Windows 10 File History Not Working

Been working on this all afternoon with no luck. I have used the Windows 7 backup feature for a while on a Dell laptop. I just switched over to a Surface Pro 3 (and have Windows 10). I moved my files over to the new Surface, then wanted to start using the same external drive from the Windows 7 backup tool for File History. It set up just fine, but then wouldn’t actually start backing anything up. So I decided to erase/reformatt my external drive and start from scratch with File History. Now I can’t even get it to enable File History.

• Yes, I’ve tried «see advanced settings» > «select drive» — my drive is there, but «turn on» just gives me various errors such as:
  • The system cannot find the file specified
  • some error about the kernel — can’t remember
• Yes, I’ve restarted my computer multiple times
• Yes, I’ve disconnected/reconnected my USB drive multiple times
• Yes, I’ve checked the permissions on the USB drive to be sure full control is given
• Yes, I’ve tried with a different drive (a USB thumb drive) and I get the same behavior
• Every time I try to «Add a drive» a list comes up showing the drive, but when I click on it, nothing happens.
• When I go look at the USB drive in explorer, there is a FileHistory folder that has a folder titled [myusername]@[mycompanydomain].local and then inside that folder are multiple folders titled MPC42, MPC42 (2), MPC42 (3), etc. MPC42 is my computer name. I think every time I attempt to «Add a drive» it adds another MPC (n) folder to that list. If I go into those folders, there are two empty folders titled data and configuration.
• Yes, I tried restarting the Windows Search service a few times.
• Yes, my Windows 10 is completely up to date.

I’m frustrated to say the least, especially considering this is a new Surface, with a clean installation of Windows 10 and a reformatted (NTFS) external USB drive.

Устранение неполадок с историей файлов в Windows Server Essentials Troubleshoot File History in Windows Server Essentials

Область применения: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials Applies To: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials

Устранение неполадок с резервными копиями истории файлов Troubleshoot issues with user File History backups

При управлении резервными копиями истории файлов для пользователя или компьютера, который был добавлен на сервер под управлением Windows Server Essentials, могут возникнуть следующие проблемы. The following issues might occur while managing File History backups for a user or a computer that has been added to a server running Windows Server Essentials.

Данные истории файлов не удаляются автоматически File History data is not automatically deleted

Данные истории файлов могут не удаляться автоматически в следующих случаях. The File History data may not get deleted automatically if:

При удалении учетной записи пользователя вы решили не удалять данные журнала файлов учетной записи пользователя и удалять их вручную. When deleting a user account, you choose to not delete the user account’s File History data, and opt to delete the data manually.

Если при попытке удаления данных истории файлов эти данные уже используются другим процессом. When you try to delete the File History data, the File History data is in use by other process.

Чтобы устранить эту проблему, необходимо вручную удалить историю файлов, используя следующую процедуру. To resolve this issue, you must manually delete the File History using the following procedure:

Ручное удаление резервных копий журнала файлов для пользователя или компьютера To manually delete File History backups for a user or a computer

Войдите на сервер с учетной записью администратора. Log on to the server as an administrator.

Запустите проводник от имени администратора. Run File Explorer as an administrator.

Перейдите к папке резервных копий истории файлов. Navigate to the File History Backups folder. Расположение по умолчанию — C:\ServerFolders\File History Backups. The default location is C:\ServerFolders\File History Backups.

Удалите общую папку, в которой находится резервная копия истории файлов. Delete the shared folder that stores the File History backup:

Чтобы удалить историю файлов для пользователя, удалите дочернюю папку резервной копии журнала файлов с именем пользователя. To delete file history for a user, delete the File History backup child folder that has the user’s name.

Чтобы удалить историю файлов для компьютера, удалите резервную дочернюю папку истории файлов с именем компьютера. To delete file history for a computer, delete the File History backup child folder that has the computer name. Например, если пользователь > прекратил работу , вы должны удалить резервные копии журнала К:\серверфолдерс\филе \ \ после того как пользователь проверит, что все файлы и папки передавались на новый портативный компьютер и не нуждается в истории файлов в будущем. For example, if a user retired after she began working on her new laptop, , you would delete C:\ServerFolders\File History Backups\ \ after you verify with the user that she has transferred all files and folders to her new laptop and has no need for the file history in the future.

Не удается применить параметр истории файлов для нового пользователя Cannot apply File History setting to a new user

При добавлении нового пользователя, имя которого совпадает с именем пользователя, удаленного из Windows Server Essentials, конфигурирование истории файлов для нового пользователя может завершиться ошибкой из-за конфликта имен при попытке Windows Server Essentials создать папку для хранения истории файлов нового пользователя. If you add a new user whose user name is identical to the user name of a user that has been deleted from Windows Server Essentials, the File History configuration for the new user might fail because of a naming conflict when Windows Server Essentials attempts to create a folder to store the new user’s file history. Чтобы устранить эту проблему, переименуйте папку истории файлов для удаленного пользователя. To resolve this issue, you can rename the File History folder for the deleted user.

Поиск истории файлов пользователя на сервере To locate user file history on the server

Войдите на сервер с учетной записью администратора. Log on to the server as an administrator.

На панели мониторинга Windows Server Essentials щелкните Хранение. On the Windows Server Essentials Dashboard, click Storage.

Запомните путь к папке резервных копий истории файлов с вкладки Папки сервера. On the Server Folders tab, note the location of the File History Backups folder. Расположение по умолчанию —%Системдриве%\серверфолдерс\филе History Backups \ . The default location is %SystemDrive%\ServerFolders\File History Backups\.

Решение проблем с историей файлов для новых пользователей с конфликтом имен To resolve file history issues for a new user with a name conflict

Войдите на сервер с учетной записью администратора. Log on to the server as an administrator.

Запустите проводник от имени администратора. Run File Explorer as an administrator.

Перейдите к папке резервных копий истории файлов. Navigate to the File History Backups folder. Расположение по умолчанию — C:\ServerFolders\File History Backups. The default location is C:\ServerFolders\File History Backups.

Папка резервных копий истории файлов содержит вложенную папку для каждой учетной записи пользователя, которая была добавлена в Windows Server Essentials. The File History Backups folder has a subfolder for each user account that has been added to Windows Server Essentials. Например, история файлов для пользователя John Smith будет храниться во вложенной папке File History Backups\JohnSmith. For example, the file history for the user John Smith would be stored in the subfolder File History Backups\JohnSmith.

Переименуйте вложенную папку удаленного пользователя, например _Deleted. Rename the subfolder for the user that you deleted, for example, _Deleted. Если история файлов пользователя больше не нужна, можно удалить эту папку. If you no longer need the user’s file history, you can delete the folder.

Теперь можно добавить нового пользователя. You can now add the new user. Инструкции см. в разделе Добавление учетной записи пользователя. в окне Управление учетными записями пользователей. For instructions, see Add a user account? in Manage User Accounts.

Учетная запись пользователя была удалена, но история файлов осталась A user account was removed, but the user’s file history remains

В некоторых случаях сетевой администратор может удалить пользователя или компьютер с сервера, но оставить резервную копию истории файлов для использования в будущем. In some cases the network administrator might choose to remove a user or computer from the server, but to keep the File History backup for future use. Если история файлов больше не нужна, удалите папку резервных копий истории файлов для пользователя или компьютера из общих папок на сервере. When you no longer need the file history, remove the File History Backups folder for the user or the computer from shared folders on the server. Для этого см. To manually delete File History backups for a user or a computer. To do this, see To manually delete File History backups for a user or a computer.

9 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 10 File Backup Not Working

by Anna Sherry Updated on 2019-11-30 / Update for Data Backup

«Windows 10 Pro File History not working. File History is on and apparently running ‘File History is saving copies of your files’, however, days later there are still no files on my backup drive. I opened the event logs and there are numerous errors and warnings: ‘Unable to scan user libraries for changes and perform backup of modified files for configuration C:\Users\sibij\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config’.»

«File History Stopped Working. get the following error message in a popup window: ‘We can’t copy files to your file history drive’ ‘Failed to initiate user data backup'(error 80070005)»

«‘We cannot copy your files to this location’, ‘Your current File History drive is disconnected. Reconnect the drive and try again’. «

It is very sad and frustrating that when you are trying to back up files on your Windows 10 computer, you are getting error messages or the feature is not working altogether. The described case is not the only complain by the users. There are several types of issues generated due to the use of this feature. But don’t worry, there are ways to fix file history Windows 10. Just read the article below. You will get acquainted with all the necessary details.

Part 1. Common Windows 10 File Backup Not Working Issues

Backing up your files is a great decision to protect your files from data loss or corruption. Windows 10 is the latest version of the said OS and the most advanced one yet.

1. Unable to Backup Files

Windows 10 backup has stopped backing up files, altogether. Every time users are trying to use this feature, they are getting either an error or the system is simply not working.

2. Windows 10 Backup Keeps Stopping Working

Many users have also reported that the Windows 10 backup has stopped working while it was making the backup. This is quite disappointing, they had to start from the beginning.

3. File History Not Running Automatically

Most of the users generally use scheduling to back up their files on a daily basis. Some users have claimed that after properly running for a few months, the Windows 10 backup system has stopped working altogether.

4. File History Doesn’t Recognize This Drive

Quite a few users have complained about this issue. The Windows 10 backup is failing to recognize my connected backup drive after it is launched.

5. Windows 10 Backup Fails to Back up All Files

The Windows 10 backup is supposed to back up the files you have selected for it. But users have claimed that very frequently the system is skipping files while making the backup of a large number of files.

Part 2. 9 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 10 File Backup Not Working

So, if Windows 10 file history backup has stopped working properly, you can use the following methods to make it work properly, again. These are simple fixes, advanced technical knowledge is not required for the executions if you just follow the detailed steps very carefully.

Method 1. Make Sure «Automatically back up my files» is Turned On

You also have to make sure that «Automatically back up my files» option on Windows 10 File History is turned on by going to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. If that option is not turned on, Windows will not make scheduled backups of your files.

Method 2. Turn off File History and Turn It on

The very first method you can try to fix Windows file history on your Windows 10 computer is by turning the File History feature off and then turning it on, again. Use the steps detailed below.

Step 1: Go to the Settings of your Windows 10 PC and click on «Update & Security».

Step 2: Now, in the following panel you will find the «Backup» option at the left side of the panel.

Step 3: Click on it and you will see the «Automatically Back Up My Files» option at the right side of the screen. Click on the switch and turn off the said option if it was turned on.

Step 4: After that, you can you the same method to turn on the «Automatically Back Up My Files» option.

File History option on your Windows 10 has been activated. You can click on «More Option» and make changes to the settings.

Method 3: Enable File History Service and Windows Search

If that didn’t work for your computer, then enable the File History Service and Windows Search on your computer. The steps are pretty simple, they are detailed below.

Step 1: You need to click on the Search bar and type «service.msc» and click on «Services» from the results.

Step 2: Then, look for «File History Service and Windows Search».

Step 3: Upon finding it, you need to check if «Automatic Startup» is enabled on these services.

Step 4: If not, double-click on these services and change the «Startup Type» to «Automatic».

Method 4: Disable and Enable System Protection

You can try to disable and then enabling the System Protection on your Windows PC. Some users have reported that after disabling and enabling the System Protection, they have found Windows 10 File History working in perfect order.

Step 1: Simply, go to the «Control Panel» of your Windows 10 PC and click on «System & Security».

Step 2: Then, navigate to «System» and click on «System Protection».

Step 3: Now, select a particular drive and click «Configure».

Step 4: Lastly, click «Disable System Protection» and after a few seconds click «Turn on System Protection».

Method 5. Reset File History

Even if that, didn’t work and File History is still not working; you can try and reset the File History. First of all, turn off the File History feature, and then follow the steps.

Step 1: Go to delete the configuration files for File History. Just go to the following:

Step 2: Now, turn on File History, following the procedures described in «Method 1». You also need to select to use the same backup drive as before.

Method 6. View Recent Errors in the Event Viewer

Most of the time, we don’t get to know the type of error affecting the performance File History on your Windows 10 OS. It is possible that viewing the recent errors will point out to a possible solution, resulting in a fixed File History. So, in order to do that, you have to go to «Event Viewer». The steps are pretty simple and they are detailed below.

Step 1: Click on «Start» and navigate to «Programs».

Step 2: After that, click on «Administrative Tools» and then click on «Event Viewer».

Step 3: On the following panel, make a right-click on the proper log file. Immediately a list of events will be displayed on the screen.

Step 4: Here, you can click on the specific events and the panel will show you intricate details regarding that specific event.

Method 7. Reconnect the Drive

If file History is unable to connect the backup drive, where you keep all your files backups for Window 10. Then, simply eject the connected drive and connect the drive back again.

Now, Windows 10 File History may detect the presence of a connected drive.

Method 8. Stop Using This Drive and Change to another Disk

On the other hand, if your connected drive is not getting by File History, then it is probably the fault of the drive itself. As mentioned earlier, you can reconnect the drive but if you are using an old external drive to store your back up files, then there is a huge possibility that the drive got damaged.

It will be very easy for you to figure out the issue, just stop using drive and add another drive for file history.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Update & security icon > Backup > More options on the right side.

Step 2. Click on Stop using drive under Back up to a different drive.

Step 3. Click on the back arrow at the top left corner and click on Add a drive on the right side to add a File History drive.

Method 9. Keep Saved Versions to Forever

There is a possibility that changing the setting of File History, may change the disruption you are getting with File History. Just follow the steps below;

Step 1: Just go to the «Control Panel» on your computer and click on «System & Security».

Step 2: Then, find «File History» and look for «Advanced Settings».

Step 3: Inside advanced settings you will find the option «Keep Saved versions». There will be a drop menu beside it, click on it and select «Forever».

Part 3. The Final Resort: Backup Windows 10 with File History Alternative

Even though all these fixes are great and they are capable of fixing File History on Windows 10, there are actually better options available for backing up your Windows 10 files. We are referring to 3rd party programs that can be used to back up your files effectively. They will not present with any such error and complete the task efficiently and with ease.

The program we have chosen for this task is called Tenorshare Free Data Backup. This is a quite popular data backup software for Windows users and also very simple to use. Let’s have a look at the steps below;

Step 1 Download and install the said program on your computer and launch it. There are several options available on the program interface. Here we take Disk to Image for example.

Step 2 On the following screen, select the disk you want to backup and click on Next button.

Step 3 Then, choose the target partition or drive where the cloned disk will be saved. Select a hard drive and click on Next to continue.

Step 4 Choose a compression level and click on Next to start backing up your data on your computer.

Summary

Therefore, if you are facing issues with your File History on Windows 10, you will be able to fix the issue very easily using the 9 very effective methods mentioned in the article. But it will be better for you to use Tenorshare Free Data Backup for making backups for your files, as it works more efficiently and does not cause any issues.

Updated on 2019-11-30 / Update for Data Backup