File History Clean-up post 20H2

Alan Cameron 76 Reputation points
2020-12-28T11:10:42.267+00:00

I am having a problem with file history. If I go to advanced settings and click on Clean-up versions no matter what term I enter, including 'all but the latest one', I get a message:- Could not clean-up File History - Element not found.
I am using a NAS share mapped as a drive letter as the destination for the File History.
The mapped drive responds to the file explorer, displaying the contents of the File History correctly as far as I can tell.
I have seen a previous question about this problem which is now closed, In which there is a reference to repairing the the O/S but refers to a specific KB patch which refers to a build version prior to 20H2 which is what I have updated to.
Can I assume that that patch is embedded in the 20H2 version of Windows 10 Pro?
Is there any easy way to resolve the problem?

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Other
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  1. Jenny Feng 14,246 Reputation points
    2020-12-29T02:19:47.253+00:00

    Hi,

    Yes.
    I suggest you download the media creation tool & double-click it to run, then choose to upgrade this PC now.
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    In addition, here are some posts with the similar issue with yours, just for your reference, you can try the method mentioned in them:
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/file-history-element-not-found-error-on-windows-10/d7043300-9efe-4d83-ab6b-f71812981ca2?page=1

    Hope above information can help you.

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  2. S.Sengupta 24,636 Reputation points MVP
    2020-12-29T02:23:21.353+00:00

    Open a command prompt and run

    FhManagew.exe -cleanup 90 (90 would indicate to delete backups older than 90 days old)
    or
    FhManagew.exe -cleanup 90 -quiet

    If you specify "0" that would mean to delete all but the most recent backup.


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