Maintenance :: Windows 8 File History Backups Stop Prematurely?
Jul 14, 2013
I am facing a problem enabling the file history feature of my Windows 8 Pro installation. After noticing there was no activity to my backup drive, I decided to check what time the latest backup was executed; this turned out to be 3 weeks ago. I formatted the drive and decided to try set it up again. Ever since I have been unable to make it work.
The backups are prematurely stopped. It takes about 10 minutes to copy 50MB of files and some empty folders to the external hard drive, after which it stops as if it were completed. Forcing it run again makes no difference, and no files are copied.
My system is a two month old fresh install. I have disabled my anti-virus software and installed all the latest updates for Windows and most software. I have moved my user folders to another drive through the properties menu. I access them through my libraries, when I select I want to restore files I see them, and some small files are actually backed up to the drive I selected. Therefore I do not think this is why the problem is occurring.
I have already tried slowly formatting the drive and checking it for errors and bad sectors and plugging the drive in different ports. After that proved unsuccessful,
I restarted the Windows Search service and manually forced it to recompile its index, reset the File History settings by deleting its folder in the Application Data directory, ran the System File Checker, and just to be sure rebooted my computer and reformatted the external drive - all to no avail. My error logs are full of failures due to trying this many times, but the one below is the most recent one, corresponding to the latest try.
- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
- <System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-FileHistory-Core" Guid="{B447B4DB-7780-11E0-ADA3-18A90531A85A}" />[code].....
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Jul 26, 2013
I am so used to doing a scheduled backup and image of my install once a week but now I see it is file history. I am really not sure how this feature works in relation to the old image and backups. I have partitioned a portable drive of 500GB for my backups and have started doing the file history. I am now looking at the advanced settings and see this
Now as I was not thinking of leaving my portable turned on 24/7 as I used to do a scheduled backup once a week so now I am a bit stuck.
The setting "Size of Online Cache"has also got me confused. I have set it to the max of 20% disk space.
What I was actually thinking of doing is to make my first "backup"of my fresh install of Windows 8 and keep this as a restore backup if I ever want to revert back to this point of my setup. I was then going to use another partition on my portable drive for my weekly backups as I did before.
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May 6, 2013
test the Refs file system -- it won't yet be available on the boot system but will be on other volumes.
This will mean a change in your backup strategy if you back up disks by Imaging partitions. It will be a while yet before the standard backup vendors build this new file system into their backups - but whatever the change of data format in the partition layout you should still always be able to backup if you select "Backup by SECTOR" mode - as this mode simply copies byte for byte exactly what is on the disk without regard to data organisation whatever - it's a pure physical address sector by sector copy. It will probably take longer but it should always work.
(Although I'll be running this on a VM which can be backed up in other ways - I want to try the actual sector by sector backup from the Guest machine).
In theory though as most backup solutions are Linux based any sort of Windows file systems are just DATA as far as Linux itself is concerned - however sometimes these utilities do a bit of data compression and optimisation which requires knowing details of the SOURCE file system - usually FAT / FAT32 / NTFS. This could cause problems with the new Refs file system so I'd go for the physical sector by sector dump.
In any case while I'm sure we are all waiting to test the new file system - don't rely on it on any machine until your BACKUP and RESTORE strategy works.
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Feb 9, 2013
I don't know how I did it but I got both Windows 7 File Recovery and Windows 8 File History active at the same time. I upgraded from Win 7 to 8 Pro and transferred settings so win 7 file recovery was already active, when I tried to turn on win 8 file recovery I got a message saying I cant because win 7 FR was active. So I deactivated win 7 FR then activated win 8 FR, for giggles I went back and turned on win 7 FR and it worked. Now I have both active, from what I have read this was not possible. Did I break my OS or am I just lucky?
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Oct 30, 2013
In Windows 8.0 File History, it had the nasty habit of duplicating your library files on your backup ( in my case, my external USB backup drive ( Replica 2 Terabyte ). By DUPLICATING, I mean they get copied over and over and over again... This happens to ALL of them, even though you have not touched the majority of them for YEARS. (File History is suppose to copy them over the FIRST time, then copy a new copy with a new name (old name plus date) if you edit the file in any way). I turned of file indexing on ALL my drives, except my C: drive, to see if that would stop it ( this is recommended in many threads on other sites ).
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Jul 11, 2013
My OS is Windows 8. I normally backup my files to external drive simply using the copy/past command. It always shows a progress bar so I always know when it's finished. Today is the first time I used Windows file history which I do like. But I see no progress bar nor does it tell when it's finished. Is there a way I can see the progress or at least know when it's finished?
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Jan 2, 2014
Im running windows 8.1 pro x64. I just did a clean install and very foolishly I let the file history back up my data instead of doing a manual backup like I usually do.
I tried to do a recovery and it didn't show any recovery dates other than yesterdays date which was when I did the clean install
My computer used to be named Desktop and it had my name as the User. After the during the install I decided to name computer Office with my name as the user instead. I figured maybe changing it back to desktop would do the trick but it didn't work. I even assigned the backup drive the same letter it was prior to clean install.
I can see all my data on external I wouldn't mind just manually moving it back but theres a couple problems with that. First of all every file has now the time stamp right into the file name which is annoying but also for some stuff theres multiple copies with different time stamps.
No matter what I try I cant get the recover files to recognize theres a back up there.
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May 26, 2014
I ran into a minor problem with Acronis True Image 2014 after letting Microsoft install Update 1 on my system. For some reason the desktop Icons go blank for ~15 seconds when I boot. As soon as I uninstall TI the problem goes away. The problem also seems to go away if I "turn off" Auto Logon to my Microsoft Account. Base on all my Acronis Forum discussions I must be the only person in the world with this problem! The stand alone version of TI 2014 works OK. I will continue to use the standalone version of TI 2014 to backup the system (Boot Partition) periodically since I know it works and has saved me from disaster numerous times.
So...I'm ready to let Windows 8.1 handle my data backups using the File History function. Dumb question - if I do a system restore because of a virus or whatever will Windows 8.1 be able to use the file history maintained by the version of Windows 8.1 that was wiped out by the restore? The file history will be on a separate disk drive.
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Apr 2, 2013
I initially started a File History backup 6 days ago and when I open File History from the control panel it still says "Files last copied on 'and the original date'. I have set a daily preference for backing up so shouldn't the date change each day? When I click on the "run now" link a line appears saying "File History is saving copies of your files", but after about 10 seconds that line is gone and it goes back to "run now". So, it is not saving copies of my files.
I have a brand new Western Digital 3T My Book external hard drive that has the initial "File History" folder and backup on it, but if it's not going to update/backup and just stays as it, is it isn't going to be very useful.
Why won't it backup even when I click the "run now" link?
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Nov 19, 2013
I'm having an issue with the new File History (sure do miss the windows 7 backup) thing in 8.1.
Basically when I tell File History to run it says it's updating for a minute or two, then says it's done, but it doesn't actually back up anything at all. I have it set to backup to my 750GB external drive (connected via esata) which is solely for backups. The only files that show up on it are the configuration files.
Here's the setup I'm working with:
HP DV7-4285dx laptop with > 2 week old fresh 8.1 install
SanDisk 256GB SSD (C: internal; for OSs and installed programs only)
Samsung 1TB HDD (D: internal; for data only)
Sandisk 750GB HDD (G: external over esata; for backup)
I'm suspecting the problem might have something to do with the fact that I have all of my documents, music, etc. folders redirected (changed the targets of all of the folders in my user directory to D:UsersMatt...) to my D: drive instead of them being on the C: drive.
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Oct 31, 2013
I'm trying to backup my Quicken data files using File History. I tried creating a new Library folder and moving the files into it, but they don't backup to my external HD when using File History.
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Nov 26, 2013
Running Windows 8.1 and File History was working OK for my computer, actually on two different computers worked just fine. (I never could get File History to work with Windows 8). Then suddenly this feature just up an quit. Got a little "red" flag in the Action Center. Using the control panel an "setting" up File History my system says that file history is turned off. I never did turn it off, it seems it just up an turned itself off.
But here is the thing, I select my external drive to use for file history and the system says the service can not be started because its disabled or no enabled devices are associated. It "sees" the drive but will not enabled this drive. I have used various windows programs, such as system services..to "turn" on file history. But there seems not to be anything that will fix file history.
It seems all the support is non specific to file history not working. I have yet to see a simple fix to "make" Windows 8.1 to again run file history. I would just like to point and click to backup the computer...but windows is now becoming NON-USER friendly to manage these types of things.
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Jan 10, 2013
Running Windows 8 Pro x64 as a Domain User with full Admin privileges, I am unable to use File History. I cannot open/start the File History tool. When I attempt to click on it from the Control Panel, nothing happens. When I try running it from the Metro search tool, it switches to the desktop and nothing loads. I've also tried in the Action Center, under Maintenance, "File History is Off. Turn On." Clicking "Turn On" does nothing.
All other items under the Control Panel that I have tried open and work with no problems.
I also tried in a "clean boot". System file checker reported no errors.
I just noticed in Control Panel there is "Windows 7 File Recovery". If I launch that and try to set up a Windows 7-style backup, it seems to work. I suppose I could just use this older tool instead of the new File History, although I haven't researched the differences.
I have another machine with the same version of Windows 8, and I am able to launch File History with no problems. I click File History from control panel and am taken to another screen that allows me to enable it. No such screen on the problem machine. The only main difference is the working machine is a regular user account; whereas, the non working machine is a domain account
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Sep 18, 2013
I know SkyDrive is explicitly excluded from File History backup in 8.1 but how I could get the same functionality?
I'm using File History to make ad-hoc system images from C: to E: and also various libraries. As SkyDrive doesn't get backed up even if in a library is there some other (free) tool I can use or some way to replicate the functionality?
I'd like to have the time stamped versions of files if possible. I was thinking of replicating Skydrive to another folder somehow and then backing that up with file explorer but that seems a rather inefficient way of doing things.
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Nov 9, 2013
My 12 month old Win 8 64 bit self-build pc has been very stable and as yet, no BSODs.
I want to update /upgrade to Win 8.1 (I have also acquired the ISO) and have managed to execute a File History to my Samsung USB3 1TB ext HDD as a safeguard in preparation. I would prefer to update via the Store to avoid having to reinstall all my programmes
However the File History event log is indicating yellow warning signs and Code 204 errors. Detail states: "Unusual condition was encountered during finalisation of back up cycle for configuration". I am concerned therefore that this might prevent me properly doing a File History recovery should I need to. Researching elsewhere indicates that 204 errors result from corrupted system files.
I have checked the Ext HDD which has the File History folder (12.5 GB) and all my files seem to have been copied OK.
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Jun 14, 2013
I just did a backup (using File History) of files to an external HD. When I looked in the Folders on the HD, there were multiple copies of the same files; some with different dates, and others with the same dates but different ?file numbers. How to do a backup so that files are not duplicated. I'd also like to have files with changes overwrite the old file, provided that I haven't the file name.
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Oct 7, 2013
see attchments...I think I need to know what service or process needs to be turned on.
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Jul 17, 2014
make the 'file history' feature work. I keep getting the 'No usable drives were found' message along with a recommendation to use an external hard drive. My PC rig has a 240GB SSD (C drive) and a 1TB HDD (D drive) - both internal obviously - but I don't quite understand why there's no way to use the D drive to make a complete backup copy of both the system and the Documents folder, etc. that are on the C drive. I clicked here and there and somehow ended up creating a backup copy (a folder called "WindowsImageBackup") on the D drive but that seems to be a copy of the Windows system only and excludes the Documents folder. how to make the file history work so as to make the complete backup on the D drive?
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Nov 29, 2012
it says File history cannot recognize my external HD.
Under the icon of my external HD it says "Unknown error". Its HP SimpleSave 1TB external hard drive.
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Apr 18, 2014
I've been using File History with an external HDD. I now want to use a USB Flash Drive instead. Although my computer shows the flash drive in the devices area, I can't get File History to see the flash drive and use it for back ups. I'm running Win 8.1, and the flash drive is a USB 3.0.
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May 6, 2014
I'm not sure if I'm using File History properly, even though it seems to be a plug-and-play type of feature. The situation is: when I leave my USB Flash Memory device plugged into the laptop, and the frequency of backup is set to every 10 minutes, it seems that some of the memory is being nibbled away at, even though I haven't created or changed any files.
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Dec 30, 2013
I was happy to discover that Windows 8 came with a program to automatically back up our files to our external HD, but it frustrates me that I cannot specify a time for that to happen. Daily is more than frequent enough for us, but we don't keep our computer on 24/7. If we did, does file history still run even though the computer is in 'sleep' mode?
So is it possible to specify a time somewhere I'm not seeing? Or is the answer to just do more frequent backups and hope that one of them will fall within the window that the computer happens to be on?
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Aug 16, 2013
I have file history set up and running to an external hard drive, happily saving each version of any changed or new data files in the various libraries. I am able to go back and recover older versions of edited or deleted files. All of this I think I have a handle on.
OK, now imagine that one day my hard drive grinds it's heads into the platters, dying a fast death with no recovery possible. I buy a new drive and restore Windows 8 to the way it was when I first got my computer using the saved system restore I have on a USB drive (My PC is an Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644). So far so good.
Here is my question: how do I re-link this new installation to the existing File History database on the external drive so that I can restore my precious data?
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Dec 2, 2012
I have switched on file history to an external drive and it seemed to be working however changes doesnt seem to be saved. As an example, if I click on restore personal files I get yesterdays date i.e. 1st December, but when I click on the Desktop icon it takes me back to the 17th November. My desktop has changed since the 17th November I have added some files to the desktop but they are not showing up in file history.
There is plenty of space on the backup drive and it is set to back-up every hour. Also it states on the main file history screen that files were last copied 17/11/2012 17:33 and this doesnt change even if I click run now?
Another example, I scanned some documents in a couple of days ago but they are not in the My Scans folder in the file history. If I click on restore I get yesterdays date 1st December (today is the 2nd December) and then if I click on the Documents Icon it takes me back to the 28th November and the My Scans folder doesnt have the latest documents in it?
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Oct 17, 2013
I naturally thought that if I used File History that I would be able to get my files back from the external drive if I had to reinstall Windows8. After a HDD crash it appears that isn't the case.
13gb of Excel Spreadsheets is riding on this solution.
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Feb 26, 2013
I thought the Win 8 File History backup feature looked like a good idea so I bought a 1TB external hard drive to use solely for backup. I was thinking that I would be able to store a massive history of backups on it but I can only set the size of the offline cache to a maximum of 20%. Why is it limited to such a small amount of space? Why not 80% or 100%? Is there a registry setting to increase this?
It seems to be a strange arbitrary thing to set it to such a small amount of space if you want to use a drive dedicated for the purpose.
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Sep 15, 2014
I saw the File History screenshot tutorial.In that tutorial there is an Option 3 -> Point No. 3: To Select a Network or Local Drive Location to Save File History.When I click the select drive button,none of my local drives are showing up.What to do?
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Sep 15, 2014
File history seemed to be working OK. But then I added a library in Windows Explorer with my Google Drive folder. I don't have much stuff in this folder, less than 1GB. The problem is that File History is not backing up this folder in its backups.
Do I have to delete the file history backup and redo it again every time I add a library? (I haven't tried it but it'd be a nuisance wouldn't it?).
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Mar 3, 2014
I recently installed Win 8.1 Pro...there's some things I like and some I don't. I'm learning about File History and the System Image tools. Why MS went backwards in their backup tools from Win7 is a topic for another day...but I have a question about getting File History to backup certain files.
1) From what I'm reading & inferring, the only way to get File History to backup my Outlook 2007 PST file would be to add its containing folder to the Library? For example, add C:UsersUsernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook to the Library?
2) I'm guessing for other user files, preferences, data files, etc., that are usually located in the AppData Local or Roaming folders, that we have to add their containing folders to the Library?
Is this correct...or does File History back these up by default somewhere (besides System Image).
P.S. I hate this File History thing and the buried System Image tool that's also been handicapped. I want Win7's Backup & Restore back, where we could select any files we wanted for backup, schedule time of day to run backups and images, etc. I can only think MS did this to dumb down things for users.
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May 31, 2013
I enabled File History, and when I returned to my computer this morning I found that it had created copies of 1.14TB of my 1.19TB of data on the backup drive I had specified. However, it seems like the process has stopped, as every time I click the "Run Now" button, no new data is copied. The file size of the folder on my backup drive is still 1.14TB. Is there anything I can do to ensure that File History backs up / copies all my data?
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Oct 23, 2013
I have been using File History (in Windows 8 and 8.1) to an external drive connected through a USB 3.0 port. Since upgrading to 8.1, the 3.0 port is unreliable (Renesas driver errors) and I have not been able to find a solution. So I reconnected the drive through a USB2 port. When I restart, the drive is recognized in Explorer as "File History (E" as it was before. But File History will not recognize it (Unknown Error). When I use "Select another drive", I am given the option to select my File History drive, but when I do so, I get a prompt about moving files from the old drive to the new one. Since they are the same drive, needless to say, this doesn't work! If I decline the option, I get an error message "Could not enable File History - The system cannot find the file specified".
Any way (short of re-formatting the drive (which would destroy all previous FH backups) and changing its letter!)?
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