Windows 10: Backup Options: Lists of Folders to backup or exclude

Settings - Backup Options has lists of folders to back up and folders to exclude. I want NOTHING in either list. But all I can do is ADD to those lists. If I add a folder to EXCLUDE, it goes off backup and appears in EXCLUDE. But that's NOT what I want. I just want to delete all folder names from those lists. There doesn't seem to be a way to delete a listed folder. What am I missing? Thanks.

:)

 

How to exclude certain folders for backup

AFAIK, this longstanding issue is still waiting to be addressed by Microsoft.

This dialog may help you with the "exclude" element of the issue but, regrettably, not with the cumulative backup element:

Vincenzo Carbone replied on
September 17, 2015

I had the same problem, and I solved in this way:

Control Panel -> System and Security-> File History -> Turn off

Settings -> Update & Security -> Backup -> More options -> Stop using this drive

Delete the File History folder in your external drive.

Start using File History again.

After these steps, I can add folders to "Excluded Folders" and they remain excluded. I checked in the actual files and folders saved on the external disk, and it works. So I guess it is important to click "Stop using this drive".

Hope this can help you.



replied on
September 17, 2015

Hi Vincenzo

I have followed that procedure and it worked for me on the first new backup

I will now try a second backup

The second backup excluded the requested folders as specified

On subsequent test backups:

I also had to delete the File History folder for any folder that I removed from the exclusion list using the classic dialog otherwise File History kept backing it up

I had to use the modern dialog to add a folder to File History backup

So far, so good

File History won't exclude folders

 

How to exclude certain folders for backup

I'm afraid Sayan didn't take the time to really read the question and I have the same issue.

I know how to set up folders to be backed up and I understand the directions for excluding folders. The issue is that Windows 10 doesn't seem to recognize when I've excluded folders and continues to back up music and photo files that overwhelm my hard drive.
When I browse and select a particular folder under the "Exclude Folder" option, the selected folder isn't listed.

But, if I open the advanced options and drill down to see excluded folders, I can see those I've selected to exclude. Nevertheless, those folders are included in the next backup. (Not only are they included, but every file in the folders is backed up numerous
times.)

 

Backup options

I am trying to remove folders from the Backup options, but everytime I do, when I go back the folders are back in the list. I have also excluded them as well but the setting are not being saved. Anyone can help with this?