IUserSettings> _userSettings;
         private static Mock<IElevationHelper> _elevationHelper;
+        private static Mock<IBackupManager> _backupManager;
 
         [ClassInitialize]
         public static void ClassInitialize(TestContext context)
@@ -29,27 +31,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             _userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
             _elevationHelper = new Mock<IElevationHelper>();
             _elevationHelper.Setup(m => m.IsElevated).Returns(true);
-        }
+            _backupManager = new Mock<IBackupManager>();
-
-        [TestMethod]
-        public void Hosts_Exists()
-        {
-            var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
-            fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(string.Empty));
-            var result = service.Exists();
-
-            Assert.IsTrue(result);
-        }
-
-        [TestMethod]
-        public void Hosts_Not_Exists()
-        {
-            var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
-            var result = service.Exists();
-
-            Assert.IsFalse(result);
         }
 
         [TestMethod]
@@ -67,7 +49,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
 ";
 
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -92,7 +74,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
 ";
 
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -118,7 +100,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
 ";
 
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -137,7 +119,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
         public async Task Empty_Hosts()
         {
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(string.Empty));
 
             await service.WriteAsync(string.Empty, Enumerable.Empty<Entry>());
@@ -168,7 +150,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
             var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
             userSettings.Setup(m => m.AdditionalLinesPosition).Returns(HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.Top);
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -200,7 +182,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
             var userSettings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
             userSettings.Setup(m => m.AdditionalLinesPosition).Returns(HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.Bottom);
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -224,7 +206,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
 ";
 
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await service.ReadAsync();
@@ -241,7 +223,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             var elevationHelper = new Mock<IElevationHelper>();
             elevationHelper.Setup(m => m.IsElevated).Returns(false);
 
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             await Assert.ThrowsExceptionAsync<NotRunningElevatedException>(async () => await service.WriteAsync("# Empty hosts file", Enumerable.Empty<Entry>()));
         }
 
@@ -249,7 +231,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
         public async Task Save_ReadOnlyHostsException()
         {
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
 
             var hostsFile = new MockFileData(string.Empty)
             {
@@ -265,7 +247,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
         public void Remove_ReadOnly_Attribute()
         {
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
 
             var hostsFile = new MockFileData(string.Empty)
             {
@@ -284,7 +266,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
         public async Task Save_Hidden_Hosts()
         {
             var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
-            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
 
             var hostsFile = new MockFileData(string.Empty)
             {
@@ -316,7 +298,7 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             var fs = new CustomMockFileSystem();
             var settings = new Mock<IUserSettings>();
             settings.Setup(s => s.NoLeadingSpaces).Returns(true);
-            var svc = new HostsService(fs, settings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object);
+            var svc = new HostsService(fs, settings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, _backupManager.Object);
             fs.AddFile(svc.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
 
             var data = await svc.ReadAsync();
@@ -327,5 +309,57 @@ namespace Hosts.Tests
             var result = fs.GetFile(svc.HostsFilePath);
             Assert.AreEqual(expected, result.TextContents);
         }
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public async Task Hosts_Backup_Not_Executed()
+        {
+            var content =
+@"10.1.1.1 host host.local # comment
+10.1.1.2 host2 host2.local # another comment
+";
+
+            var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
+            fileSystem.AddDirectory(BackupPath);
+            _userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupHosts).Returns(false);
+            _userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, backupManager);
+
+            fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
+
+            var data = await service.ReadAsync();
+            var entries = data.Entries.ToList();
+            entries.Add(new Entry(0, "10.1.1.30", "host30 host30.local", "new entry", false));
+            await service.WriteAsync(data.AdditionalLines, data.Entries);
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(0, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath).Length);
+        }
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public async Task Hosts_Backup_Executed_Once()
+        {
+            var content =
+@"10.1.1.1 host host.local # comment
+10.1.1.2 host2 host2.local # another comment
+";
+
+            var fileSystem = new CustomMockFileSystem();
+            _userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupHosts).Returns(true);
+            _userSettings.Setup(m => m.BackupPath).Returns(BackupPath);
+            var backupManager = new BackupManager(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object);
+            var service = new HostsService(fileSystem, _userSettings.Object, _elevationHelper.Object, backupManager);
+
+            fileSystem.AddFile(service.HostsFilePath, new MockFileData(content));
+
+            var data = await service.ReadAsync();
+            var entries = data.Entries.ToList();
+            entries.Add(new Entry(0, "10.1.1.30", "host30 host30.local", "new entry", false));
+            await service.WriteAsync(data.AdditionalLines, data.Entries);
+            await service.WriteAsync(data.AdditionalLines, data.Entries);
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(1, fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath).Length);
+            var backupContent = fileSystem.File.ReadAllText(fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(BackupPath)[0]);
+            Assert.AreEqual(content, backupContent);
+        }
     }
 }

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts/HostsXAML/App.xaml.cs

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ namespace Hosts
                 {
                     // Core Services
                     services.AddSingleton<IFileSystem, FileSystem>();
+                    services.AddSingleton<IBackupManager, BackupManager>();
                     services.AddSingleton<IHostsService, HostsService>();
                     services.AddSingleton<IUserSettings, Hosts.Settings.UserSettings>();
                     services.AddSingleton<IElevationHelper, ElevationHelper>();
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ namespace Hosts
                 }).
                 Build();
 
-            var cleanupBackupThread = new Thread(() =>
+            var deleteBackupThread = new Thread(() =>
             {
                 // Delete old backups only if running elevated
                 if (!Host.GetService<IElevationHelper>().IsElevated)
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ namespace Hosts
 
                 try
                 {
-                    Host.GetService<IHostsService>().CleanupBackup();
+                    Host.GetService<IBackupManager>().Delete();
                 }
                 catch (Exception ex)
                 {
@@ -92,8 +93,8 @@ namespace Hosts
                 }
             });
 
-            cleanupBackupThread.IsBackground = true;
+            deleteBackupThread.IsBackground = true;
-            cleanupBackupThread.Start();
+            deleteBackupThread.Start();
 
             UnhandledException += App_UnhandledException;
 

src/modules/Hosts/Hosts/Settings/UserSettings.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
@@ -45,17 +45,34 @@ namespace Hosts.Settings
         public HostsAdditionalLinesPosition AdditionalLinesPosition { get; private set; }
 
         // Moved from Settings.UI.Library
-        public HostsEncoding Encoding { get; set; }
+        public HostsEncoding Encoding { get; private set; }
+
+        public bool BackupHosts { get; private set; }
+
+        public string BackupPath { get; private set; }
+
+        // Moved from Settings.UI.Library
+        public HostsDeleteBackupMode DeleteBackupsMode { get; private set; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsDays { get; private set; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsCount { get; private set; }
 
         public event EventHandler LoopbackDuplicatesChanged;
 
         public UserSettings()
         {
             _settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
-            ShowStartupWarning = true;
+            var defaultSettings = new HostsProperties();
-            LoopbackDuplicates = false;
+            ShowStartupWarning = defaultSettings.ShowStartupWarning;
-            AdditionalLinesPosition = HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.Top;
+            LoopbackDuplicates = defaultSettings.LoopbackDuplicates;
-            Encoding = HostsEncoding.Utf8;
+            AdditionalLinesPosition = (HostsAdditionalLinesPosition)defaultSettings.AdditionalLinesPosition;
+            Encoding = (HostsEncoding)defaultSettings.Encoding;
+            BackupHosts = defaultSettings.BackupHosts;
+            BackupPath = defaultSettings.BackupPath;
+            DeleteBackupsMode = (HostsDeleteBackupMode)defaultSettings.DeleteBackupsMode;
+            DeleteBackupsDays = defaultSettings.DeleteBackupsDays;
+            DeleteBackupsCount = defaultSettings.DeleteBackupsCount;
 
             LoadSettingsFromJson();
 
@@ -91,6 +108,11 @@ namespace Hosts.Settings
                             Encoding = (HostsEncoding)settings.Properties.Encoding;
                             LoopbackDuplicates = settings.Properties.LoopbackDuplicates;
                             NoLeadingSpaces = settings.Properties.NoLeadingSpaces;
+                            BackupHosts = settings.Properties.BackupHosts;
+                            BackupPath = settings.Properties.BackupPath;
+                            DeleteBackupsMode = (HostsDeleteBackupMode)settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsMode;
+                            DeleteBackupsDays = settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsDays;
+                            DeleteBackupsCount = settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsCount;
                         }
 
                         retry = false;

src/modules/Hosts/HostsModuleInterface/HostsModuleInterface.vcxproj

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <Project DefaultTargets="Build" ToolsVersion="15.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
   <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" />
   <Target Name="GenerateResourceFiles" BeforeTargets="PrepareForBuild">
-    <Exec Command="powershell -NonInteractive -executionpolicy Unrestricted $(SolutionDir)tools\build\convert-resx-to-rc.ps1 $(MSBuildThisFileDirectory) resource.base.h resource.h HostsModuleInterface.base.rc HostsModuleInterface.rc" />
+    <Exec Command="powershell -NonInteractive -executionpolicy Unrestricted ..\..\..\..\tools\build\convert-resx-to-rc.ps1 $(MSBuildThisFileDirectory) resource.base.h resource.h HostsModuleInterface.base.rc HostsModuleInterface.rc" />
   </Target>
   <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
     <VCProjectVersion>16.0</VCProjectVersion>
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
   </PropertyGroup>
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <ClCompile>
-      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>$(SolutionDir)src\;$(SolutionDir)src\modules;$(SolutionDir)src\common\Telemetry;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
+      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..\..\..\common\inc;..\..\..\common\Telemetry;..\..\;..\..\..\;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
     </ClCompile>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
   <ItemGroup>

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Helpers/BackupManager.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.IO.Abstractions;
+using System.Linq;
+using HostsUILib.Settings;
+
+namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
+{
+    public class BackupManager : IBackupManager
+    {
+        private const string BackupSuffix = "_PowerToysBackup_";
+        private readonly IFileSystem _fileSystem;
+        private readonly IUserSettings _userSettings;
+        private bool _backupDone;
+
+        public BackupManager(IFileSystem fileSystem, IUserSettings userSettings)
+        {
+            _fileSystem = fileSystem;
+            _userSettings = userSettings;
+        }
+
+        public void Create(string hostsFilePath)
+        {
+            if (_backupDone || !_userSettings.BackupHosts || !_fileSystem.File.Exists(hostsFilePath))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                if (!_fileSystem.Directory.Exists(_userSettings.BackupPath))
+                {
+                    _fileSystem.Directory.CreateDirectory(_userSettings.BackupPath);
+                }
+
+                var backupPath = _fileSystem.Path.Combine(_userSettings.BackupPath, $"hosts{BackupSuffix}{DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)}");
+
+                _fileSystem.File.Copy(hostsFilePath, backupPath);
+                _backupDone = true;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                LoggerInstance.Logger.LogError("Backup failed", ex);
+            }
+        }
+
+        public void Delete()
+        {
+            switch (_userSettings.DeleteBackupsMode)
+            {
+                case HostsDeleteBackupMode.Count:
+                    DeleteByCount(_userSettings.DeleteBackupsCount);
+                    break;
+                case HostsDeleteBackupMode.Age:
+                    DeleteByAge(_userSettings.DeleteBackupsDays, _userSettings.DeleteBackupsCount);
+                    break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        public void DeleteByCount(int count)
+        {
+            if (count < 1)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var backups = GetAll().OrderByDescending(f => f.CreationTime).Skip(count).ToArray();
+            DeleteAll(backups);
+        }
+
+        public void DeleteByAge(int days, int count)
+        {
+            if (days < 1)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var backupsEnumerable = GetAll();
+
+            if (count > 0)
+            {
+                backupsEnumerable = backupsEnumerable.OrderByDescending(f => f.CreationTime).Skip(count);
+            }
+
+            var backups = backupsEnumerable.Where(f => f.CreationTime < DateTime.Now.AddDays(-days)).ToArray();
+            DeleteAll(backups);
+        }
+
+        private IEnumerable<IFileInfo> GetAll()
+        {
+            if (!_fileSystem.Directory.Exists(_userSettings.BackupPath))
+            {
+                return [];
+            }
+
+            return _fileSystem.Directory.GetFiles(_userSettings.BackupPath, $"*{BackupSuffix}*").Select(_fileSystem.FileInfo.New);
+        }
+
+        private void DeleteAll(IFileInfo[] files)
+        {
+            foreach (var f in files)
+            {
+                _fileSystem.File.Delete(f.FullName);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Helpers/HostsService.cs

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Diagnostics;
-using System.Globalization;
 using System.IO;
 using System.IO.Abstractions;
 using System.Linq;
@@ -23,16 +22,15 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
 {
     public partial class HostsService : IHostsService, IDisposable
     {
-        private const string _backupSuffix = $"_PowerToysBackup_";
+        private const int DefaultBufferSize = 4096; // From System.IO.File source code
-        private const int _defaultBufferSize = 4096; // From System.IO.File source code
 
         private readonly SemaphoreSlim _asyncLock = new SemaphoreSlim(1, 1);
         private readonly IFileSystem _fileSystem;
         private readonly IUserSettings _userSettings;
         private readonly IElevationHelper _elevationHelper;
         private readonly IFileSystemWatcher _fileSystemWatcher;
+        private readonly IBackupManager _backupManager;
         private readonly string _hostsFilePath;
-        private bool _backupDone;
         private bool _disposed;
 
         public string HostsFilePath => _hostsFilePath;
@@ -44,11 +42,13 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
         public HostsService(
             IFileSystem fileSystem,
             IUserSettings userSettings,
-            IElevationHelper elevationHelper)
+            IElevationHelper elevationHelper,
+            IBackupManager backupManager)
         {
             _fileSystem = fileSystem;
             _userSettings = userSettings;
             _elevationHelper = elevationHelper;
+            _backupManager = backupManager;
 
             _hostsFilePath = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Windows), @"System32\drivers\etc\hosts");
 
@@ -60,18 +60,13 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
             _fileSystemWatcher.EnableRaisingEvents = true;
         }
 
-        public bool Exists()
-        {
-            return _fileSystem.File.Exists(HostsFilePath);
-        }
-
         public async Task<HostsData> ReadAsync()
         {
             var entries = new List<Entry>();
             var unparsedBuilder = new StringBuilder();
             var splittedEntries = false;
 
-            if (!Exists())
+            if (!_fileSystem.File.Exists(HostsFilePath))
             {
                 return new HostsData(entries, unparsedBuilder.ToString(), false);
             }
@@ -192,15 +187,10 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
             {
                 await _asyncLock.WaitAsync();
                 _fileSystemWatcher.EnableRaisingEvents = false;
-
+                _backupManager.Create(HostsFilePath);
-                if (!_backupDone && Exists())
-                {
-                    _fileSystem.File.Copy(HostsFilePath, HostsFilePath + _backupSuffix + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
-                    _backupDone = true;
-                }
 
                 // FileMode.OpenOrCreate is necessary to prevent UnauthorizedAccessException when the hosts file is hidden
-                using var stream = _fileSystem.FileStream.New(HostsFilePath, FileMode.OpenOrCreate, FileAccess.Write, FileShare.Read, _defaultBufferSize, FileOptions.Asynchronous);
+                using var stream = _fileSystem.FileStream.New(HostsFilePath, FileMode.OpenOrCreate, FileAccess.Write, FileShare.Read, DefaultBufferSize, FileOptions.Asynchronous);
                 using var writer = new StreamWriter(stream, Encoding);
                 foreach (var line in lines)
                 {
@@ -231,15 +221,6 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
             }
         }
 
-        public void CleanupBackup()
-        {
-            Directory.GetFiles(Path.GetDirectoryName(HostsFilePath), $"*{_backupSuffix}*")
-                .Select(f => new FileInfo(f))
-                .Where(f => f.CreationTime < DateTime.Now.AddDays(-15))
-                .ToList()
-                .ForEach(f => f.Delete());
-        }
-
         public void OpenHostsFile()
         {
             var notepadFallback = false;

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Helpers/IBackupManager.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
+{
+    public interface IBackupManager
+    {
+        void Create(string hostsFilePath);
+
+        void Delete();
+    }
+}

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Helpers/IHostsService.cs

@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Helpers
 
         Task<bool> PingAsync(string address);
 
-        void CleanupBackup();
-
         void OpenHostsFile();
 
         void RemoveReadOnlyAttribute();

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Settings/HostsDeleteBackupMode.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+namespace HostsUILib.Settings
+{
+    public enum HostsDeleteBackupMode
+    {
+        Never = 0,
+        Count = 1,
+        Age = 2,
+    }
+}

src/modules/Hosts/HostsUILib/Settings/IUserSettings.cs

@@ -16,6 +16,16 @@ namespace HostsUILib.Settings
 
         public HostsEncoding Encoding { get; }
 
+        public bool BackupHosts { get; }
+
+        public string BackupPath { get; }
+
+        public HostsDeleteBackupMode DeleteBackupsMode { get; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsDays { get; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsCount { get; }
+
         event EventHandler LoopbackDuplicatesChanged;
 
         public delegate void OpenSettingsFunction();

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/Enumerations/HostsDeleteBackupMode.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+
+namespace Settings.UI.Library.Enumerations
+{
+    public enum HostsDeleteBackupMode
+    {
+        Never = 0,
+        Count = 1,
+        Age = 2,
+    }
+}

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI.Library/HostsProperties.cs

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
 // The Microsoft Corporation licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
 // See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
 
+using System;
+using System.IO;
 using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
-
-using Settings.UI.Library.Attributes;
 using Settings.UI.Library.Enumerations;
 
 namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
@@ -27,6 +27,17 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
         [JsonConverter(typeof(BoolPropertyJsonConverter))]
         public bool NoLeadingSpaces { get; set; }
 
+        [JsonConverter(typeof(BoolPropertyJsonConverter))]
+        public bool BackupHosts { get; set; }
+
+        public string BackupPath { get; set; }
+
+        public HostsDeleteBackupMode DeleteBackupsMode { get; set; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsDays { get; set; }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsCount { get; set; }
+
         public HostsProperties()
         {
             ShowStartupWarning = true;
@@ -35,6 +46,11 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library
             AdditionalLinesPosition = HostsAdditionalLinesPosition.Top;
             Encoding = HostsEncoding.Utf8;
             NoLeadingSpaces = false;
+            BackupHosts = true;
+            BackupPath = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Windows), @"System32\drivers\etc");
+            DeleteBackupsMode = HostsDeleteBackupMode.Age;
+            DeleteBackupsDays = 15;
+            DeleteBackupsCount = 5;
         }
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/HostsPage.xaml

@@ -7,9 +7,24 @@
     xmlns:local="using:Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers"
     xmlns:mc="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006"
     xmlns:tkcontrols="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI.Controls"
+    xmlns:tkconverters="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI.Converters"
     xmlns:ui="using:CommunityToolkit.WinUI"
     mc:Ignorable="d">
-
+    <Page.Resources>
+        <tkconverters:ResourceNameToResourceStringConverter x:Key="ResourceNameToResourceStringConverter" />
+        <tkconverters:DoubleToVisibilityConverter
+            x:Key="CountBasedVisibilityConverter"
+            FalseValue="Collapsed"
+            GreaterThan="0"
+            LessThan="2"
+            TrueValue="Visible" />
+        <tkconverters:DoubleToVisibilityConverter
+            x:Key="AgeBasedVisibilityConverter"
+            FalseValue="Collapsed"
+            GreaterThan="1"
+            LessThan="3"
+            TrueValue="Visible" />
+    </Page.Resources>
     <controls:SettingsPageControl x:Uid="Hosts" ModuleImageSource="ms-appx:///Assets/Settings/Modules/HostsFileEditor.png">
         <controls:SettingsPageControl.ModuleContent>
             <StackPanel ChildrenTransitions="{StaticResource SettingsCardsAnimations}" Orientation="Vertical">
@@ -70,6 +85,92 @@
                         </ComboBox>
                     </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
                 </controls:SettingsGroup>
+
+                <controls:SettingsGroup x:Uid="Hosts_Backup_GroupSettings" IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsEnabled, Mode=OneWay}">
+                    <tkcontrols:SettingsExpander
+                        x:Uid="Hosts_Backup"
+                        HeaderIcon="{ui:FontIcon Glyph=&#xEA35;}"
+                        IsExpanded="True">
+                        <ToggleSwitch IsOn="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                        <tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.Items>
+                            <tkcontrols:SettingsCard x:Uid="Hosts_Backup_Location" IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                <Grid ColumnSpacing="8">
+                                    <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                                        <ColumnDefinition Width="*" />
+                                        <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
+                                    </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
+                                    <TextBlock
+                                        x:Name="pathTextBlock"
+                                        Grid.Column="0"
+                                        VerticalAlignment="Center"
+                                        Foreground="{ThemeResource TextFillColorSecondaryBrush}"
+                                        IsTextSelectionEnabled="True"
+                                        Text="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupPath, Mode=TwoWay}"
+                                        TextWrapping="Wrap">
+                                        <ToolTipService.ToolTip>
+                                            <ToolTip IsEnabled="{Binding IsTextTrimmed, ElementName=pathTextBlock, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                                <TextBlock Text="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupPath, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                                            </ToolTip>
+                                        </ToolTipService.ToolTip>
+                                    </TextBlock>
+                                    <Button
+                                        Grid.Column="1"
+                                        Command="{x:Bind ViewModel.SelectBackupPathEventHandler}"
+                                        Content="&#xe8da;"
+                                        FontFamily="{ThemeResource SymbolThemeFontFamily}">
+                                        <ToolTipService.ToolTip>
+                                            <ToolTip>
+                                                <TextBlock x:Uid="Hosts_ButtonSelectLocation" />
+                                            </ToolTip>
+                                        </ToolTipService.ToolTip>
+                                    </Button>
+                                </Grid>
+                            </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                            <tkcontrols:SettingsCard x:Uid="Hosts_Delete_Backup" IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                <ComboBox MinWidth="{StaticResource SettingActionControlMinWidth}" SelectedIndex="{x:Bind Path=ViewModel.DeleteBackupsMode, Mode=TwoWay}">
+                                    <ComboBoxItem x:Uid="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_Never" />
+                                    <ComboBoxItem x:Uid="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_CountBased" />
+                                    <ComboBoxItem x:Uid="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_AgeAndCountBased" />
+                                </ComboBox>
+                            </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+
+                            <!--  Count  -->
+                            <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                                x:Name="BackupsCountInputSettingsCard"
+                                IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=OneWay}"
+                                Visibility="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsMode, Converter={StaticResource CountBasedVisibilityConverter}, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                <NumberBox
+                                    MinWidth="{StaticResource SettingActionControlMinWidth}"
+                                    Minimum="{x:Bind ViewModel.MinimumBackupsCount, Mode=OneWay}"
+                                    SpinButtonPlacementMode="Compact"
+                                    Value="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsCount, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                            </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+
+                            <!--  Age and count  -->
+                            <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                                x:Uid="Hosts_Backup_DaysInput"
+                                IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=OneWay}"
+                                Visibility="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsMode, Converter={StaticResource AgeBasedVisibilityConverter}, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                <NumberBox
+                                    MinWidth="{StaticResource SettingActionControlMinWidth}"
+                                    Minimum="1"
+                                    SpinButtonPlacementMode="Compact"
+                                    Value="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsDays, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                            </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+                            <tkcontrols:SettingsCard
+                                x:Name="BackupsCountInputAgeSettingsCard"
+                                IsEnabled="{x:Bind ViewModel.BackupHosts, Mode=OneWay}"
+                                Visibility="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsMode, Converter={StaticResource AgeBasedVisibilityConverter}, Mode=OneWay}">
+                                <NumberBox
+                                    MinWidth="{StaticResource SettingActionControlMinWidth}"
+                                    Minimum="{x:Bind ViewModel.MinimumBackupsCount, Mode=OneWay}"
+                                    SpinButtonPlacementMode="Compact"
+                                    Value="{x:Bind ViewModel.DeleteBackupsCount, Mode=TwoWay}" />
+                            </tkcontrols:SettingsCard>
+
+                        </tkcontrols:SettingsExpander.Items>
+                    </tkcontrols:SettingsExpander>
+                </controls:SettingsGroup>
             </StackPanel>
         </controls:SettingsPageControl.ModuleContent>
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/HostsPage.xaml.cs

@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
             InitializeComponent();
             var settingsUtils = new SettingsUtils();
             ViewModel = new HostsViewModel(settingsUtils, SettingsRepository<GeneralSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), SettingsRepository<HostsSettings>.GetInstance(settingsUtils), ShellPage.SendDefaultIPCMessage, App.IsElevated);
+            BackupsCountInputSettingsCard.Header = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Header");
+            BackupsCountInputSettingsCard.Description = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Description");
+            BackupsCountInputAgeSettingsCard.Header = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Header");
+            BackupsCountInputAgeSettingsCard.Description = ResourceLoaderInstance.ResourceLoader.GetString("Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Age_Description");
         }
 
         public void RefreshEnabledState()

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/Strings/en-us/Resources.resw

@@ -5599,4 +5599,48 @@ To record a specific window, enter the hotkey with the Alt key in the opposite m
   <data name="Shortcut_Conflict_LearnMore.Content" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Learn more</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_GroupSettings.Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Backup</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup.Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Backup hosts file</value>
+    <comment>"Hosts" refers to the system hosts file, do not loc</comment>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup.Description" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Automatically create a backup of the hosts file when you save for the first time in a session</value>
+    <comment>"Hosts" refers to the system hosts file, do not loc</comment>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_Location.Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Location</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_ButtonSelectLocation.Text" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Select location</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Delete_Backup.Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Automatically delete backups</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_DaysInput.Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Days</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Description" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Set the number of backups to keep. Older backups will be deleted once the limit is reached.</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_DaysInput.Description" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Set the number of days to keep backups. Older backups will be deleted once the limit is reached.</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_Never.Content" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Never</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_CountBased.Content" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Based on count</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_DeleteBackupMode_AgeAndCountBased.Content" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Based on age and count</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Age_Description" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Set an optional number of backups to always keep despite their age</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="Hosts_Backup_CountInput_Header" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Backup count</value>
+  </data>
 </root>

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/ViewModels/HostsViewModel.cs

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
 using System;
 using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
 using System.Threading;
-
 using global::PowerToys.GPOWrapper;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Interfaces;
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
 
         public ButtonClickCommand LaunchEventHandler => new ButtonClickCommand(Launch);
 
+        public ButtonClickCommand SelectBackupPathEventHandler => new ButtonClickCommand(SelectBackupPath);
+
         public bool IsEnabled
         {
             get => _isEnabled;
@@ -144,6 +146,74 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             }
         }
 
+        public bool BackupHosts
+        {
+            get => Settings.Properties.BackupHosts;
+            set
+            {
+                if (value != Settings.Properties.BackupHosts)
+                {
+                    Settings.Properties.BackupHosts = value;
+                    NotifyPropertyChanged();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public string BackupPath
+        {
+            get => Settings.Properties.BackupPath;
+            set
+            {
+                if (value != Settings.Properties.BackupPath)
+                {
+                    Settings.Properties.BackupPath = value;
+                    NotifyPropertyChanged();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsMode
+        {
+            get => (int)Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsMode;
+            set
+            {
+                if (value != (int)Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsMode)
+                {
+                    Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsMode = (HostsDeleteBackupMode)value;
+                    NotifyPropertyChanged();
+                    OnPropertyChanged(nameof(MinimumBackupsCount));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsDays
+        {
+            get => Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsDays;
+            set
+            {
+                if (value != Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsDays)
+                {
+                    Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsDays = value;
+                    NotifyPropertyChanged();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public int DeleteBackupsCount
+        {
+            get => Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsCount;
+            set
+            {
+                if (value != Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsCount)
+                {
+                    Settings.Properties.DeleteBackupsCount = value;
+                    NotifyPropertyChanged();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        public int MinimumBackupsCount => DeleteBackupsMode == 1 ? 1 : 0;
+
         public HostsViewModel(ISettingsUtils settingsUtils, ISettingsRepository<GeneralSettings> settingsRepository, ISettingsRepository<HostsSettings> moduleSettingsRepository, Func<string, int> ipcMSGCallBackFunc, bool isElevated)
         {
             SettingsUtils = settingsUtils;
@@ -192,5 +262,18 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels
             InitializeEnabledValue();
             OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsEnabled));
         }
+
+        public void SelectBackupPath()
+        {
+            // This function was changed to use the shell32 API to open folder dialog
+            // as the old one (PickSingleFolderAsync) can't work when the process is elevated
+            // TODO: go back PickSingleFolderAsync when it's fixed
+            var hwnd = WinRT.Interop.WindowNative.GetWindowHandle(App.GetSettingsWindow());
+            var result = ShellGetFolder.GetFolderDialog(hwnd);
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(result))
+            {
+                BackupPath = result;
+            }
+        }
     }
 }