Windows 10: File History Error 201

I opened my File History Event Logs to find a bunch of Errors. They are all 201 Events saying, "Unable to scan user libraries for changes and perform backup of modified files for configuration C:\Users\..."

What could be happening?

I manually made a File History Backup on the 18th and set it to save copies once a day. I was about to download a new app and wanted to make a backup file before hand, but when the date "Files last copied on 10/18/2020" didn't refresh, I realized something was wrong.

:)

 

File History error 201

File History error 201 ever since new passport drive installed. No obvious solution.

 

Windows 10 File History error Event ID: 201

Hi All

I have followed the suggestions in this thread but cannot get read of Error Event ID 201

Tough it seems as the history backup was successful the Data folder is empty.

Appreciate you support.

Regards

Shraga

 

Windows 10 File History error Event ID: 201

G'day,

I had the very same error "Windows 10 File History error Event ID: 201" and finally was able to fix it.

My issue was my Music Collection, all other folders were being backed up. I only had the issue when I included the Music folder to File History.

After trolling through many different solutions I was able to piece together a solution.

• Check for long file paths greater than 255 characters.
  • PowerShell Command: cmd /c dir /s /b |? {$_.length -gt 255}
  • Reference WebSite:
    
  • In my case this found no files > 255 (Not my Cause)
• Check for Bad Characters
  • There is a possibility the some characters may cause the error
  • I have music from around the world and the languages are varied and the characters varied
  • PowerShell Command: gci -recurse | where {$_.Name -match "[^\u0020-\u007E]"}
  • In my case I found many files with special characters. I tested file history on 10 files with different languages and characters found in my search. All backed up ok with no errors -
    (Not my Cause)
• 
  Check for Hidden and Protected Files
  

This was my issue!

Windows does not display all the files by default and you need to find the files that "are" stopping file history from working.

I had a metadata program enrich my Music Locations to make my library look good on my media centre PC. The metadata program created some hidden and protected files in the artist folders. This files did not show up on normal searches
so I did not know they where the cause.

My steps to find and delete the files preventing file history from working.

• View All Files
  • There are many good sites to show you how:
    How-To Reference Web Site
  • My Problem Hidden Files Where:
    • AlbumArt* - Music Metadata pictures with long complicated file names
    • Thumbs.db - Thumbnail Database
    • Desktop.ini
• Changed the Attributes of the files from hidden and protected to "normal"
  • Using a Command Prompt (Admin) Window
  • Navigated to the folder in question
    • Example:
    • typed the command: "M:" - To go to M Drive
    • typed the command: "cd music" - to go to the music folder
    • typed the command: “attrib –s –h *.* /S /D” - Takes a while to run
      
      • This converts "All Files" (*.*) by removing the "-s" System Attribute "-h" Hidden Attribute
• Delete the files preventing the issue
  • Windows Explorer search within the problem folder
    • AlbumArt* - Music Metadata pictures with long complicated file names
    • Thumbs.db - Thumbnail Database
    • Desktop.ini
  • On each separate search I selected all the files [Ctrl]+[A] and deleted the files
• 
  Added Problem folder back into the File History and pressed the "Run Now" option
  
• 
  Checked the File History Disk location and "Success" my Music Collection is now being backed up
  

I now have my PC running a full File History Backup onto a pair of "Mirrored Disks" finally after a lot of trouble shooting. My event log is now clear of the dreaded Event ID 201!

I hope my findings help you in your File History Journey.

Best Regards

Paul