File History stopped working after a recent update

Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points
2026-09-16T15:44:35.91+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup
Answer accepted by question author
ApexNáV 370 Reputation points
2026-09-16T16:23:13.99+00:00

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:

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

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-16T15:44:51.2966667+00:00

    If File History lets the backup location be selected and turned on, but immediately or repeatedly shows "Reconnect your drive" after a recent update, the supported steps in the available guidance are:

    1. In Control Panel > File History > Select drive, select the same backup drive again and save it.
      This can re-register the backup drive and refresh File History state.
    2. If that does not hold, rebuild the File History configuration:
      • Press Win + R, type services.msc
      • Find File History Service (fhsvc) and stop it
      • Delete: C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory
      • Re-enable File History and select the backup drive again
    3. Check File History logs for errors in Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > FileHistory-Engine.
    4. If the problem started immediately after a Windows update, current reports in the available guidance indicate a possible regression affecting File History after some recent updates. One reported workaround was uninstalling the specific security update that triggered the issue. This is a system change, so use caution and only do it if the timing clearly matches the update.
    5. If a third-party file system filter driver is installed and encryption is enabled on the backup drive, that is a documented cause of File History backup failure on Windows 8/8.1. In that specific case, Microsoft provided a hotfix for affected systems.

    Also, File History and the older Backup and Restore feature should not be used at the same time. If an active Windows Backup schedule exists, File History may not turn on until that backup schedule is deleted.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. DaveM121 935.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-16T16:19:43.8933333+00:00

    The September update (KB5124008) has been reported to have a few bugs, Microsoft released an out-of-band update (KB5129195) to resolve most of the bugs in that update, however, they indicate they are still investigating the File History bug and they will provide a fix as soon as possible in a future update, you just need to wait for them to release the patch and File History will then start working again.

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    10+ people found this answer helpful.
  3. Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points
    2026-09-16T16:59:06.5033333+00:00

    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.

    :-(

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
  4. Carolyn Kay 45 Reputation points
    2026-09-16T17:00:39.4666667+00:00

    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.

    :-(

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