Files being copied from Western Digital Passport have datestamp...

I'm moving backed up files to a new hard drive/Windows install and the filenames are:

filename (2016_08_22 05_14_11 UTC).extension

Why is this happening?

One of the reasons I didn't stick with File History for backing up user files is because I didn't like the way it over-complicated everything, such as modifying the file names by adding UTC time stamps for example. Therefore, I can't speak with experience of your problem, as I just use normal file syncing software SyncBack instead.

However, going by your post it sounds like you're trying to restore files backed up with File History to a clean machine. From the article below you should be able to set up File History on your new computer using the drive containing your old File History backups. Then restore the files using Number 4 this tutorial -> File History - Restore Files or Folders in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Article:
How to Use Windows File History to Back Up Your Data

To restore files from your external drive, open the Settings app, select “Update & security,” select “Backup,” select “More options,” scroll down to the bottom of the window, and select “Restore files from a current backup.”

(If you have File History backups you created on another computer, just set up File History on the new computer and select the drive containing your old File History backups. They’ll then appear in the Restore Files interface so you can restore files, just as you could if the backup was created on the current computer.)

"the filenames are: filename (2016_08_22 05_14_11 UTC).extension"
Don't know how many files you're dealing with but you can use this free renaming software that I've used for many years and simply use the 'Remove by Position' tab, select 'from the end' and, in your example, enter 25 and it will remove the last 25 characters in the filename and give you a preview of the new name before finalizing -
JoeJoe's freeware utilities - [Rename Master]

mrgeek said:

"the filenames are: filename (2016_08_22 05_14_11 UTC).extension"
Don't know how many files you're dealing with but you can use this free renaming software that I've used for many years and simply use the 'Remove by Position' tab, select 'from the end' and, in your example, enter 25 and it will remove the last 25 characters in the filename and give you a preview of the new name before finalizing -
JoeJoe's freeware utilities - [Rename Master]

150+gb worth of folders/files so would it be worth trying this method? Just wondering if it would take forever or lock up.

"150+gb worth of folders/files so would it be worth trying this method? Just wondering if it would take forever or lock up."

It's not the size of the files but the number. After deciding the basic renaming op, you pick a folder in the Folder Tree, say, Pictures, open it; if all were recovered with the name timestamp, then Select All and remove xx from name end. Let it regenerate the new name in a Preview screen. If all looks good, then click Rename. Done. I've renamed as many as over 1000 in a folder and it takes less than a minute, usually seconds for small folders. The restriction, in your case, is you just can't open all items in one window so I don't know how many folders you want to deal with. Good Luck with your file recovery.

ARC1020 said:

One of the reasons I didn't stick with File History for backing up user files is because I didn't like the way it over-complicated everything, such as modifying the file names by adding UTC time stamps for example. Therefore, I can't speak with experience of your problem, as I just use normal file syncing software SyncBack instead.

However, going by your post it sounds like you're trying to restore files backed up with File History to a clean machine. From the article below you should be able to set up File History on your new computer using the drive containing your old File History backups. Then restore the files using Number 4 this tutorial -> File History - Restore Files or Folders in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Article:
How to Use Windows File History to Back Up Your Data

Thanks for finding and posting this! Unfortunately, Windows Backup couldn't find this particular Backup. I probably messed something up in my haste to move everything off the failing hard drive.

mrgeek said:

"150+gb worth of folders/files so would it be worth trying this method? Just wondering if it would take forever or lock up."

It's not the size of the files but the number. After deciding the basic renaming op, you pick a folder in the Folder Tree, say, Pictures, open it; if all were recovered with the name timestamp, then Select All and remove xx from name end. Let it regenerate the new name in a Preview screen. If all looks good, then click Rename. Done. I've renamed as many as over 1000 in a folder and it takes less than a minute, usually seconds for small folders. The restriction, in your case, is you just can't open all items in one window so I don't know how many folders you want to deal with. Good Luck with your file recovery.

So this app doesn't rename files in subdirectories? Hmmm...are you familiar with anything that will?

AndreTen said:

You can try Bulk rename Utility. It's free for personal use and clean according to Softpedia and Virustotal.

This worked. Thanks!