Windows 10: I can't open the File History window

Discus and support I can't open the File History window in Windows 10 Ask Insider to solve the problem; The backup function still works and files appear to be routinely updated and transferred to my external drive, however, I can't view the File History... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Ask Insider' started by /u/IAXEM, Oct 13, 2020.

  1. /u/IAXEM Win User

    I can't open the File History window


    The backup function still works and files appear to be routinely updated and transferred to my external drive, however, I can't view the File History restore window itself to browse through backed up files and distinct versions of them. When I try to open on it, the icon appears on the taskbar but it won't open at all. Nothing happens if I click on it, and trying to hover over the preview window yields no results either.

    Any help?

    submitted by /u/IAXEM
    [link] [comments]

    :)
     
    /u/IAXEM, Oct 13, 2020
    #1
  2. Junaid_A Win User

    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,
     
    Junaid_A, Oct 13, 2020
    #2
  3. Ahhzz Win User
    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.
     
    Ahhzz, Oct 13, 2020
    #3
  4. I can't open the File History window

    File History Physical Connected But Not Electronic

    Hello Candun,

    Thank you for posting your concern in Microsoft Community and welcome to the Windows 10 Family.

    From the description provided, I understand that File History is not recognizing the external USB expansion drive, even though the drive had worked initially and it was behaving normally in File Explorer.

    This issue may occur if any of the backup in the drive you are backing up is corrupted or the library is corrupted.

    Please follow the below suggested methods and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

    Method 1

    1. Open File History and click Select Drive. Select a different drive other than the one that is failing to be recognized. you can consider adding an extra internal HDD to your PC in this situation.

    2. Go to the external USB drive that wasn't being recognised, find the File History folder and rename it to "File History.old" or delete it.

    3. Go to your C:\Users\your user folder\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows, find the File History folder and rename it "File History.old" or delete it.

    4. Re-open File History, click Select drive and select the original USB drive that was not being recognised. The drive should now set up normally and start operating.

    5. Delete the File History folder on the drive used in step 1

    Method 2

    This issue may happen due to system file corruption. I suggest you to run System file checker. System File checker (SFC) scan is done to check if there are any corrupted system files that could be causing this issue. Kindly follow
    the below given steps:


    • Press Windows key + X, select
      Command prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated Command prompt.

    • In Command prompt type
      sfc/scannow
      and press enter.
    • Restart the computer.
    If no corrupted system files were found in the previous state, then I suggest you to try the following steps to employ the DISM command lines:


    • Open command prompt by pressing Windows key + X and selecting “Command prompt admin”.

    • In command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth


    • Close the command prompt and restart the PC and check if it works.
    Also refer: What if something goes wrong in File History?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/what-something-goes-wrong-file-history

    (Note: Applies to windows 10)

    Hope the above information was helpful. If you need further information, feel free to write to us and we would be happy to help you.

    Thank you.
     
    Sayan_Ghosh, Oct 13, 2020
    #4
Thema:

I can't open the File History window

Loading...
  1. I can't open the File History window - Similar Threads - can't open File

  2. can't open protection history

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    can't open protection history: I am unable to save a game because windows blocks it, when i press the notification to allow it through this is all that pops up. Even if I come to protection history manually its still empty, I have no 3rd party anti-viruses....
  3. can't open protection history

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    can't open protection history: I am unable to save a game because windows blocks it, when i press the notification to allow it through this is all that pops up. Even if I come to protection history manually its still empty, I have no 3rd party anti-viruses....
  4. can't open protection history

    in Windows 10 BSOD Crashes and Debugging
    can't open protection history: I am unable to save a game because windows blocks it, when i press the notification to allow it through this is all that pops up. Even if I come to protection history manually its still empty, I have no 3rd party anti-viruses....
  5. File History can't find file but it is there

    in Windows 10 Network and Sharing
    File History can't find file but it is there: I've been using File History for over 2 years on Win 10 with no issues. Files save to my external Seagate 2TB drive. Now, today I discover that when I want to see the file history of any file in my "MY PICTURES" folder using the "File History" icon in Explorer, I get "We...
  6. I can't get file history to open

    in Windows 10 Network and Sharing
    I can't get file history to open: I'm running windows 10 and have been backing up my data with file history. Now all of a sudden I can't get to the backup screen. It says file history is off, but when I click on the link to configure file history nothing happens....
  7. File History window not opening

    in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade
    File History window not opening: The backup function still works and files appear to be routinely updated and transferred to my external drive, however, I can't view the File History restore window itself to browse through backed up files and distinct versions of them. When I try to open on it, the icon...
  8. I can't open the File History window

    in Windows 10 Ask Insider
    I can't open the File History window: The backup function still works and files appear to be routinely updated and transferred to my external drive, however, I can't view the File History restore window itself to browse through backed up files and distinct versions of them. When I try to open on it, the icon...
  9. CAN'T OPEN PROTECTION HISTORY

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    CAN'T OPEN PROTECTION HISTORY: I can't see the protection history because after i clicked the protection history it's just frezee and then the tab closed by itself like in this vid i posted on youtube if you can't understand what i mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9TL-RQzwaU...
  10. Why can't I enable File History?

    in Windows 10 Backup and Restore
    Why can't I enable File History?: Hello, I am new to this forum and new to Windows 10. I am having a problem using the backup utility in Windows 10, went starting up the panel comes up saying that there is no usable drive, even though I have a DVD inbuilt. I have also tried an external hard drive, still no...