Forum Discussion
File History has stopped functioning
My file history program has stopped functioning. I tried searching the internet for some of these error messages and I have not found anything that has a solution that works. I tried deleting the backup on my backup drive, and also deleting the file history data/configuration folders so it would "start fresh" and I still keep getting errors.
Here are some of the errors:
Also have gotten a bunch of different errors for "reparse points". This is one example. I tried to exclude some of these folders from the backup but it didn't seem to help. But how do I find and eliminate a "reparse point" so it doesn't cause the file history to fail? And why doesn't file history just ignore those folders and go on and back up everything else?
23 Replies
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/
Even after updating KB5121003, the archive history wasn't fixed. Has Microsoft taken this issue seriously?
Hello, I'd like to ask if there's been any issues with the file history feature in Windows 10 or Windows 11 after the recent update?
I've encountered this problem on two different computers:
Windows 11 25H2 — KB5101684, installed July 29, 2026
Windows 10 22H2 — KB5120249, installed August 12, 2026
Backup files are still being written to my D drive, so the backup process itself seems to be running. However, the file history doesn't correctly reflect the latest backup status, and "Previous Versions" doesn't show the file versions of newer backups.
I didn't make any changes before installing KB5101684 or KB5120249. The problem only appears after installing these updates.
Interestingly, I found that reselecting the backup drive temporarily restored normal functionality: Control Panel → File History → Select Drive → Select D: drive again
Afterward, the file history resumed updating normally.
Since I encountered almost the same problem on two different systems after two updates, I'm wondering if this is related to a common Windows component or a recent regression.
I've submitted a report through the Feedback Hub but haven't received a response yet.
If you've also encountered a similar situation, especially after installing the aforementioned updates, please share your experience or write to Windows Latest. It would be even better if Microsoft could determine whether these updates affected the file history functionality.
So, I was never able to fix this. But I did exclude two folders in which error messages were always occurring. And it ran once I excluded the folders.
BUT.... I tried it today, and now there is a completely different problem. it is not launching the backup. When I plug it in the PC recognizes that drive is plugged in, and the "run now" link appears, but clicking on it does nothing......
Mine is showing the same symptoms. The last file date I see on the external drive in the archive history is July 28, 2026, and KB5101684 was updated on July 29, so it's clearly related to KB5101684. It's still staging files on the C drive, and I've wasted too much time trying to fix this. I hope the next cumulative update will fix it; it's excessive that Microsoft refuses to admit its mistakes.
File History has recently stopped working for me. I have tried numerous fixes, including those mentioned by several of the other contributors. Nothing worked. This is very frustrating.
Try this Senior:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/file-history-has-stopped-functioning/4510472/replies/4543231
Same symptoms. The last files I see on my external drive under File History are from 7/14/26, so it's pretty obvious that it's related to KB5101650 or KB5100998. It is still staging files on C:, and I've wasted enough time trying to fix this. I'm hoping the next cumulative addresses it.
My situation is slightly different from yours; the anomaly only appeared after I updated KB5101684.
Same problem - my last update was 7/29/2026. Drive is readable by file explorer so it doesn't appear to be a connection problem
File History Fixed! - Sort of...
Windows Account: Using Local Account
OneDrive: Disabled and all folders deleted
Backup Hard Drives: WD My Passport Ultra (3 TB, USB) or USB thumb drives
So I've had this problem recently, I don't know when it actually started because I haven't used it lately, but the symptoms are the same as the above posts. File History seemed to work but no files saved in the Data folder. I've spent 2 days trying every fix I can find and I finally got it to work by uninstalling Microsoft KB101650 Security Update. I guess I could try re-installing it, but I hate to take a chance on it. Good Luck to All!
Update: After opening Windows Update these 2 Security updates were there to be installed:
KB101650 and KB100998
I saw no way to opt-out of either of these as Windows Update said they would be installed in the next restart, so I went ahead with the restart and installed them. File History did work OK after the install. So, was there something wrong with KB101650 or was it just a bad install? I'm sure I'll never know.
Update: Problem came back when I tried to switch to a different drive for the Backup. I un-installed KB101650 again which has fixed the problem for now. I've delayed any Windows Updates so that it does not get re-installed. If this problem keeps coming back then I'll just use some other backup method of which there are many to choose from.
Me too
