File History not updating automatically and with great difficulty manually

Question

File History not updating automatically and with great difficulty manually

Heather Burridge 0

For the last few days been experiencing an issue with File History. Have talked with various people on Live Chat and various things have been tried:

Opening File History and turning it off.
Opening the File History configuration folder and renaming it
Re-enabling file history
Backup drive was checked to ensure it did not have any file system errors and came back healthy using CHCKDSK
Check that Window system files were not damaged by doing DSIM repair, waiting for scan to complete
Running SFC system checker and restarting computer after both scans finished The above steps worked for a short period of time and when I went back again was told that was all that could be done and the next step was to contact my PC manufacturer. I did this today 08/08/2026.
With help from my PC manufacturer and a full custom installation was completed on my PC today so have a brand new fresh copy of everything, and again thought working, but has stopped working [properly again.

For your information there is chatter over the internet there is an issue with File History at the present time and I am just one of many people who seem to have been experiencing it, and specifically in my case since Wednesday 5th August. Others seem to have been experiencing since the beginning of the month of August.

Could someone look into this issue as I do not have an extra way of backing up my data safely while File History is not behaving as it should. Please provide an answer as to how the issue can be fixed so that File History behaves the way it should.

Thank you and I look forward to a response as to what the next steps are.

Heather Burridge

James Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-12T08:05:50.7933333+00:00

If File History is failing despite system scans and a fresh Windows reinstall, the issue is likely rooted in corrupted cache files, a changing drive letter, or an unstarted background service. To resolve this, open Services (services.msc), ensure the file history service startup type is set to Automatic, and assign a permanent letter (like X:) to your backup drive via Disk Management. Then, navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory, clear out the cached configuration folder, and select the drive fresh in Control Panel > File History to restart automatic background backups properly.
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-08-21T05:10:39.14+00:00

Is it related to updating KB5101684 and KB5121767?

My problem is that after the update, the archive history can be backed up, but the time cannot be updated. It can only be resolved by pressing the disk drive again. The service can run.
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Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T10:59:42.2933333+00:00

Hello,

I don't know if the issues I have been experiencing are to do with the updates you have suggested as I had to do a total custom installation and they could be included in that - I don't know. On checking my Windows Update I don't see those numbers at all.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T11:02:21.0266667+00:00

I don't know if the above updates have caused the issue I have been experiencing as I had to have total custom installation and I have no idea whether they were included in it. On checking my Windows Update history since the custom installation, I am not seeing these numbered updates listed.
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2 answers

Your answer

James Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-12T08:05:50.7933333+00:00

If File History is failing despite system scans and a fresh Windows reinstall, the issue is likely rooted in corrupted cache files, a changing drive letter, or an unstarted background service. To resolve this, open Services (services.msc), ensure the file history service startup type is set to Automatic, and assign a permanent letter (like X:) to your backup drive via Disk Management. Then, navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory, clear out the cached configuration folder, and select the drive fresh in Control Panel > File History to restart automatic background backups properly.
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-08-21T05:10:39.14+00:00

Is it related to updating KB5101684 and KB5121767?

My problem is that after the update, the archive history can be backed up, but the time cannot be updated. It can only be resolved by pressing the disk drive again. The service can run.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T10:59:42.2933333+00:00

Hello,

I don't know if the issues I have been experiencing are to do with the updates you have suggested as I had to do a total custom installation and they could be included in that - I don't know. On checking my Windows Update I don't see those numbers at all.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T11:02:21.0266667+00:00

I don't know if the above updates have caused the issue I have been experiencing as I had to have total custom installation and I have no idea whether they were included in it. On checking my Windows Update history since the custom installation, I am not seeing these numbered updates listed.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Answer 1

Hendrix-V 19,470 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for sharing the extensive troubleshooting you've already completed. Since the behavior persists even after a clean Windows installation and verification of the backup drive, it would be helpful to focus on identifying whether File History is encountering a specific runtime error rather than a configuration issue.

As a next step, please check Event Viewer for File History related events:

Press Win + R, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.
Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > FileHistory-Engine > Operational.
Look for any recent Warning or Error entries that coincide with the time automatic backups should have run.

If any error IDs or messages are listed, please share them here. They can provide more targeted information about what is preventing File History from completing updates successfully.

In the meantime, you may also want to test File History with a different backup destination (another external drive or network location) to help determine whether the issue is specific to the current backup target.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-09T15:23:32.5566667+00:00

Hi Hendrick,

I have Operational in my FeatureConfiguration folder in event viewer for File History, and in the FileHistory-Engine folder is File History backup log. Below is an image from the File History backup log. When I open Operational in FeatureConfiguration there is nothing there at all.

Also my external backup was checked for issues as part of what Microsoft did to try to find out what is going on and my backup drive is healthy. Also when looking at File History my external back up is definitely being seen by the PC. See below for another image.

Both back ups completed today have been manual, as even though File History is set to do back ups every hour (default) it is not. I completed a manual back up at 1047 this morning when I turned on my computer and have just completed another as I am reinstalling my documents following the custom installation yesterday so want to ensure everything stays backed up properly. The time code for the second one the one is 1605. I will do further manual ones, if it works, as I continue to get my PC back to what it was before the custom installation.

When I spoke to the manufacturer of my PC (they helped me do the custom installation) from their point of view there is nothing wrong with my system, so they pointed me back to Microsoft. One of the people on Microsoft get help suggested I post a query here to see what could be do.

When looking online other people seem to be having an issue with File History at the present time too. As I said previously, this, from my knowledge, has only started since last week.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-09T15:38:03.09+00:00

Have just given a long comment with what I have discovered and nothing seems to be here when I check it.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-09T15:39:24.95+00:00

It finally appeared. Getting worried it was not there!
Hendrix-V 19,470 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-12T07:34:15.6133333+00:00
Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for the additional information and screenshots. Based on your findings, File History can still see the backup drive and complete backups successfully when started manually. Since the backup drive has been checked, a clean Windows installation has already been performed, and your PC manufacturer did not identify any hardware issues, the backup destination itself does not appear to be the cause.

As a quick additional check:

Press Win + R, type services.msc and press Enter.

Locate File History Service.

Confirm it is Running and set to Automatic (or Automatic - Delayed Start).

If it is already running, restart the service and monitor whether the next scheduled backup runs automatically.

The fact that manual backups continue to complete successfully suggests that File History's backup functionality remains operational, while the scheduled backup process may not be triggering as expected. Since the issue persisted even after a clean installation, continuing to monitor the behavior and comparing results with other users reporting similar symptoms may help identify a common pattern.

In the meantime, continuing with periodic manual backups is a good precaution to ensure your files remain protected. Thank you for documenting your troubleshooting so thoroughly.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-12T07:59:26.7566667+00:00

Hello again,

I have done as you have asked and restarted File History in the services section (it was already running though at the time). Have also included a screenshot to show how it is running. I will keep an eye out to see if anything happens now that I have restarted it and will post later to let you know the outcome.
Hendrix-V 19,470 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-13T07:45:33.1333333+00:00

Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for the update and for sharing the screenshot. The image confirms that File History Service is running and configured as Automatic (Delayed Start, Trigger Start), which indicates the service itself is enabled and operating as expected.

For now, I recommend allowing a few scheduled backup intervals to pass and checking whether the "Files last copied" time updates without manual intervention. If automatic backups still do not occur, please let us know what time they were expected to run and whether any new entries appear in the File History logs.

Thank you for your patience and for documenting the results so clearly. The troubleshooting completed so far has already helped narrow down several possible causes.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T10:25:49.2633333+00:00

Hello,

Have been checking the eventviewer as asked and this screenshot shows what I am seeing in my FileHistory-Core Operational file. It looks like File History has done a check each hour since it was switched on this morning (it is scheduled every hour to run) (first shot), but the "Files last copied" date and time is still showing the last manual run I did yesterday evening before switching the PC off for the day (second shot)

Hopefully this gives some more information to help narrow down some more possible causes and a fix can be provided.

I have noticed though in my File History backup log there are quite a few errors about MAX-PATH being exceeded but don't think these are causing issues. I am dealing with them anyway by renaming paths as necessary.

Please could you keep me informed as to progress and if there is anything else you need me to do to help narrow things down and I will be happy to help if I can.
Hendrix-V 19,470 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-14T07:54:55.09+00:00
Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for the update and for checking the logs. Based on what you've shared, File History appears to be performing its scheduled hourly checks, and the service is running correctly. However, the "Files last copied" timestamp is still reflecting the last manual backup, which suggests the scheduled checks are not progressing to a full backup run.

One useful test would be to see whether File History detects a new change:

Create a small text file on your Desktop (for example, FileHistoryTest.txt).

Leave the PC running until after the next scheduled backup interval.

Check whether the "Files last copied" time updates automatically.

Compare any new entries that appear in the File History logs around that time.

The MAX_PATH exceeded messages are worth continuing to address, as files with excessively long paths can be skipped during backup operations. However, since manual backups are completing successfully, those entries may not fully explain why the scheduled backups are not updating.

Thank you for continuing to gather detailed information. Your findings have already helped narrow the issue considerably.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T09:15:41.5233333+00:00

Hello,

Have been checking the eventviewer as asked and this screenshot shows what I am seeing in my FileHistory-Core Operational file. It looks like File History has done a check each hour since it was switched on this morning (it is scheduled every hour to run) (first shot), but the "Files last copied" date and time is still showing the last manual run I did yesterday evening before switching the PC off for the day (second shot)

Hopefully this gives some more information to help narrow down some more possible causes and a fix can be provided.

I have noticed though in my File History backup log there are quite a few errors about MAX-PATH being exceeded but don't think these are causing issues. I am dealing with them anyway by renaming paths as necessary.

Please could you keep me informed as to progress and if there is anything else you need me to do to help narrow things down and I will be happy to help if I can.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T10:35:41.01+00:00
Hello Hendrik

I created a document called Hello World at around 9.30am this morning and saved it to my documents file. The machine was turned on around 9amish. The Event Viewer shows this information first scan soon after turning on PC and then a scan at 10:12am. The Hello World document I created about 9.30am appears in the 10:12am backup when I checked File History. The timestamp also changed to show a scan had happened when new document was found.

I haven't created or changed anymore documents and checked everything again. Event Viewer is showing that File History has done a check, but this time the File History time stamp has not changed.

I have also dealt with all the MAX-PATH errors that were found. I saved a copy of the log but then cleared the log itself so I can see if any other errors appear. Now my File History log is not showing any errors at all.

1750 14.8.26

Further to the above. I saved other documents and made other changes today as I have been working and I can see that there have been Restore Personal Folders updates at 11:12, 12:12 and 16:13, which correspond with times Event Viewer is showing further checks were made It is also showing that it has done checks when nothing needed updating as well. However, the File History timestamp still remains at 10:12 on File History despite these updates showing up on my backup.

Hopefully this extra information gives some more insight into File History issue. Please let me know.
Hendrix-V 19,470 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-15T08:12:04.3833333+00:00

Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for the update and for checking the logs. Based on what you've shared, File History appears to be performing its scheduled hourly checks, and the service is running correctly.

Given those results, there is currently no clear indication that backups are failing. The remaining behavior appears to be related to how File History is reporting backup status rather than the backup process itself.

As a precaution, I would still recommend periodically verifying that recent file changes are appearing in the backup location. This provides confirmation that your data continues to be protected while you monitor the situation.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-15T08:34:53.6033333+00:00

Hi Hendrix,

Thanks for your response.

Will the issue relating to File History not always updating the time stamp, as it should, be fixed?

As you suggest, I will keep monitoring the situation and can let you know if I notice anything else.
Heather Burridge 0 Reputation points

2026-08-15T19:47:05.69+00:00

Hello Hendrix again.

Following no change in the time stamp again, even though I can see in Restore personal files further back ups have been completed following changes to some documents this afternoon, I pressed Run Now and the timestamp completely disappeared. Noticing again, that the scheduled backups are showing in Event Viewer each hour, but the time stamp is still not always showing the updated back up and sometimes it is not showing the files last copied date at time at all. All I see is the Run now bit.

After checking the light on my back up drive had stopped blinking, and out of curiosity I clicked on Turn off and counted to around 12 seconds, then clicked on Turn on and suddenly a files last copied date and timestamp appeared.

Do you think Microsoft will be able to find a permanent fix to ensure File History reports backups properly like it used too? Maybe, just maybe what I am seeing and reporting will help towards this and it will be soon.
Hendrix-V 19,470 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-16T08:06:55.75+00:00

Hi Heather Burridge,

Thank you for continuing to monitor and document the behavior. The additional information is very useful.

At this point, I don't see evidence that your backups are failing. Instead, the behavior appears to be limited to the reporting side of File History, where the displayed timestamp occasionally disappears or does not reflect the latest backup activity even though newer versions of files are available.

Based on everything you've shared so far, the most encouraging sign is that the actual backup process appears to be functioning and your files continue to be protected.

Thank you for the time and effort you've put into investigating this.

Answer 2

I have spent several hours investigating this issue, including all the steps mentioned by Heather above. I ended up doing a “repair installation” of Windows (10 in my case), and File History started working. That is until the KB5122878 update was installed, which broke File History again.

I can confirm that uninstalling KB5122878 re-enabled File History on my system.

It’s important to note that even though File History stops working there is no reporting to the logs.

A quick web search confirmed that KB5122878 (windows 10) and KB5124008 (windows 11) are widely reported by users to break or disable the File History feature.

The fix is to uninstall the mentioned update and then pause updates to prevent it from being re-installed on reboot, however Windows is not letting me pause this update for some reason.

Unfortunately, I’ve had several issues with File History over the years, and file backup is far too important a task to leave to chance, so I have begun my search for an alternative backup solution. For those who might be interested, the open source project Kopia seems to be a good candidate.