Windows 10: Windows 10 File History won't recognise USB HDD

As usual the "Half a Job is good enough" Loonies at Microsoft have done it again.

Their "So Called" Backup using File history does not recognize a HDD connected to your PC by USB.

So this "so Called" Life Saving Application is actually as useless as an ashtray on a Motorbike. Unless you open up your PC and Physically install a second HDD internally. If you don't, then this stupid application wont find anything else.

It never ceases to amaze me just how backward these "So called" Microsoft innovators are, in general, they are always one or two steps behind modern technology.

:)

 

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.

 

Windows 10 File History won't recognise USB HDD

I have been using File History to backup files on my PC for a month with no technical problems. However I got in a bit of a mess (self administered) over which folders were and weren't being backed up.

To cut a long story short, I decided to reformat the external drive and start over. Now, when I go back into File History and choose a drive, File History doesn't recognise the drive. Windows File Explorer does.

I have rebooted (many times), updated drivers, disconnected and reconnected the drive but it all makes no difference.

Any ideas please?

BTW - The old backup (Win 7) recognises the drive and is doing a stand-in backup for me right now, so it is obviously something specific to File History.

 

Windows 10 File History won't recognise USB HDD

Hello Paul,

I understand how you feel about the situation. Let me help you n resolving the issue.

This issue could be due to the hard drive driver is outdated. Let’s try the simple methods below information provided and let us know the status.

Follow the methods below and check if that helps.

Method 1.

I would suggest you to run the Hardware and devices troubleshooter to diagnose the exact issue.

• 
  Press Windows + X keys on the keyboard and select Control Panel.
  
• 
  Type Troubleshooting in the search bar on the Control Panel.
  
• 
  Click on Hardware and sound under Troubleshoot computer problems.
  
• 
  Click on Hardware and devices under Devices.
  
• 
  Click on Advanced on the Hardware and devices dialog box and click on Run as administrator (Enter the credentials if required).
  
• 
  Click on Next and follow onscreen instruction complete the Hardware and devices troubleshooter.
  

If the issue still persist try the below method steps:

Method 2.

I would suggest you to update external hard drive driver from Device Manager manually and check if this helps. Follow the below steps:

• 
  Press Windows Key + X and click on
  Device Manager.
  
• 
  Locate for the Universal Serial Bus and expand it.
  
• 
  Right click on the device driver and click on
  updates.
  

For more Information:

I would suggest you to refer to the suggestions provided by
“Andre Da Costa” replied on January 22, 2015 in the following Microsoft Community link.

Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10

Hope the information helps. Please let us know if the issue persist and we will be happy to assist you further.