Windows 10: Fix File History Element Not Found error on Windows 10

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File History is a feature in Windows 10 that creates versioned backups of files and folders specified by the user or all files and folders on your computer if you don’t specify. As the backup grows in size and you start running out of space, you will eventually have to clear the space. Some users […]

This article Fix File History Element Not Found error on Windows 10 first appeared on TheWindowsClub.com.

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

Hi,

this request is similiar to File History: Element Not Found Error on Windows 10 May 2004

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: Reset File History to Default in Windows 10 -> 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: Element Not Found Error on Windows 10 May 2004

I was finally able to fix that machine using another possible solution:

1. Stop using drive (this deletes/clears out the AppData/FileHistory folder)

2. Repair

3. Configure a clean File History instance. Meaning point it to the drive/location and clear out any default folders that were set. You should have an empty list and can perform "Clean up" with the expected dialogs and not the "Element Not Found" exceptions.

4. Revert the Repair install into your previous install.

Doing the above I was able to get my machine to a working state where I could boot and File History was working again.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.