How to Enable or Disable File History in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationFile History is a new feature introduced in Windows 8 that lets one backup and restore specific files and folders at a specified time and location.
This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to use File History to backup and restore specific files and folders in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to use File History to backup and restore specific files and folders in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
EXAMPLE: "File History" Disabled
OPTION ONE
Enable or Disable File History using a REG File Download
NoteThe .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory
Disabled DWORD
0 = Enable File History
1 = Disable File History
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory
Disabled DWORD
0 = Enable File History
1 = Disable File History
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable File History
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_File_History.reg
B) Go to step 4 below.
3. To Disable File History
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_File_History.reg
B) Go to step 4 below.
4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION TWO
Enable or Disable File History in Local Group Policy Editor
NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
1. From the Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc and press Enter when finished.
NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open File History. (see screenshot below)
4. In the right pane of File History, double click/tap on Turn off File History. (see screenshot above)
5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.
6. To Enable File History
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 7A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
7. To Disable File History
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Set up and Use File History in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Restore Previous Versions of your Files with File History in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "File History Home" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Use File History Cleanup to Delete Older Versions of Files in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Recommend your File History Drive to Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "File History" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Reset File History to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1
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