Windows 8 File History - Confusion / Possible Problem

C

changedsoul

New Member
Messages
3
I have started to use File History for a while now. I used to love it because of its ease of use. I ran into a problem recently though when I ran out of room on my backup drive and needed to free some up.

I went into the advanced settings and cleaned up all backups except the last one. I figured Its all backed up, nothing really has changed on my current running disk, so why should I need countless backup dates. So I removed all backups except the latest backup.

Well after I did this, I realized the "Latest Backup" did "NOT" contain what should have been a "FULL" Backup. This seems to be a flaw in the backup software. Removing all backups except the latest backup should have moved all current versions of the backups files up to the latest backup.

Now Im sitting with a backup that is missing files that should be present. Performing a manual backup doesnt back these files up either. For some reason the file history doesnt think it needs to back these files up.

My only option now to get a full backup is to completely delete my backup and reset up the file history.


Has anyone else had this issue?:mad:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windiow 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
Were the missing files part of the original file history set? When you removed the original backup for it, it may have wiped all instances of those files.

Also I just found out, if you do a Windows backup, it shuts off File History. SO if you used Windows Backup at any time between the time you made the File History and now, it would have interfered with the File History.

If you still have the files you need, then I'd delete all histories and do em again from scratch.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
changedsoul said:
I have started to use File History for a while now. I used to love it because of its ease of use. I ran into a problem recently though when I ran out of room on my backup drive and needed to free some up.

I went into the advanced settings and cleaned up all backups except the last one. I figured Its all backed up, nothing really has changed on my current running disk, so why should I need countless backup dates. So I removed all backups except the latest backup.

Well after I did this, I realized the "Latest Backup" did "NOT" contain what should have been a "FULL" Backup. This seems to be a flaw in the backup software. Removing all backups except the latest backup should have moved all current versions of the backups files up to the latest backup.

Now Im sitting with a backup that is missing files that should be present. Performing a manual backup doesnt back these files up either. For some reason the file history doesnt think it needs to back these files up.

My only option now to get a full backup is to completely delete my backup and reset up the file history.


Has anyone else had this issue?:mad:
Click to expand...

All that you describe makes sense; in that, those files are probably incremental backups. You might be better served to switch to a (periodic) full system image backup strategy. If interested, you can download Macrium Reflect Free which has the ability to perform scheduled backups or you can just simply use the Windows 7 Recovery option (in Win 8) to make unscheduled system image backups as required. Hope this helps.
Good luck.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Windows 8.1 Preview
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
QUOTE=XweAponX;262044]Were the missing files part of the original file history set? When you removed the original backup for it, it may have wiped all instances of those files.

Also I just found out, if you do a Windows backup, it shuts off File History. SO if you used Windows Backup at any time between the time you made the File History and now, it would have interfered with the File History.

If you still have the files you need, then I'd delete all histories and do em again from scratch.[/QUOTE]

>>If I understand you, using Windows imaging program while the file history is on, causes a problem with file history.
I am glad you pointed this out as I was about to use file history but have a Win. image on my external hard drive.
This sounds like a flaw, in a way, as no one can know this intuitively.
I also have more current images with Macrium which will not interfere with File history, I assume.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
Yes the missing files were part of the original first file history backup. I resorted to deleting all history and doing another full file history backup. I have never done a windows backup other than using file history, so this is not my issue.

As a test, after my newly created File History backup, I made a change to some files, then did another backup. I then deleted all backups but the latest one. What I found was it works as it is supposed to work. I had all my current files. So I have no idea why I was missing files in my backups before.

The only thing I can think of is when I am over wifi and I get messages saying "Reenter your credentials". Perhaps the inability of the file history to backup caused some corruption in how it knows which files need backed up?

Its working as of now, but Ill keep a closer eye on it and see if I cant pin point what is causing the issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windiow 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
Peter2 said:
If I understand you, using Windows imaging program while the file history is on, causes a problem with file history.
I am glad you pointed this out as I was about to use file history but have a Win. image on my external hard drive.
This sounds like a flaw, in a way, as no one can know this intuitively.
I also have more current images with Macrium which will not interfere with File history, I assume.
Click to expand...

You can use File History or Windows File Recovery, but not both at the same time. If you use a 3rd party imaging program, I'll assume it does not interfere with the Windows programs, unless it replaces them.

So, if you'd rather use File History, then you can make the full backup with Macrium.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Hello
I do appreciate this information and will make good use of it. Thank you for writing.
Peter
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top