File History

File history is not initiating after setup. After setup and performing manual backup, no files are copied to backup usb drive. Data folder is empty.

If your files and data are on a separate HD partition, you will have to manually add the partition to the File History backup list.
File history has been working well for me, however, I would never rely on it as the sole means of a regular backup regimen.

Thanks for your suggestion. I ended up unplugging the power supply to the USB external drive and plugged it back into power supply. My PC recognized the external drive. File History immediately began backing up my original files. Success. Thanks again.

For your interest, File History will keep changed versions of your files in a temp directory on your local C drive and automatically flush these to external backup disk when it sees it is connected. You don't have to keep the backup drive always plugged in and in fact to protect against ransomware it's better not to. It will tell you to connect your backup when it's cache gets too big but you should still connect daily or weekly depending on how much you can afford to lose in case your main drive fails.

It is a neat feature.