File History - Enable or Disable in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable File History in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
File 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.


EXAMPLE: "File History" Disabled
disabled.jpg






OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable File History using a REG File Download



Note   Note
The .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


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
download
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
download
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)​
GPEDIT-1.jpg
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)​
GPEDIT-2.jpg
8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

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