Windows 10: File History creates new folders and names for files from C drive

I am having trouble with File History creating, in addition to a copy of my C folder, a second folder that it labels $OF. When I open that folder, it has a bunch of folders with 3 digit names such as 147, 481, 931, 935. When I open those folders, it has my files but with new names. For example, a word document is renamed 956 2022_08_19 01_52_20 UTC. Unfortunately, the files that are now in the $OF folder are not in the copy of the C folder, so I have "lost" these files. It is a problem because I use the music folder of the copied C drive for the music library of my SONOS sound system.

:)

 

How to stop File History on the old drive and start File History on a new drive?

I use the external drive
for File History and have a lot of information there. I want to restart the File History process on a new drive and place the previous File History drive off-site.

Please suggest the steps to stop File History on the old drive and start File History on a new drive.

 

Can File History backup the contents of drives other than the C:\ drive?

Thanks Greg.

My Data drive, "M:\" is an internal drive, not a USB drive. I'm backing-up to an external 2TB USB drive.

As I said, I've used Windows Backup for many years and never had a problem.

File History seems attractive because it keeps a records of all file versions.

My questions still stand:

1. Can File History backup files on other than the C:\ drive? For example if I add M:\ to the "Backup these folders" list.
   
2. Does File History create an initial, full backup of folders listed in "Back up these folders"?

Regards, Dave.

 

Preserving File History to a new drive

Actually copying the entire File History folder from the old drive to the new drive is it. If the path doesn't change (if the new drive has the same drive letter and the folder is in the same place, by the same name), then you're done. Otherwise you
can make the copy, then go to the steps of telling Windows to use the new drive. It will prompt you that "this location already includes a file history, do you want to use it?" and of course you'll say yes. Mission accomplished.