File History stopped working after a recent update

Question

File History stopped working after a recent update

Carolyn Kay 45

And now I can't get it to work. I've done all the things suggested, including creating a new directory on several drives and deleting the File History configuration on my computer. File History will let me select the new location, turn the application on, and run it, but it keeps telling me "Reconnect your drive."

This is SO frustrating.

Roger Peedle 0 Reputation points

2026-09-18T09:31:36.9666667+00:00

I tried a number of solutions to get File History to be able to recognise my external drive. The only one that worked was to uninstall the update kb5124008, and also turn off windows updated until Microsoft provide a solution. Removing the update for me was best achieved by going to the cmd prompt and deleting. (Exact line to type in after cmd prompt can be found by searching for ways to delete update
Philip Daniels 10 Reputation points

2026-09-28T01:42:49.88+00:00

Can't see KB5124008 - guess I'll have to wait by the garden gate with my Arabian drums.
Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-28T17:55:24.3866667+00:00

Philip: I had to force a search for updates.

Answer accepted by question author

ApexNáV 370

You will likely need to uninstall KB5124008 update to fix the issue that it causes. The KB5124008 update fixes a large number of vulnerabilities, including actively exploited zero‑days. Uninstalling it significantly reduces your security posture, so you should only uninstall it if File History (or other critical features) doesn't work and you need them. Here are the release notes: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/09/kb5124008-windows-11-24h2-25h2-security-update

In case you want to uninstall:

Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Uninstall KB5124008
Pause Windows Update so it doesn’t get reinstalled, and resume it later when Microsoft has fixed it in an upcoming update.

Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:04:05.4+00:00

I'll wait for an update, thanks. Meantime I'm using FreeFileSync. It always works.
ApexNáV 370 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:07:20.1266667+00:00

That's great. If you are satisfied with answer then you can accept it as answered.
Mark Lovell 30 Reputation points

2026-09-19T15:44:45.8366667+00:00

I will wait for the update, but I wonder if they'll fix the other issue with File History - I have been getting an "Element Not Found" error every time I try to do a clean-up. See the threads:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1338065/file-history-element-not-found#comment-2821272

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/answers/questions/5749316/file-history-element-not-found-error?comment=answer-12554043

7 additional answers

Your answer

Roger Peedle 0 Reputation points

2026-09-18T09:31:36.9666667+00:00

I tried a number of solutions to get File History to be able to recognise my external drive. The only one that worked was to uninstall the update kb5124008, and also turn off windows updated until Microsoft provide a solution. Removing the update for me was best achieved by going to the cmd prompt and deleting. (Exact line to type in after cmd prompt can be found by searching for ways to delete update
Philip Daniels 10 Reputation points

2026-09-28T01:42:49.88+00:00

Can't see KB5124008 - guess I'll have to wait by the garden gate with my Arabian drums.
Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-28T17:55:24.3866667+00:00

Philip: I had to force a search for updates.
Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:04:05.4+00:00

I'll wait for an update, thanks. Meantime I'm using FreeFileSync. It always works.
ApexNáV 370 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:07:20.1266667+00:00

That's great. If you are satisfied with answer then you can accept it as answered.
Mark Lovell 30 Reputation points

2026-09-19T15:44:45.8366667+00:00

I will wait for the update, but I wonder if they'll fix the other issue with File History - I have been getting an "Element Not Found" error every time I try to do a clean-up. See the threads:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1338065/file-history-element-not-found#comment-2821272

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/answers/questions/5749316/file-history-element-not-found-error?comment=answer-12554043

Answer 1

stefan jurovcik 20

U mňa ten istý problém.Mám Windows 11 Home verzia 25H2.Už mám dostupnú aktualizáciu vo Windows update na 26H2.Skúsim stiahnuť,nainštalovať a uvidím

0 comments

Answer 2

Peter LaBounty 0

File History started working for me again, after Update KB5124010.

The same thing had happened to me. I even uninstalled the update that caused the problem and still couldn't get File History to work.

File History took longer to run this time. I am assuming the longer runtime this morning was because it copied all the files I have marked, instead of just the files updated since the last time I was able to run File History successfully, before Update KB5124008.

0 comments

Answer 3

Sumit 44,436 Volunteer Moderator

Fixed with the Optional update released on 22nd September.

https://yourwindowsguide.com/2026/09/file-history-not-working-after-september-update.html

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/09/kb5124010-windows-11-24h2-25h2-update

[File History] This update addresses an issue where File History might fail to back up or restore files to an external drive or network location. Affected devices might incorrectly display a “Reconnect your drive” message even when a compatible backup drive is connected and working properly.

Mike_A_P 30 Reputation points

2026-09-22T19:26:26.2533333+00:00

Many thanks! Confirmed, working here after KB5124010 (26200.9550). File History reconnected to existing backup on external drive, has written a new incremental backup, and restore also checked and functioning.
Fahrizal - 5 Reputation points

2026-09-23T03:17:28.18+00:00

still broken on mine. it can bne turned ON now. but it does nothin when i click RUN NOW.

Tried to reselect drive still the same.
tried to restore personal files, error message :

any solution?
Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-23T16:25:54.1+00:00

Thanks, Mike. I had to force the update, but it worked.

Fahrizal, try checking for updates and select to download and install them all. That worked for me.
Sumit 44,436 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-24T03:15:17.63+00:00

@Fahrizal - this will need separate troubleshooting. Please start a new ticket.
LironL 5 Reputation points

2026-09-26T01:29:24.4966667+00:00

Still doesn't work for me either. when I click Run Now, it stops after a few seconds and nothing happened (i.e. no Files last saved message).

I got the same message in Restore your files with File History, as in your post, however, after uninstalling the September update (KB5124008) (and subsequent updates), running File History (it worked) and re-installing all the uninstalled updates, Restore your files with File History works. File History itself still doesn't work.

Another tip, after uninstalling updates, I found that File History didn't work until the drive was physically disconnected and reconnected. That's why I ended up uninstalling all the subsequent updates - I probably didn't have to do that.
Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points

2026-09-26T19:14:01.03+00:00

LironL - I had to futz around with it until I got it to work. On one computer I had to start over in a new backup file. With the other I tried a new backup file but had to go back to the original one. Go figure.

I hope they don't do this to us again.
Fahrizal - 5 Reputation points

2026-09-27T01:02:50.2166667+00:00

if i Use my 10 years old external mechanical drive Seagate Backup plus it refuse to run. The drive is still ok and no problem in s.m.a.r.t status. but when i change to my ssd 840 evo, it just works. i still can not figure it, why?but its working again. i did not uninstall any update, just let windows update it automatically. last update i receive on 24th sept 2026.

Answer 4

Carolyn Kay 45

I tried most of the suggestions in the AI answer, and they didn't work.

I'm guessing that I'll have to take DaveM121's suggestion and keep trying again every time there's an update.

:-(

DaveM121 935.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-16T17:01:40.3766667+00:00

Glad to help!