Fix: File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive  

Fix: File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive


Table of Contents
  1. Scenario: File History doesn't recognise this drive
  2. Why File History cannot recognize a drive
  3. How to fix File History doesn't recognize this drive.
    1. Solution 1. Manually start the service
    2. Solution 2. Reconnect the drive and turn on file history
  4. Use File History alternative to auto backup files and folders
  5. Conclusion

Scenario: File History doesn't recognise this drive

When trying to backup your files to another hard drive in case the originals are lost, you may find out that File History doesn’t recognize this drive. Sometimes, the error message will be like the system cannot find the file specified. The File History still fails when you try reconnect it or choose another disk.

File History Doesn't Recognize This Drive

Why File History cannot recognize a drive

The reason behind File History drive not recognized or disconnected may be:

How to fix File History doesn't recognize this drive.

For troubleshooting, you can try the following solutions or simply use a more robust automatic file backup tool.

Solution 1. Manually start the service

1. Search for "Services" and open it. Or you can press Win + R, type "services.msc" in the box and press Enter to open it.

2. Locate the "File History Service". Start the service and set the Start type to "Automatic".

Restart Service

Solution 2. Reconnect the drive and turn on file history

1. Show hidden files and folders in File Explorer Options, and also uncheck the option "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)".

2. Delete the folder in the following path:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration\Configuration

3. Go to File History to connect the drive again, and make sure File History is turned on.

Use File History alternative to auto backup files and folders

If the File History is not working after using the two methods above, you can use free and robust backup software Qiling Disk Master Standard to backup your files and folders. Compared with File History, Qiling Disk Master runs faster and gives you more options, such as incremental backup, automatic system backup, backup to local drive, compress backup image, etc.

Simply put, this freeware can take care of most of your backup needs. In addition, you can also use it for folder synchronization or hard drive cloning.

How to backup files and folders with Qiling Disk Master:

1. Free download, install and launch this freeware.

2. Under Backup tab, choose File Backup.

File Backup

3. Click Files or Folders to specify files or folders into the backup, In the select folder window, you can also set a filter to exclude files form the backup (premium feature).

Folders or Files

File Backup Funnel

4. Specify a location path to receive the file image backup. It supports internal/external drive, USB flash drive, network share, NAS, cloud, etc.

Select Destination

5. Finally, you can click Schedule Backup to set a scheduled automatic backup if needed. For more options, click Options button. Then click Proceed to start the backup.

Tips:

Conclusion

After the backup completes, you can restore partial files or the entire content of the backup as any time. After fixing the problem that file history doesn't recognize this drive, you may also be interested in File Sync, which is also one of the feature of Qiling Disk Master. Besides that, Qiling Disk Master also allows you to create system image backup, make bootable media, and hard drive clone to SSD.

Related Articles


Is this information helpful?     

What can we do to improve this information? (Optional)
Refresh Please enter the verification code!