File History creates duplicate drives/folders

I have a 750 Gb external HDD that I’m using exclusively for File History. The drive works fine but I discovered something strange and frustrating. In File Explorer, the HDD shows up twice, each being HDD(D:), and each having a File History folder, In Properties, each of the File History folders shows as 228 Gb, and each HDD(D:) shows as 748 Gb. As a result, the HDD is full even though the File History folders, combined, total only 456 Gb. If I delete a file or folder from one of the File History folders, it gets deleted from the other as well. How can I avoid having 2 of everything on the HDD and regain space? In each HDD(D:) there’s also a Windows Image Backup folder, but these show as 0 bytes in File Explorer.

cant help with your exact problem but MS have stopped file history on Win 11 24H2.
there is a very good free open source alternative called FreeFileSync, which is what i use to replace file history.

im not sure if this is of any help
best of luck, Steve ..

XxXxX said:

cant help with your exact problem but MS have stopped file history on Win 11 24H2.

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Huh?

The same drive showing twice doesn’t mean it’s duplicated. If you’re referring to the navigation pane, you need to edit the registry so external drives don’t show twice. Posting a screenshot of what you’re referring to would help us help you too.