Windows 10: Restart required to see files on USB drive after backup is run

Pc starts normally, Dell logo, home screen, key in password and desktop comes up.


1. Attach USB drive E:. Folders shown are File History, Myname-PC, WD Software Installer, Windows Image Backup and a Family History Backup. All can be expanded and contents seen.


2. A schedule backup is run and the folders named Myname-PC which is my complete back up and Windows Image Backupcannot be expanded. All the other be expanded and contents seen.




3. Safely remove USB drive, leave for 10 minutes and re-attach but the two folders still cannot be expanded.


4. Safely remove USB drive, restart PC which advises to wait Blue screen with circle of dots revolving after several minutes Dell logo appears and can start with password.

5. Connect USB drive and all Folders can be expanded and contents viewed. After the backup is run I have to go through items 3, 4 and 5 every time before I can see the contents of the folders as described.


Drive C in File Explorer

View>Options>Change folders and Search options>view> Show hidden files, folders and drives is selected.

Hide protected operating system files recommended is ticked.



Drive E USB in File Explorer

View>Options>Change folders and Search options>view> Show hidden files, folders and drives is selected.

Hide protected operating system files recommended is ticked.



This has never occurred before. Can anyone advise how to fix this.



TMWGray

:)

 

Swapping out the USB drive to use File History.

Thanks for your help. Turns out there were a few more steps required but I was able to start using the new drive for my File History by following your suggestions with these extra steps.

1. Turn off File History via settings (This MUST be the first step)

2. Plug-in new USB drive and quick format as NTFS (record new drive letter for use in later step)

3. Remove old File History drive from the system

4. Restart PC

5. Use the "Backup to a different drive" section in Settings/Update/Backup/more options to assign new drive to File History

6. Turn on File History

7. Use the "Back up now" button to start the first backup to the new drive.

Note: The old drive will still contain the old File History files if you ever need to resort them.

 

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,

 

Backup drive is running out of space

Hi Argel Obm,

Thank you for your helpful post. I am travelling & would try out your suggestions after return.

Would write back if I need further help.

Thank you