Windows 10: Cannot Select Backup History File Drive

My computer has been backing up to an external drive that has died. Window says to reconnect. What I need to do is select another drive, but none of the 12 drives I have tried to select is acceptable to Windows. So what do I do?

:)

 

File History drive

Hi Joseph,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I would like to inform you that if your File History drive has been disconnected for too long, or it doesn't have enough space to save temporary versions of your files. To continue saving copies of your files, you'll need to reconnect your File History drive.
Plug in your external File History drive or reselect your network. You can start a backup manually or wait for the next scheduled backup or reselect the drive. Here is the steps:

To manually start a backup

• 
  Open File History by pressing Windows key> type File History
  > Click on File History.
  
• 
  Tap or click Back up now.
  

To reselect your drive

• 
  Open File History by pressing Windows key> type File History
  > Click on File History.
  
• 
  Tap or click Select drive.
  
• 
  On the Select a File History drive page, tap or click your current drive or network location, and then tap or click
  OK.
  

Hope it helps. Let us know if you need more help and we'll be glad to assist.

 

File History does not backup automatically

Hi,

Thank you for writing us back.

I would suggest you to go through the below steps:

• 
  Press Windows key+I.
  
• 
  Click on Update and security.
  
• 
  On the left pane, click on backup and select on under automatically back up my files.
  
• 
  Click on more option under on button.
  
• 
  Select every hour (default) under back up my files.
  
• 
  Select forever (default) under keep my files.
  

Also refer the link below link and check if it helps:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/set-drive-file-history

Also work in Windows 10

I hope this helps. Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.

 

File History not working with internal backup drives.

Hi PeteComp,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I'll need a few more details to analyze your concern & provide an accurate solution:

• Did you make any changes to the computer prior to this issue?
  
• How much space is left out on the back up drive?
  

This issue might occur if some system files are not working properly or
if it doesn't have enough space to save temporary versions of your files. To continue saving copies of your files, you'll need to re add your File History drive and check.

I suggest you to follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned below:

Method 1:

1. Press Windows
   and R
   key together on your Keyboard.
   
2. Type Services.msc and hit enter.
   
3. Search for Software Protection, Volume Shadow Copy and Windows BackupDouble click on the service and select
   Automatic under start up type.
   
   
4. Click on Start, Apply and Ok.
   
   
5. Restart the computer and check if is working now.
   
   

Method 2:

1. Go to Control Panel
   > Click on System and Security>
   Click on File History > Turn off.
   
2. Click on Settings >Go to Update & Security > select Backup on the left pane.
   
3. On the right pane, select
   more options > Click on Stop using this drive.
   
4. Delete the File History folder in your drive.
   
   Note: Deleting File history back up will remove all the versions of the Files. Make sure you take the back up on the external drive, before deleting it.
   
   
5. Start using File History again.
   

Try to setup the interval time, make some changes on the file and check if File history back up is working at the mentioned time.

Method 3: Try with External drive

You can connect the external drive and follow the procedure to setup the drive again. Here is the information about
Backup and restore your files

Hope it helps.

Roohi Taj S

Microsoft Community - Moderator