Windows 10: restore files onto a new computer with file history

how do I restore files onto a new computer from file history on an external back-up disc

:)

 

File History - how to restore to a new computer from the old computer's File History

My Surface suffered a failure and was exchanged for a new one under warranty. I have the File History on an external drive. I want to restore that File History to my new computer. How can I do this?

I have read a number of articles and MS Support have sent me links, but all of them talk about restoring File History for that computer back to the same computer. My issue is the File History I want to recover is Desktop_old1234, but the
only file it will allow me to use is Desktop_new1234.

I have tried changing the name of the old file to the new, that didn't work. The new computer points back to the files it created. I can't access the old File History without first registering the drive, which then means the system writes a File History
for the new computer.

I can see and select the file I want by going Win+r (Run) type Control, enter, (opens Control Panel) -> System and Security -> File History, select the file to restore. However it reverts to the New file. How can I get it to restore from the old file?

Thanks

 

How to restore files from one computer's file history to another computer without changing the file history

Hi Ladd,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Communities.

I will be glad to help you with the issue you have with the computer. I understand the frustration when things don't work the way it should.

To Restore files from file history, please follow the below steps:

• In Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click
  Search), enter restore your files in the search box, and then tap or click
  Restore your files with File History.
• 
  Enter the name of file you're looking for in the search box, or use the left and right arrows to browse through different versions of your folders and files.
  
• 
  Select what you want to restore to its original location, and then tap or click the
  Restore button.
  
  If you want to restore your files to a different location than the original, press and hold or right-click the
  Restore button, tap or click Restore To, and then choose a new location.
  

Hope this information is helpful, please post in case you have any further issues, we will be glad to help you further.

Thank you.

 

File History Restore Not Working

My apologies for my not explaining my problem clearly.

File History would always list my external drive. It would not list the File History backup subfolder, "Computer Name", which contained my backup.

I completed the 5 steps you recommended, and in step (4), using Windows Explorer, I opted to change the name to "File History.old" instead of deleting it. Had I deleted it, all my backup files that I want to reload onto drive C would have been gone.

When I look at the external backup drive in Windows Explorer it now shows 4 folders, $RECYCLE.BIN, FileHistory, FileHistory.old and System Volume Information. Bottom line, FileHistory contains only the backed up data currently on Drive C as a result of step
5, while FileHistory.old contains the data I wish to reload.

Now when I go to Control Panel/File History/Select drive, and select the external backup drive, only the subfolder contained in FileHistory shows up. The subfolder contained in FileHistory.old, which contains the data I wish to restore, is still not listed.
When I select "Restore personal files" it only shows folders associated with FileHistory.

Thanks for your attention and help, but I am now resigned to copying and pasting the files that I need to restore. I totally yield to the higher power that is Microsoft.

Again thanks,

RP