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I accidentally deleted a folder from my File History backups. How do I get File History to back them up again?

Anonymous
2019-09-11T19:53:53+00:00

It's embarassing, but I lost sight of where I was in File Explorer and accidentally deleted a folder (and subfolders) from the File History drive. I still have the original files, of course, but I would like File History to back them up again. I tried removing the folder from the backup list, and then adding it back, but that didn't produce anything. Same with turning File History off and then on again. I see the problem: As far as File History is concerned (per whatever database or index it uses), all those folders and files are already backed up. In Recovery, It can list every one of them for me. But of course, they're not actually there. So I somehow have to get File History to erase these files from its index/database. Can anyone tell me how to proceed, or how to work around it?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Greg Carmack 24,770 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-09-14T02:36:51+00:00

    The only way I know to do this is to turn off File History in it's Settings (as you did) but then additionally delete the backup off your drive.  Then set it up again following:

    https://redmondmag.com/articles/2018/03/23/file-history-backup-windows-10.aspx

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/55162-turn-off-file-history-windows-10-a.html

    That said I do not recommend File History because of the many times I've seen it lose files, often from a terrible glitch where if you to to set it up on the PC you are intending to transfer files to, it can wipe the files out thinking that you are setting it up fresh.  Read here how to avoid this:

    https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-correctly-use-file-history-to-transfer-data-files-to-a-new-windows-10-installation/

    https://www.techrepublic.com/article/restoring-files-from-windows-10s-file-history/

    It's also not as full featured and flexible (as you found) as, say, Macrium File Backup which is unfortunately no longer free like it's superior backup Imaging suite: 

    http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Backing+up+files+and+folders

    Here's my latest backup recommendations FWIW:

    File History, Windows file and Image backup are dysfunctional and may be phased out in a future version.  But they're not the best choices anyway because after ten years in forums I've seen countless times that files are lost trying to restore them, so  feel obligated to recommend choices that work better and are more reliable. 

    The safest and most reliable backup method is to sort your files into their User Folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, etc) and periodically drag or copy them to external or another hard drive.  See tips for copying large groups of files here:  https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-many-ways-to-copy-move-or-delete-multiple-files.html

    Then have one other Cloud backup so your files are safe from fire and theft and easily accessible via the internet just like email.  Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

    You can drag or copy 5gb for free into OneDrive app to store in the cloud where they are safe from fire and theft.  You can also choose to sync the Desktop, Pictures and Documents folders (only) in OneDrive app Settings > Autosave for real time backup. 

    If you install Google Drive, you can use their new Backup to choose ANY  User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15g for free to their cloud in real time.  You can also drag/copy selected files into Drive folder.

     Besides your files you should back up a System Image to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium:  http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/. 

    There is an easy way to mount the System Image to extract files if needed.  Some prefer to move their User folders off of C to make the image smaller and so they stay current if you need to re-image C.  Here's how:  http://www.dummies.com/computers/operating-systems/windows-10/how-to-change-the-location-of-user-folders-in-windows-10/

    This way  if Windows ever becomes irreparable you can restore C in 20 minutes from recovery media, and your files will be current and safe in their own separate partition.  If they are left on C they will be dated from when the image was taken. 

     I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted.  If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-09-14T03:46:19+00:00

    Thanks so much for your suggestions. I appreciate it. I am going to look into them the next couple of days and decide what my best approach would be. (I actually tried a couple of cloud backup services before resorting to File History, but my upload speed is too slow for that to work without seriously impacting system performance.)

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-09-11T22:15:43+00:00

    There is nothing more infuriating than receiving a reply from someone who has NOT EVEN BOTHERED TO READ MY QUESTION! (And yes, I am intentionally shouting.) You simply copied and pasted a canned response aimed at someone who does not know how to use File History.  It took you less time to copy and paste that, than it took me to read it, hoping that somewhere you would address my question. You wasted my time. You should be ashamed of yourself. I hope there is someone in the Microsoft Community that actually cares and will address my question.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-09-11T21:02:38+00:00

    Hi. GF1701

    My Name is David B.

    In this case, if it does not appear, follow these steps to choose a network drive or an external drive that is already connected to the computer.

    Quickly swipe from the right edge of the screen and tap Search. (If you use a mouse, place the cursor in the lower right corner of the screen, move it up, and then click Search.)

    1. Type File History Settings in the search box and then select File History Settings.
    2. Select Select a drive and choose the network or external drive you want to use.
    3. Activate File History.

    Note: If the network drive you want does not appear in the list of available drives, select Show all network locations. If the unit you want also does not appear in the list, open the File History in Control Panel, select Add a network location and follow the instructions on the screen.

    Restore files or folders with File History:

    File History periodically performs security versions of the files in the Documents, Music, Images, Videos and Desktop folders and the OneDrive files available offline on the computer. Over time, you will have a complete history of your files. If the original files are lost, damaged or deleted, you can restore them. You can also search and restore different versions of your files. For example, if you want to restore an earlier version of a file (even if it has not been deleted or lost), you can search a timeline and select the version you want to restore it.

    Follow these steps to restore files or folders with File History.

    1. Quickly slide your finger from the right edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you use a mouse, place the pointer in the upper right corner of the screen, move the pointer down and click Search), type restore files in the search box and select Restore files with File history.
    2. Type the name of the file you are looking for in the search box or use the left and right arrows to examine the different versions of your folders and files.
    3. Select what you want to restore to its original location, and then select the Restore button.

    If you want to restore files to a location other than the original, press and hold the Restore button (or right-click on it), select Restore to, and then choose a new location

    Regards...

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