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UTC files

Anonymous
2019-03-24T18:05:39+00:00

I din't always have my back up external hard drive plugged into my laptop.  So what seems to be happening is File History UTC files are being saved to my C drive documents folder.  As a result any given file can have three or so UTC duplicate backups all with different dates. My C drive is now clogged with these documents and maunually removing them is very time consuming.  How do I get rid of them and how do I limit back ups so that old back ups are deleted?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-03-25T10:05:43+00:00

    A brief explanation of File History might help.

    This tool creates a number of copies of your data files. To distinguish between versions, it appends a date stamp to each file name. This is what you call a "UTC backup".

    While the external backup medium is connected, File History will copy your data files to this medium. When the medium is disconnected, File History will copy your files to a buffer area on the internal disk. This buffer area is cleared automatically when you reconnect your external medium.

    If your buffer area is no longer cleared then File History is probably confused, perhaps because you changed or manipulated your external backup medium. To deconfuse it I would do this:

    1. Create an image of your system drive, using a tool such as Macrium Reflect.
    2. Do some spot checks to ensure that you could retrieve individual files from the image.
    3. Wipe the file history folder on your external and internal disks.
    4. Start afresh with File History.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-03-25T00:43:58+00:00

    Hi Sarah;

    I'be got File History, Windows 10. I also have WD Passport backup but I don't think it's activated. 

    Here's a screen shot of what is happening with duplicate files. 

    P

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-24T18:34:38+00:00

    Hi PaulLedoux1

    My name is Sarah Kong and I am an independent adviser that is here to try and help you with your issue.

    What application are you using for your backups?

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