file history - element not found error

Mark Lovell 5 Reputation points
2026-01-29T17:40:32.8066667+00:00

file history - element not found. Any solutions yet?

I am getting the error message on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup
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  1. Mark Lovell 5 Reputation points
    2026-09-13T17:44:15.7266667+00:00

    After the last update to Windows 11 25H2, file history is turned off and, if I turn it on and try to select the the backup drive, Windows turns it off - any suggestions:

    My Windows info:

    Edition Windows 11 Home

    Version 25H2

    Installed on ‎19/‎10/‎2024

    OS build 26200.9445

    Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.360.0

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  2. Sponge bob 0 Reputation points
    2026-03-18T09:02:31.5066667+00:00

    Hi,

    I just would like to give my feedback on the suggested solutions. They are NOT WORKING!

    After I executed the command fhmanagew.exe -cleanup <days>, it says "Element not found."

    I am sorry but I have to say it's ridiculous the Windows built-in file history application is not reliable, while the 3rd party backup software might help.

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  3. Lucus-V 12,715 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-01-29T22:13:29.7733333+00:00

    Hi Mark Lovell,
    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

    Please try refreshing File History by following steps:

    • Turn off File History.
    • Delete the File History database:
      • Press Windows key + R.
      • Type %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory and press Enter.
      • Select all files in the folder and delete them.
    • Re-enable File History.
    • Test it again.

    Alternative, you may run cleanup command instead of using GUI. Please run this command on Command Prompt:

    fhmanagew.exe -cleanup <days>

    Please replace <days> with an integer, example: 30, 60, 180.

    Please note that File History tends to skip very deep folder structures, as at the moment File History may not support Long Paths.

    I hope that above information is helpful to you.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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