Windows 10: File History error when selecting network drive

I'm attempting to enable File History on my machine with a network drive as the storage location. The drive is mapped and I'm able to use it via File Explorer with no issues. However, when I try to select the drive for File History it gives this error: "Could not enable File History - The system could not find the file specified."

This issue is consistent across multiple machines. The network drive is located on a Mac mini that has been setup with file sharing. I've double checked permissions and have tried selecting a different share, no change.

:)

 

File History - Cannot "Add a Drive" again after selecting "Stop using drive"

pizzle101,

There is a work around.

Create a new folder in the existing drive or you can select the drive that you need and share it on the network and give permission to everyone and then follow these steps

• 
  Enter File History in the search box, and then tap or click
  File History.
  
• 
  Tap or click Select drive.
  
• 
  On the Change your File History drive page, do one of the following:
  
  • 
    Select a network location, tap or click Add network location, browse to or enter a location, tap or click
    Select folder, and then tap or click OK.
    
  • 
    In the network location \\127.0.0.1 and select the shared drive.
    
• 
  When you're asked, tap or click Yes to copy all of the versions of your files to the new drive.
  

 

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.

 

Backing up Windows 10. Error "File history drive cannot save copies of all my files because of limitations with my File History drives file system"

Hi,

To assist you better, please answer the below:

• 
  Did you make any hardware or software changes prior to this issue?
  
• 
  What is the anti-virus program installed on your computer?
  
• 
  Please provide us a screenshot which shows the error message.
  

I suggest you to stop File History service, restart the computer and then set it as Automatic from the services and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

Steps:-

1. Press Windows key + R and openRun command window.

2. Type services.msc and hit
Enter.

3. Right click on File History from the list.

4. Select Stop. Restart the computer and repeat the first three steps.

5. Click on Properties and set the set
Startup type to Automatic.

6. Click on Apply and
Ok.

Also, I suggest you to try the below steps and configure the drive on File History and check if it helps.

Steps:-

1. Type File History in the search box, and then tap or click
File History.

2. Tap or click Select drive.

3. On the Select a File History drive page, tap or click your current drive or network location, and then tap or click
OK.

Refer the steps given in the below articles and check if it helps:

File History in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17128/windows-8-file-history

Note: This also applies to Windows 10

Backup and restore your files

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17143/windows-10-back-up-your-files

Hope it helps. Revert to us with the results, will be glad to assist you.

Thank you.