Windows 10: File History - Save Until Space is Needed

I have File History set to backup every hour and save backups until space is needed. Backups go to a 2T external HD. When space is needed, is File History supposed to make space my overwriting the oldest items? What happens for me is that when space runs out on the external HD, File History stops backing up ... but with no notification. The only solution I've come up with is to delete the complete backup and start over. Time consuming and a pain. Any ideas?

Thanks!

:)

 

File History saves and shows empty folders

Hi Jeffrey,

I recommend you to select a different File History drive and check if the issue persists.

Also I suggest you to Change how long File History keeps files.

Refer the below steps

1. Press Windows key + X from the Keyboard and click on Control panel.

2. Control panel Window will be open, change the View by: Category to Large icons to Small icons.

3. Click on File history and click on Advanced settings.

4. Next to Save copies of files, tap or click the list, and choose a time interval.

5. Next to Keep saved versions, tap or click the list, and choose a time interval.

6.Click on Save changes

Note:
File History doesn't automatically delete versions of files older than the time interval you choose unless your drive is getting full and space is needed to back up more recent versions

Also, I suggest to Reconnect the drive and Reselect your File History drive

Refer the below link and check if helps

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...f3eda7c5b2b/reconnect-your-file-history-drive

Hope the above information was helpful. If you need further assistance, we will be glad to assist you.

 

File History won't work, says insufficient space

Hi,

It is possible that the user profiles are also being restored when restoring your files in
File History. We suggest that you manually choose the files you want to restore. Here are the steps:

• Go to Control Panel.
• Search for File History.
• Click the Restore personal files option on the left pane of your screen.
• Select the folders you want to restore and then click the restore icon.

Note: Make sure that you don't copy the duplicated folders listed.

Feel free to get back to us if you need further assistance.

 

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.