File History error when selecting network drive


  1. Posts : 5
    Win10 Pro May 2019
       #1

    File History error when selecting network drive


    I'm attempting to enable File History on my machine with a network drive as the storage location. The drive is mapped and I'm able to use it via File Explorer with no issues. However, when I try to select the drive for File History it gives this error: "Could not enable File History - The system could not find the file specified."

    This issue is consistent across multiple machines. The network drive is located on a Mac mini that has been setup with file sharing. I've double checked permissions and have tried selecting a different share, no change.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    I would look at other options since File History has been degraded by Microsoft.
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  3. Posts : 5
    Win10 Pro May 2019
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It has? It's what gets enabled when you turn on the backup feature from with the Settings app.
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  4. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    AnotherUpdate said:
    It has? It's what gets enabled when you turn on the backup feature from with the Settings app.
    There's some confusion here, I think. While it is true that 'Backup & Restore (Windows 7)' is a deprecated feature, AFAIK File History isn't.

    The network drive is located on a Mac mini that has been setup with file sharing. I've double checked permissions and have tried selecting a different share, no change.
    The fact that the share is on a Mac is probably at the heart of your problem. Check again that it is set up correctly, in particular have you set up an account on the Mac for the Windows user?

    macOS Sierra: Set up a Mac to share files with Windows users

    Try mapping a drive letter to the share on the Mac, can you copy files to and from it in File Explorer? If not, you need to sort out the permissions and/or user account you are connecting with before trying to set up File History.
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  5. Posts : 5
    Win10 Pro May 2019
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Bree said:
    There's some confusion here, I think. While it is true that 'Backup & Restore (Windows 7)' is a deprecated feature, AFAIK File History isn't.



    The fact that the share is on a Mac is probably at the heart of your problem. Check again that it is set up correctly, in particular have you set up an account on the Mac for the Windows user?

    macOS Sierra: Set up a Mac to share files with Windows users

    Try mapping a drive letter to the share on the Mac, can you copy files to and from it in File Explorer? If not, you need to sort out the permissions and/or user account you are connecting with before trying to set up File History.
    Yes, I believe you're right about Windows 7 Backup & Restore.

    I have Sharing Only accounts setup on the Mac for each PC on my network. The drive has been mapped on each of them and they are all able to read and write to the folder from File Explorer.
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  6. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    AnotherUpdate said:
    I have Sharing Only accounts setup on the Mac for each PC on my network. The drive has been mapped on each of them and they are all able to read and write to the folder from File Explorer.
    Then it seems permissions are correct.

    You don't need to map a drive to set up File History to use a network share. I have mine set up to use a folder called File_History on a external HDD plugged into the USB port of my router and shared on the network. Try setting yours up to use \\server\sharename rather than a mapped drive letter. I find this is easiest done from the Control Panel rather than Settings, in particular the Control Panel lets you choose a sub-folder on the share where Setting only lets you choose a share.

    File History error when selecting network drive-image.png
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  7. Posts : 5
    Win10 Pro May 2019
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Bree said:
    Then it seems permissions are correct.

    You don't need to map a drive to set up File History to use a network share. I have mine set up to use a folder called File_History on a external HDD plugged into the USB port of my router and shared on the network. Try setting yours up to use \\server\sharename rather than a mapped drive letter. I find this is easiest done from the Control Panel rather than Settings, in particular the Control Panel lets you choose a sub-folder on the share where Setting only lets you choose a share.

    File History error when selecting network drive-image.png
    Thanks, Control Panel is where I've been doing it from. I've tried using the path name as well, no luck. Are you running the May 2019 update?
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  8. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #8

    AnotherUpdate said:
    Thanks, Control Panel is where I've been doing it from. I've tried using the path name as well, no luck. Are you running the May 2019 update?
    Yes.

    File History error when selecting network drive-image.png

    You can easily test that your File History can be set up correctly when using a Windows share. Share a folder on another (or even the same) Windows PC, then set that as you File History share.


    I'm afraid this 'file not found' problem when using a Mac share for File History seems to be a long standing (and as yet unsolved) one.

    https://social.technet.microsoft.com...10itprogeneral
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 5
    Win10 Pro May 2019
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Bree said:
    Yes.

    File History error when selecting network drive-image.png

    You can easily test that your File History can be set up correctly when using a Windows share. Share a folder on another (or even the same) Windows PC, then set that as you File History share.


    I'm afraid this 'file not found' problem when using a Mac share for File History seems to be a long standing (and as yet unsolved) one.

    https://social.technet.microsoft.com...10itprogeneral
    Well that's frustrating, I'll blame Windows here :P

    Guess I'll just go with a third party backup solution. Thanks for the help.
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  10. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #10

    AnotherUpdate said:
    Well that's frustrating, I'll blame Windows here :P
    Well, whether its Windows or the Mac's 'fault' is hard to say. What is certain is that the two have different interpretations of how some of the obscure details of SMB should work.
      My Computers


 

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