Copy folder does not remove deleted files in existing folder in backup disk.

Question

When I copy a folder with 7 files to a back up hard drive and the backup hard drive has 9 files (which includes 2 folders which have been sent to the recycle bin since the last backup).   The backup drive will update the 7 files but will keep the other 2 files, even though they have been removed in the source folder.  How can I make sure the backup folder accurately shows the status of the source folder?

Answer 1

Got it. If your back up drive is connected to your device all the time, you can use the File History feature in Windows 10. It automatically backs up dedicated folders on your device and automatically updates it for any changes. Go to Settings > Update & security > Backup > Back up using File History.

Best regards.

Answer 2

Thank you.

With your suggestion I couldn't keep my back up drive stored in a separate location from my PC.  Therefore,  I think the easiest for me is to delete the folder on the backup drive and then save the new copy to the drive.

Again thanks for your help.

Answer 3

I think I have found the answer.

In the Microsoft world, it is impossible to easily replace an older folder with an updated folder.  You can only merge an updated folder with an older folder.

It appears this considered a feature and not a bug.

Answer 4

Let me restate my observation.  (I made one wording mistake in the initial message.)

When I copy a folder with 7 files to a back up hard drive and the backup hard drive has this same folder with 9 files (from a previous backup), the 7 files which are the same in both folders will be updated on the backup disk but the 2 files which do not exist in the folder from the PC will remain in the folder in the backup drive.  I have one folder in which I continually add and delete files and if I continue to backup up this folder on the backup drive, the folder on the backup drive will keep getting bigger and bigger. How can I make sure the backup folder accurately shows the status of the source folder?

I do not know how to do screenshots of the contents of a folder. 

I have just updated from Vista to Windows 10 in November.  All my backups on Vista consisted of copying all data to my backup disk after deleting all data from the previous backup.  So I never had this problem.  The issue started happening when I started doing backups in Windows 10. 

I can duplicate how I did backups with Vista on Windows 10 and will not have this problem but would prefer not doing them this way.

Answer 5

Hi Ronald,

We're quite lost with the issue. Can you send us a screenshot of the before and after scenario? Also, has it always been like this before? When did the issue start happening? What changes have been made to your device since then?

We look forward to your response.