Windows 10: Why am I missing files in "File History"?

I noticed yesterday that my File History said it was running, but "files last copied" was about a month ago. I have done some things in the last month so I thought that was odd. I decided to do the "Run Now" to force it to make file history. It reported that it had run.


Now I made a change to a file in Word and I wanted to see if File History had some history of the change.


That is when I realized I couldn't find that file in File History. I double, triple, and quadruple checked that the file was actually in my Documents folder and that the path for it in Word matched the path that File History was showing. Nowhere to be found.


Then I noticed that the whole folder wasn't there. Then I noticed a BUNCH of folders weren't there. In File Explorer or whatever it is being called nowadays, I see 162 folders. In "File History, I see 35 FOLDERS.


Where are the rest? Why has it not made a copy of ALL the folders?


In my Pictures folder, File Explorer shows 58 folders. File History shows 10 folders. A subfolder of Pictures in File Explorer shows 50 subfolders. File History shows 10.


OMG, is thing supposed to be my backup and recover feature? I'm glad I've noticed this, but is scaring me.


Why doesn't it have all my files?


fwiw, the target of the file history is a Netgear Stora box

:)

 

File History on/off status issues

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

1. Are you able to access your missing Email files on Web mail?
   
2. Which drive was selected to set up your back up on file history?
   
   
   

Probably the files might have been deleted when you perform the cleanup operation.

However, you may try the suggested steps to recover files from file History.



Restore files from File History

You may also refer this

Video link for more information regarding restoring files.



Hope it helps.

Muralidhar

Microsoft Community Moderator

 

File History not backing up any files

Hello Victor

Thank you for the response. I had already checked that thread, but it hasn't helped me:

• The thread deals with Windows 8's implementation of File History, which is somewhat different to that of Windows 10.
• Most of the thread deals with setting up File History (which I have already done, precisely following the recommended steps). The third link in the thread might have been useful since it appears to link to a page that deals with troubleshooting File History
  (as opposed to setting it up), but unfortunately the link is dead.

Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

File History - Files missing from backup

Thanks for your reply but that article outlines the steps I have already taken.

I have performed a restore from my File History drive and many files are missing.