Windows 10: File History can't find folders in libraries for a restore W10

We have set up File History and, using SettingsBackup Options, added the folders that we want to be saved that are additional to those that File History automatically backs up. File History appears to work fine no error messages re these folders, but when we try to restore them using Settings, they do not appear. Going into the File History folder on the backup drive to which these folders are supposed to be saved, one copy of one version of at least some of the files in these folders can be found in the Data directory too many files to check thoroughly. But right clicking on these files

:)

 

W10 File History not backing up selected folders

Been having trouble with my WD external drive backup s/w, it keeps losing track of its external drive, so I decided to simply try using W10 File History to manage things.

First, I have installed a SSD and migrated my OS there (as C:/), then formatted and set up all libraries on the old 1TB HDD (now E:/)... or so I thought. Don't ask me now exactly what I did, but the definition for the new libraries on E:/ is suspect. E:/ (root) is identifed as the Docs library, with another Docs library inside it, oy.

Shows appearance under This PC:




Shows appearance under the E:/ HDD:




Anyway, in File History, I select the various libraries in E:/, as well as E:/ itself, for backup to the external drive F:/.





But it only seems happy with the oddly defined Docs library, won't find the other selected folders... log error:




With the resultant backup structure in external HDD F: (grabbing some misc folders plus Docs, but not Pictures, Videos, Downloads... :




BTW, all these un-backed folders are accessible through any other means.

I see the config files, don't know what do do with them, inside:
C:\Users\patma\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Config

Any clues?

 

adding WSL home folder to file history to be backed up to NAS

Hello, this is Emily.

To add your WSL home folder to the list of files backed up by File History, you will need to first include it in your Library then you can set it up to be backed up via File History. Here are the steps:

1. Find your WSL home folder in File Explorer. Right click on the folder and choose "Include in library" and then "Documents" library.
   
2. Type "Control Panel" in the search on your taskbar and hit enter to launch it. then go to "File History."
   
3. Click on "Exclude folders" and remove the folder you want to backup from the excluded list.
   
4. Save the changes and then click on Backup now.
   

 

Windows File History

Hi Miami,

I understand you want to change the source drive for Windows File History backup to use your D drive instead of the default C drive. Unfortunately, Windows File History does not support changing the source drive directly through its settings. However, you can achieve this by including the desired folders from the D drive in your libraries, which File History will then back up.

Here are the steps to set this up:

Add Folders to Libraries:

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folders on your D drive that you want to back up.

Right-click on the folder you want to include and select "Include in library" and then choose the library (e.g., Documents, Music, Pictures) you want to add it to. If you prefer, you can create a new library for this purpose.

Ensure Libraries are Selected in File History:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.

Click on "More options" under "Back up using File History."

Under the "Back up these folders" section, ensure that the libraries you modified or created are listed. If they are not, you can add them manually.

Set Up File History Backup Location:

Still in the File History settings, ensure you have set the desired backup destination (e.g., external drive, network location).

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Add Folders to Libraries

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder on the D drive.

Right-click the folder and select "Include in library".

Choose an existing library (Documents, Music, Pictures, or Videos) or select "Create a new library".

Step 2: Configure File History

Open Settings by pressing Win + I.

Go to "Update & Security".

Select "Backup" on the left pane.

Click on "More options" under "Back up using File History".

In the "Back up these folders" section, ensure your newly added or modified libraries are listed.

If the library is not listed, click "Add a folder" and navigate to the library you created or modified.

Step 3: Set Backup Location

In the File History settings, make sure the backup destination is set correctly (external drive, network location, etc.).

This way, File History will back up the content from your D drive, as it includes the folders you've added to your libraries.

Let me know if you need any further assistance!

Best regards,

Gyula