I use File history for backup

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 1,438
    Windows 10
       #1

    I use File history for backup


    To a drive on my LAN, if my computer crashes how do I get my files back to my new computer?

    V2004 B19041.685
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Useful discussion here- see 1st answer and follow link.
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...f-f39d2193ce23
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,438
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    From the link:

    He states:
    I just had to try to do this, and I was able to (on a new Win8 machine) point at the previous backup by clicking Drives and then selecting my backup drive (a network share in my case). Then I was able to check "I want to use a previous backup on this File History drive" and it displayed my existing backups on that drive. Finally, I was able to do the regular (if not very intuitive) restore files by clicking the settings icon in the upper right of File History.

    There is no "Drives" to click,

    I use File history for backup-2020-12-31-12_38_50-home-file-history.png


    - - - Updated - - -

    I found a select drive, choose the drive but it wouldn't let me restore from that drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,218
    W10-Pro 22H2
       #4

    rboppy said:
    There is no "Drives" to click <screen shot> I found a select drive, choose the drive but it wouldn't let me restore from that drive.
    Where are you (within Windows) when 'there is no drive to click?
    And where did you then go to find a drive? What were you attempting to do?

    It is possible to access old FH backups. To test what might happen in the event of disaster on your PC, it would be best to try to 'pick up' the existing FH on the LAN drive from another PC. But failing that, you would have to turn off FH, then turn it on again - after you have selected the drive containing the previous backups, FH should offer to pick up an existing backup:
    I use File history for backup-fh1.png
    Having done that, it should be possible to restore from that drive in the 'normal' way. hth, Martin

    PS See my previous posts on this topic here: Local USB Backup Drive moved to Network Drive ?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,438
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks Martin, I'll try to clarify what I'm doing.

    Where are you (within Windows) when 'there is no drive to click?
    I'm in the FH Restore screen, the links given by @dalchina didn't cover where they were.

    And where did you then go to find a drive?
    Backups-More options- See advanced settings- Select drive
    What were you attempting to do?
    I want to test FH to get my files back in case of a catastrophic failure. I have a spare computer and I was attempting to do what you suggested.
    It is possible to access old FH backups. To test what might happen in the event of disaster on your PC, it would be best to try to 'pick up' the existing FH on the LAN drive from another PC.

    The problem is I can't 'pick up' the existing FH. I select the folder with FH it give me this:
    I use File history for backup-2021-01-01-14_10_54-file-history.png
    I followed your link and didn't think it applied to my situation.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,218
    W10-Pro 22H2
       #6

    On my PC, already using FH, if I try to select a drive with no FH on it, I get the window I posted above, but without the bottom half (select an existing backup) - and if I choose the drive, I get the dialog you got. This suggests you are doing this whilst FH is already in use - so Windows is asking if you want to carry over the FH data you are currently using to the new, but so far empty (of FH data) drive.

    You need to be sure that you are not already using FH on the spare computer (if you are , turn it off), and that the drive you select has FH data on it (from another PC). If you do that, what do you get?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,438
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    This is what I get with FH off.
    I use File history for backup-fh.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,218
    W10-Pro 22H2
       #8

    So at that point, select that existing backup. When you (or, rather FH) has finished, you should find all the files available for restoring.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,438
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    It looks just the opposite:
    I use File history for backup-fh2.png

    LIke it want to copy all the files from \The-Shop to \Jim Allen, I'll run it and see what happens.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Nothing got copied to \The-Shop.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,218
    W10-Pro 22H2
       #10

    rboppy said:
    Nothing got copied to \The-Shop.
    The data you saved on THE-SHOP should already be on the drive. What FH should have done is copied whatever you have defined to be backed up on JIM-ALLEN. If it did nothing, I am a bit surprised, unless you have nothing defined. Have you looked at the contents of the FileHistory folder on the backup drive? You should see a folder under your W10 user name on JIM-ALLEN, and also a folder under your username on THE-SHOP. In each case, the 'user' folders should contain folders with the PC name, eg:
    I use File history for backup-fh-folders.png
    In my case, it was two users on the same PC (STUDY). Perhaps attach a screen shot of what your drive contains?
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums