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I would like to use the File History feature of Windows 8 and so far it has been working fine. However, I have come across a scenario and need input on practicality for the following:
2. System crashes and new HDD required
4. Time to use File History for restore.... BUT
From what I understand you cannot "point" the new Windows 8 machine to use the external drive with previous File History. You will need to do a manual copy and paste from the external USB (by selecting the appropriate file in the File History directory on the USB drive).
The problem is, File History appends the date and time stamp, thus the file name changes. For example, MYDOC.DOC become MYDOC.DOC ((2013_04_04 18_27_46 UTC).
How do you remove the parenthesis from the file name when copying the file back to its original location or is File History not a "system restore" type utility. Whilst the parenthesis will not stop applications working (like WORD, OUTLOOK etc), it looks horrible and creates these long file names that is unwanted.
Thoughts/suggestions/comments?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I just had to try to do this, and I was able to (on a new Win8 machine) point at the previous backup by clicking Drives and then selecting my backup drive (a network share in my case). Then I was able to check "I want to use a previous backup on this File History drive" and it displayed my existing backups on that drive. Finally, I was able to do the regular (if not very intuitive) restore files by clicking the settings icon in the upper right of File History.
Hope that helps,
Glenn Gailey
Although, I've had a similar issue with transferring file from file history to my new computer, I have a bigger problem.
As previous post stated, the file history, for whatever reasons, changed the file name to thousands of pictures and video files in file history. One of my hard drive that contains the original files has crashed, and I was relying on Windows 8 file history to restore the pictures and videos.
When I transfer the files from file history to the new hard drive, all the file names have been changed. My heart dropped when I saw the long UTC file extensions added to thousands of photos and videos of my children. It's impossible to manually change the file name back to their original name.
Anybody knows what happened and/or have solutions to fix the UTC file name?
I'm calmly typing this right now, but I'll start making relentless phone calls if I don't find the solution soon.
Thank you,
This is a disaster. I just checked the rest of the files that file history has touched. File history has added UTC extension to every file, including documents and music. I mean every file. It looks like this.
014 (2013_11_15 19_53_47 UTC) (2014_01_19 11_09_31 UTC)
This file was transferred twice. So, each time this file was transferred, it adds the time stamp.
This is a serious problem. Please help.
MrTaiwan,
I'm confused. It seemed PTJam explained the process of attaching an existing file history drive from the previous machine to the new machine and restoring the backed up files with no need to rename anything. Did it not work for you?
I'm replying because I'm curious if there is any problems in PTJams comment, since I'm trusting that it will work.
Eugene
Seriously, between this and the fact the 8.1 update removes and disables system restore, MS should be sued in a class action suit. I like MS, Windows and even the new 8, but for gods sakes, this is absolutely the worst case scenario and I'm so disgusted! Anyway, Flexible Renamer can be downloaded at CNET Download.com and works really well without any limitations. However, if you have used ()'s in the file name intentionally, like pic (edit2).jpg, it will have a hard time - best to do those manually. I'm now looking for a 3rd party backup that I can use without too much stress.
Make sure you re-enable your restore points.
Backup early and backup often.
Contemplating an Apple after 26 years!
Good luck to us all!!
Go to File History. Make sure the file history is NOT turned on for the current Windows 8 or 8.1 installation. Then in the top left select "Select drive". You will be presented with your External Drive. Select this drive. There will be the message "This File History drive was previously used". You also will see the file history version from the backup of you previous Windows installation. If you started file history on the new (current) installation, you will also see that version with a more current date-time stamp. Select the previous version . There will be the message "Do you wan tot use this drive for File History again?" Select yes.
It will return to the maim file history screen. File history will now be turned on.
Select "Restore personal files"
You will see all the previous incremental backups from your previous Windows 8 installation. Just select what you would like to restore and then click the "Green" restore button.
