History backup

alpha45 · Mar 24, 2022

I have selected in the file history to keep the files for a month, but it has been saving them for 3 months without deleting the previous ones and if I set clean versions it finds nothing and the attached pop comes out.
I tried to set up a new file history backup but it doesn't change ..
Tank you

Haydon · Mar 24, 2022

Yeah, I too notice that File History sometimes 'disobeys'. But it never failed me on its backup/restore functionality. In the very beginning I always checked for added/deleted/modified files/folders and verified correct restore. Nowadays, I mostly look at the added/deleted/modified files/folders every now and then without doing an actual restore.

My present view is that File History has internal reasons for 'disobeying'. What those internal reasons are, nobody seems to know, there does not seem to be any MS documentation on the internal workings of File History.

I myself have stopped worrying about the 'disobeying' issue (without trying to force anything) since the backup/restore functionality is as reliable as it can be (although I still do the occasional check as described in the above and very occasionally do an actual restore of a file/folder)

Good luck

Bastet · Mar 24, 2022

I gave up on File History on Win 10 as I couldn’t clean up old versions. As I use Macrium it’s no loss as I can recover files that way. File History is now off on Win 11 too.

Haydon · Mar 24, 2022

Bastet said:
I gave up on File History on Win 10 as I couldn’t clean up old versions. As I use Macrium it’s no loss as I can recover files that way. File History is now off on Win 11 too.

You could have done what I have done, delete the File History folder from time to time to force 'File History copies your files for the first time' (I don't do this as often anymore, since I do not see a real issue as per my previous post)

Although, yeah, it is these little mysteries that every tool has that makes me love (controlled) redundancy, have more than one tool if possible, backup tool or other tools.

Bastet · Mar 24, 2022

As I had many files saved it would take quite A few hours to save them again. I had to run a new File History backup overnight. It’s just not worth it.

Haydon · Mar 24, 2022

Well, I used to delete the File History folder every month or so. The first run is a full backup and took its time, yes (and I don't even force the full backups as often anymore, as I said)

The nice thing of File History is the hourly backups that run automatically in the background, you don't even notice that while you work. The most you lose is one hour worth of work (you don't have to run a new File History backup overnight to achieve that)

Every tool has its good and not so good sides, File History has a LOT of good sides.

Edit: I am talking about the default settings of File History, it's optimal for doing most office work.

Bastet · Mar 24, 2022

Thanks for the information. My image backup is fine for me as I don’t update my files often enough to run File History. In any case under Win 11 I cannot add my own files/folders to the backup - only the default folders which MS deem to choose.

Haydon · Mar 24, 2022

Well, you don't have to 'run' File History as such, it is a 'set and forget', it will run automatically in the background as you are working.

That is quite unlike Macrium Reflect that you have to expressly run (and interrupt your work)

And yes, you can add your own files/folders in the your usual Users folder (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, etc. you could even put a 'Family photos' folder in your Documents folder if you are so inclined) to be included in the backup. You can also 'Exclude folders' in the File History control panel. Lots of flexibility here.

I am not trying to convince you to use File History (again) and I like Macrium Reflect too, but these tools (like any other tool) have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I like to see these tools as the various music instruments that work together in a band. Of course, everyone makes their own music

Bastet · Mar 25, 2022

Thanks, I’m aware File History doesn’t require manually running. :) I have folders within the Programs folder which contain files pertaining to the program - an example is works templates I’ve downloaded within the MS Works program folder. I cannot add these to File History on Win 11.
If you have a Home license then you can set Macrium to run automatically on a schedule. I purchased this several years ago.

Haydon · Mar 25, 2022

I don't use MS Works (I use MS 365) but I would be very surprised if you couldn't put a copy of the templates in the Documents folder that would be included in the File History backup. That said, I myself wouldn't do that though, I'd rather redownload the templates than restore them from a (any) backup.

People around here like to restore apps, because it is quicker (and sometimes because the old app is no longer available, for some reason) I myself prefer to freshly reinstall/reconfigure apps, it happens only once in x years.

The free Macrium Reflect also allows for scheduling. Some people here say that they manually run the program up to several times during the workday (after making big changes) I would find that disruptive.

Bastet · Mar 26, 2022

The problem is I don’t want to move a file to the documents folder just to back it up. :) I use Office too as a freebie due to my being a Microsoft volunteer Moderator, I don’t know yet if this will continue to be free after the first year so am keeping Works just in case.
I agree restoring from File History is quicker.

Haydon · Mar 26, 2022

Much of it depends on how one works, I think. I myself use templates, stock pictures, etc as they are available in abundance on the web, there is no real need to back them up. There are people who customize templates, stock pictures, combine them, etc. and store them in Documents and Pictures, where else?

I am not sure that restore in File History is faster than restore in Macrium Reflect, in either case you would have to lauch the app to do a restore. The difference is in the backup mode, FH working in the background vs MR backing up everything. They perform different functions in an overall backup/restore plan. I also begin to like robocopy, for that matter, another musical instrument in the band. I will be playing with all 3 of them this weekend.

Bastet · Mar 26, 2022

They’re downloads from the Works website so most likely will no longer be available. I can access them via Works.

Haydon · Mar 26, 2022

I have 2 folders for such 'irreplacables', 1 in Documents, 1 in Pictures, in case one of them gets damaged. Note that a backup of a damaged file/folder is also a damaged file/folder. In addition to the regular backups, I also keep an archive of the 'irreplacables', 1 on CD/DVD, 1 on a USB stick. I check on the archive every other year or so (just to check that they are still good) but they are otherwise air gapped from any live system, safe from any malware and safe from any frequent use. The archive saves work, BTW, without it I would have maintained yet another entire backup, which may not even that (equally) purposeful. I never had an occasion to actually having to use the archive, but I consider this scheme one of the better things in my overall backup plan

History backup

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