File History still uses the old computer name after I changed it


  1. perkinw
    Posts : 129
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #1

    File History still uses the old computer name after I changed it


    I was using File History, but I needed to change the computer name (for reasons unrelated to File History).

    I turned File History off and deleted the backup directory that it had created (in a shared folder on a NAS).

    I changed the computer name and restarted the computer.

    I turned File History back on and clicked "Back up now."

    But File History still creates a backup directory with the old computer name.

    What's going on?
    Last edited by perkinw; 31 Jul 2019 at 12:37.
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  3. bro67
    Posts : 9,792
    Mac OS Catalina
       New #2

    Yes it will when changing computers. See: How to correctly use File History to transfer data files to a new Windows 10 installation - TechRepublic See this for how to edit the old name: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...0-7510d7bfde03
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  4. perkinw
    Posts : 129
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    bro67 said:
    Yes it will when changing computers. See: How to correctly use File History to transfer data files to a new Windows 10 installation - TechRepublic See this for how to edit the old name: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...0-7510d7bfde03
    But I'm not transferring history data from one Windows 10 installation to another. I simply renamed my PC and I want File History to use the new name. I don't understand why it insists on using the old name, even after I deleted all the file history data on the backup drive. The TechRepublic article seems to imply that there's no starting over with File History once you've turned it on.

    The second article describes exactly the problem I'm having, but doesn't offer a solution.

    Anyway, it's obviously so complicated that I'm done with it. I'll mirror my files using SyncBackFree like I did before Windows 10. Ugh.
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  6. bro67
    Posts : 9,792
    Mac OS Catalina
       New #4

    See the information again in the second link. Not really complicated.
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  7. perkinw
    Posts : 129
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    bro67 said:
    See the information again in the second link. Not really complicated.
    Thank you for making me look a second time. For some reason, the the first time I checked that link the response was collapsed and it looked like no one had a solution. Now I see it's so easy!
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  8. bro67
    Posts : 9,792
    Mac OS Catalina
       New #6

    It takes a bit of time doing various searches to find info, so do not smack yourself for overseeing. I do it myself at times when flustered.
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