Windows 10: Windows backup/restore and file history

I have a new (late December) Dell 5500, 512 GB SSD about half empty. I have File Explorer access to a 2TB NAS (WD Mybook Live) via home wifi network.

I'm starting with win 10 native s/w. I'll research other popular programs (macrium etc) because multiple attempts using the win10 programs was confusing/not intuitive (it told me no destination locations available, when I have a couple NAS shares mapped). But I want to get started.

1) I finally got backup/restore going, full backup including system files ("let windows choose"). It ran overnight, well over 12 hours. I understand that the first run will be "longer", but after all that time the progress bar showed less than half done. Is this normal for 250gb?

I stopped the process and deleted the destination files to start over with File HIstory.

It kept telling me that I had to stop using the destination directory, and when I clicked "Stop using drive" it gave me an error message (I think 0x800....). I looked up the error message and it didn't seem to relate to copying files. I found some commands to "reset" the backup. It still thought it was using the destination directory, so I created another one.

2) I got File History started last night. No system files this time -- removed all but the data directories I use regularly. Very disappointed that there's no progress bar -- just "Backing up your data..." It has been over 17 hours. I'll guess that the "Size of backup" will change from 0 bytes.

Shall I just keep waiting? Is there something off?

Any help will be appreciated.

:)

 

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

 

Backup files that Windows creates with file history

You should be able to use File Explorer to browse the folder on the NAS share that you selected. You can find out the share that's in use in:
Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More options.

Select Drive for File History in Windows 10 | Tutorials

But to see what is held in File History and (if necessary) restore the files, see 'Step 3. To Open File History and Restore Previous File Version from Control Panel' in this tutorial.

Restore Files or Folders from File History in Windows 10 | Tutorials

 

Backup using file history

Thanks Robeline

I was going by other advice and articles that suggest that backing up under Update and security/backup is now the way to go. I will try your suggestion.

Doug