Windows 10: How to merge to File History backups

When I switched from one windows 10 device to another, I moved all my files across, and brought across the same backup drive. However, due to user error I ended up with a whole new File History folder on my back up drive. So my question is how do I combine the two File Histories?


the filepaths of the two folders containing backups are:


f:\filehistory\myname\desktop-xxxxxxx created 1/12/19 when new pc bought, currently in use

f:\filehistory\myname\desktop-yyyyyyy created 1/10/18 when first pc bought, not used since new pc bought

:)

 

How can one merge Windows File History Backups

Background

I've had Windows file history configured to backup to a network folder for the past couple of years.

I now need more space than the company NAS can supply so I

1. told windows to stop using the network drive,
   
2. moved the File History directory from my NAS to an external HD,
   
3. and configured windows to use the external drive for file history.
   

When I use windows explorer to view the history of a folder, the earliest versions that show up are from when I reconfigured file history to use the new drive; versions that I copied from the network drive do not show up.

I've investigated and found that there are now two folders for my computer in the File History directory:

• {My Ext HD}:\\FileHistory\{My username}\{My computer's name}\
  
• {My Ext HD}:\\FileHistory\{My username}\{My computer's name} (2)\
  

Judging by the modification dates on these two folders, the current backups are all being stored in {My computer's name} (2)

How can I access my older backup revisions?

• Can I simply merge these two folders, or will that mess up Windows?
  
• If I can't fully merge them, is there at least a way I could access revisions from the old folder?
  

Notes

• The old backups span Windows 8.1 and an upgrade to Windows 10
  
• They are very large backups so I'd like to avoid the trial and error approach of creating a copy of the File History folder (which would take over a day) and trying to merge the folders to see what windows does.
  

 

How can one merge Windows File History Backups

I solved a similar issue by:
Navigating to 'Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > File History > Select Drive'.

Selecting the drive in the list of available drives (this presented a further list of available back-ups).

Selecting the original backup from the list - i.e. {My Ext HD}:\FileHistory{My username}{My computer's name}.

This doesn't merge the multiple versions but did allow me to target the original one. I deleted the others.

 

File History restart

Hi Jim,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forums.



To change the backup drive for File History, the current process should be stopped. I suggest you to try the steps listed below to stop file history on an older drive and restart it on a new drive:



Change File History backup drive:

• Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Backup.
  
• Click on More Options, scroll down to locate
  Backup to a different drive section, and choose Stop Using Drive.
  
• Plug in the new storage drive, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Backup,
  and choose Add a Drive.
  
• Restart File History and configure it by referring to the article
  
  File History in Windows.
  

Hope it helps.

Regards,