Windows 10: File History, "element not found"

Going back at least two years: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/file-history-element-not-found-when-clean-up-old/761eea3d-0ee1-4a4e-a9fd-9bd14546a175?page=1I did some experimenting and it appears that:When the backup drive reaches full capacity ...It cannot clean itself up, and ...Creates a non-surface error soft error on the drive that prevents all forms of older version cleaning-upCHKDSK shows no drive errors, so it is soft.The problems here are manifest:Backup does not warn the user of repeated backup failures, leaving them vulnerable.The only cure is to reformat the

:)

 

FIle History: Element not found when clean up old files since 2004/20H2

Hi,

this request is similiar to Redirecting

Other then he say, an In-place Upgrade did not solve the issue (did from 2004 to 20H2).

I am using file history since it was introduced in Windows 8 and it was always working as expected until 2004 arrived.

This is my configuration:

• I am using a networkdrive connected with SMB, so the path to backup is \\diskstation\Sicherung ASRock
• The NAS is is a Synology Diskstation DS218+
• my settings are to backup every 1 hour (does work) and clean up files obsolote files automatically after 1 month (does not work anymore)
• I am only backup folders from my D: drive (not the userfiles in the Default settings)

So since file history does not delete files older than 1 month, when I want clean it manually, I get the "Element not found" error.

Troubleshooting steps:

• I stoped and enabled file history -> same issue
• I deleted the file history files and start again -> same issue
• I also delete all file history backup files and also reseted the file history with the help of that: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/54999-reset-file-history-default-windows-10-a.html -> same issue
• Today I did the In-Place upgrade. I used the official 20H2 MVS ISO file, started again a new file history from beginning and tried the option again -> but it's the same issue

So when we can expect a fix here?

No, I can't use the Feedback Hub, because it force me to enable Telemtry.

 

File History not backing up any files

Hello Victor

Thank you for the response. I had already checked that thread, but it hasn't helped me:

• The thread deals with Windows 8's implementation of File History, which is somewhat different to that of Windows 10.
• Most of the thread deals with setting up File History (which I have already done, precisely following the recommended steps). The third link in the thread might have been useful since it appears to link to a page that deals with troubleshooting File History
  (as opposed to setting it up), but unfortunately the link is dead.

Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

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,