Monitoring File History / backups in Windows 8.1

Hi,
By tracking some events I was able to monitor Windows 7 Backups. By means of of schedule task triggered by the events belows.
Image Backup successful : Event log : Microsoft/Windows/Backup/Operational. Source : Backup. Event ID : 14.
Profile Backup successful : Event Log : Application. Source : Windows Backup. Event ID 4098
(BTW, the Microsoft/Windows/Backup/Operational log not holding all backup logging is a bit disappointing, to say the least.)
How can I monitor Windows 8 "File history" ?
I we keep the default "every hour" File History, the best approach is perhaps to track failures instead of success. Also because I haven't seen any event logged for a successful backup into the log : Microsoft/Windows/FileHistory-Engine/File history
backup log/Operational.
When I disconnect the backup device I get and Event ID 203 in there, though.
What are other event IDs related to a backup failure ?
Is there a configurable Action Center notification on backup failure ?

Hi,
Log files related to File History can be found in Applications and Service Logs -> Microsoft -> Windows. We found following two interesting event files:
WHC under FileHistory-Core
File History Backup Log under FileHistory-Engine
The entries of Information level in WHC appears whenever File History runs, stops, turns off or on. On the other hand, File History Backup Log records warnings or error messages, for instance, file was not backed up due to xyz error, unusual
condition was encountered during finalization of a backup cycle for configuration, unable to scan user libraries for changes and perform backup of modified files for configuration.
For more information about file history, you can refer to this link:
Windows 8 File History Analysis
http://articles.forensicfocus.com/2013/11/24/2869/
Hope these could be helpful.
Kate Li
TechNet Community Support

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Windows 8.1 file history - Restore to fresh install

Hi Everyone
I'm trying to understand the benefits of file history. As Windows 8.1 doesn't allow me to create a system image on a schedule anymore, I now have to resort to file history.
Hypothetical Scenario: OS hard disk catches fire, melts down and is not repairable. The good news! I enabled file history of everything I wanted to "save".
How does one import that "history" back into a fresh install on a new disk? Normally on windows 7, an image could just be written back and presto! the job is done
Does that make sense?
Any help would be appreciated. If this isn't entirely possible, I'll end up tossing my OS disk(SSD into a raid 1)

Hi,
Since Windows 8.1 took away the scheduling feature in System image backup, so as Henrik_Dahl mentioned in the previous reply, we can manually create a scheduled task.
Here're two reference links
Use Scheduled Tasks to Run PowerShell Commands on Windows
http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2011/01/12/use-scheduled-tasks-to-run-powershell-commands-on-windows.aspx
How to schedule a Windows 8.1 System Image backup (step-by-step)
http://pureinfotech.com/2013/10/24/schedule-windows-81-system-image-backup/
"What happens if I restore an image and it finds that the file history on another drive is newer?"
I think either the file history is restored to a previous state or some parts of the file history is useless.
NOTE
This response contains a reference to a third party World Wide Web site. Microsoft is providing
this information as a convenience to you. Microsoft does not control these sites and has not tested any software or information
found on these sites.
Yolanda Zhu
TechNet Community Support

Activate File History in windows 8.1 with Powershell

Hey :)
I just wondered if there is any way to activate File History in Windows 8.1 with Powershell?
I want to make a script where File History get activated automaticly, and since I want to do this on a lot of computers I want to use powershell.

Hi,
Looks like you can just adjust a registry value to enable/disable this feature:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7706-file-history-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html
EDIT: Since you want to do this on multiple machines, I'd suggest using GP to set this value.
Don't retire TechNet! -
(Don't give up yet - 13,225+ strong and growing)

File history not working

file history doesn't seem to be working at all on my pc. I set it and told it to run than looked at where I had set it to save to, Empty. no matter how many times I run it. On my friends system it work, but intermittently.
Tried updating to 8.1 but problem still persists, and I have nothing saved to skydrive, turned off NIS. Any clues?

Hi,
You can try to open File History event logs to view recent events or errors from advanced settings to troubleshoot the issue.
Where did you try to save the backup files? if you select save to a drive on a network, when the network drive disconnects, then all the backup files are in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory.
When the network drive online again, the backup files will automatically transfer to this network drive. Please check System->File History-> Advanced settings and check the cache file size.
Please make sure the size is large enough to cache your backup file when the network drive is offline.
In addition, I would like to share the link below with you to check the issue:
What if something goes wrong in File History?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows-8/what-something-goes-wrong-file-history
Meanwhile, I would like to suggest you post to Windows 8.1 forum for more insights. Meanwhile, please attach the event log there. So that professional there will help you better and more efficient.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=w8itpro
Hope it helps.
Regards,
Blair Deng
Blair Deng
TechNet Community Support

Anyone know if the long standing duplicate files problem with File History has been fixed yet?

There are loads of public threads about the duplicate files problem
with Windows 8/8.1 File History backup system.
From all the threads I've looked at, there seems to be no solution,
and no acknowledgement from MS that they can even repro the problem
(which surprises me considerably as there are so many people who
notice the problem).
Is anyone aware of whether MS (may) have fixed this for Win10?
Are MS aware of the problem and if they're able to fix it?
Dave - with many GB of duplicated files in File History :)

Hmm, is that the attitude MS would recommend? :)
Why would I care what Microsoft would recommend?
Clearly you don't, and you appear to have missed my smiley. Calm down
Noel, many of us are as annoyed by aspects of modern Windows as you
are. :)
I'm all about making Windows actually WORK/./
Aren't we all? Windows is software I use too many hours every day, I
along with many millions of others need it to work really well. You
are not alone.
When they implement something that doesn't work, and even if it did work doesn't do what's needed - and/beyond that/ they remove features people DO need (such as the GUI for Windows Backup), I see no wrong in advising people of the way things
really are.
File History essentially does work - it's saved me a couple of times
in the past couple of weeks. It just has a highly annoying habit of
creating 100% duplicates of some files for no apparent reason. If MS
have fixed that I won't have any known complaints about it.
If you don't like it, you don't have to use it. I generally like it, I
just want to see that its fixed.
Dave

"File History" won't open/start for domain user profile/account

I'm trying to use the File History feature in Windows 8.1 to create backups. When I click "File History" from the control panel, nothing happens. No new window opens, it just stays at the Control Page.
I've tried manually going to "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\File History".
All works fine with local Administrative user profile.
Why does File History not start/open/run for the domain user account that is in the Administrators Group?

Hi,
Base on my lab machine (Windows Server 2008 R2 DC, Windows 8.1 client). either domain admin user or domain standard user, they all work fine.
What's your environment? Did this issue occur on all domain user or specific one?
In some cases, File History may conflict with the enterprise policies (like retention policy). I suggest you contact your IT admin to see if there is some other policy to limit this.
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected]

"File History" won't open/start

I'm trying to use the new File History feature in Windows 8 to create backups. When I click "File History" from the control panel, nothing happens. No new window opens, it just stays at the Control Page.
I've tried manually going to "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\File History". I've also tried searching File History, then clicking "Save backup copies of your files with File History". Same thing - nothing happens.
Win 8 Pro x64
Edit:
I've also tried in the Action Center, under Maintenance, "File History is Off. Turn On." Clicking "Turn On" does nothing.

I would like to verify if other items under Control Panel work?
Please test the issue in clean boot first. Then try
system file checker to repair the corrupted system files.
Niki Han
TechNet Community Support

File history is not backing up music files not on C: drive

When I open the music library in file explorer, My music files which are on a removable drive (not the back up drive) are listed. However, These files are not being backed up.

Hi,
Where is the File History backup location? Is it on the USB drive? Have you tried to move these music to local drive ? or move other type file into USB drive then join into music library for test?
Roger Lu
TechNet Community Support

How to backup only users' relevant files from File History on Windows 8.1?

Hi,
I would like to find out how to backup certain user's files from File History on Windows 8.1?
I'm planning to store the backup files on our server, over a shared network, so that client can retrieve them whenever they need.
I manage to do one by excluding all the folders from c:\, but it occurs quite silly to me to go select one by one files to exclude them.
Please advise if there is a better way?

Hi,
This IT Professional forum is for general questions, feedback, or anything else related to Office 2010, since your question is more related to Windows client, I'd recommend you post a new question in the following forum for further assistance:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/home?category=w7itpro%2Cw8itpro%2Cwindowsvistaitpro%2Cwindowsxpitpro%2Cwindowsintune
The reason why we recommend posting appropriately is you will get the most
qualified pool
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TechNet Community Support
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Can I use an optical drive as a backup drive for File History?

I wish to use a DVD drive as a backup...win now calls it file history... drive. The flash drives and HDs show up an an option but not the external or internal optical drives. Can they be used?
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Which OS are you referring to?
An external drive, network or Cloud drive are seen the best options. DVD drives are not seen as viable options. Read this microsoft document about setting up a drive for file history.
****Please click on Accept As Solution if a suggestion solves your problem. It helps others facing the same problem to find a solution easily****
2015 Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience Consumer

Windows 8.1 File History is completely unreliable and not fit for purpose!

I bought a new computer last week with Windows 8.1 installed and turned on File History. I've been pulling my hair out ever since trying to get it to work properly to no avail.
There are two inherent problems in File Checker which seem to have went unresolved for over two years now according to numerous posts all over the internet. Some files are not being backed up at all, and some files which have not been changed are being
duplicated. From searching the internet, it seems this has been an ongoing issue since Windows 8 was rolled out and it has still not been resolved by Microsoft.
I've tried all of the suggestions I've found such as running system file checker, deleting the File History folder and corresponding configuration files and running File History again from scratch, turning off Homegroups, but it makes no difference whatsoever.
Still I'm finding media, pdf and word files that are either being omitted or duplicated unnecessarily during backup and it appears to be completely random.
Until Microsoft resolve this major and widespread issue, File History cannot be relied upon to back up user files. Users need to know that when disaster strikes and they go looking for a file in File History that it's going to be there. Since
Windows 8 was rolled out, this appears not to be the case.
Microsoft, will you please fix this because the idea behind File History is excellent - if only it would work properly!!

Hi Htimsc,
I can understand that you feel upset since this feature doesn't work fine on your computer. I have used this feature for a while to backup my files, and haven't encounter such issue. My OS is Windows 8.1 enterprise.
As I known, the issue on this feature can be caused by following factors:
Not scheduled properly.
Clear up the history so frequently or the free spaces leaves before deleting files isn't set properly.
Disk error you backup files on
If you got network drive used to backup file history, the unstable network connection can be the caused.
corrupted system files
So we have to determine the root cause of your issue and feedback.
First, File History only protects user libraries, desktop, favorites and contacts. Other files, such as operating system files, applications, and settings, are not backed up. Make sure that the non-backup files are not in this scope.
Another thing is that File History only protects file stored on a local drive.
•If you use offline folders and folder redirection, your folders (like My Documents or My Pictures) are redirected to a network share and will not be protected.
•If you add a network location to any of your libraries, this location will not be protected.
Make sure that all settings a properly and the files were not excluded during set up.
Since the released updates every month will fix some known issue from feedbacks, please make sure that your computer is up to date.
Article for your reference:
Protecting user files with File History
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/10/protecting-user-files-with-file-history.aspx
Kate Li
TechNet Community Support

Can't restore Windows 7 file backup in Windows 8.1

Hi There,
This seems to be quite a stupid issue to have but here we go... before installing Windows 8.1 onto my laptop I took a backup of my user files using the Windows 7 backup tool which created me an array of zip files, with a catlog file and a MediaID.bin...
all normal.
I then performed a fresh install of Windows 8.1, deleting the existing Windows 7 partitions.
Having completed the install I'm finding it impossible to restore my Windows 7 backup... I can't even find a function which allows me to browse to a backup location to try and restore!?
The Windows 7 File Recovery tool isn't there any more, and for all intents and purposes "Recovery" doesn't seem to do anything useful... I don't want to restore a system image, just some files.
Can anyone help with my probable stupidity?? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious.

Well I'm extracting the new backup set and guess what WinRAR 5.01 took care of the long filename problem, with a full video shortly. The long filenames was windowsold. The metro apps have very long names.
To all admins/MS employees after watching the next video, I'm asking for shadow
Darkken to stop repeatedly telling us this does not work when in fact this does.
You really can't read.
Long filenames aren't the issue here. They never were, and I pointed that out several times.
Large files that get split across the set are the problem. As in some files are being split into multiple smaller files pieces that simply extracting and overwriting each other doesn't work.
Seriously, I give up. You simply do not hear people, you're too concerned with phantom issues that no one but you has brought up, and you don't take the time to actually pay any attention to what people are saying.
The article YOU posted even mentions these files, and advises people to ruin them and make them useless.
My problem was long filenames, anyways I have fully extracted and completed the backup set using winzip. For larger files I use this method.
http://www.pcandtablet.com/windows-8-1-system-backup-and-restore/1552/how-to-use-windows-7-file-recovery-in-windows-8-1-a.html
Re: How to use Windows 7 file recovery in windows 8.1?
Windows 8.1 no longer has Windows Backup, because it has been replaced by the File History feature. In Windows 8, you could still access the Windows 7 backup/restore utilities, but these have been removed in Windows 8.1.
When you create a backup using Windows Backup, you should use the Restore Files wizard to restore the files. If you can't use the Restore Files wizard (for example, when you're using a computer that’s not running Windows Vista or Windows 7), you can manually
extract files from a backup by following these steps:
1. Open the location where your backup is saved.
The files in your backup are saved as zip files.
Right-click the backup file (a file with the Windows Backup icon and the name of your computer), and then click Open.
To manually extract files that are larger than 200 MBs
If a file is larger than 200 MBs, it will be split into multiple zip files. You will need to extract and then combine these files following these steps:
1. Open the location where your backup is saved.
Find the zip files that contain the file you want to extract. For example, if you're trying to extract a video file named BirthdayParty, you would find the zip files that contain files with that name.
Create a folder on your desktop to extract the files to.
Since the files all have the same name, you'll need to rename them as you extract them.
Extract the first file into the folder you created on your desktop and then rename the file.
Repeat this step until you have extracted all of the files, making sure that you name them similarly. For example, if you have four files for the BirthdayParty video, name them BirthdayParty1, BirthdayParty2, BirthdayParty3, and BirthdayParty4.
Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, click Command Prompt.
Type the following command: copy /b filename*.file_extension new_filename.file_extension
For example, copy /b BirthdayParty*.avi BirthdayPartyAll.avi
WINZIP OR WINRAR WILL WORK FOR YOU, IF NEEDED TO BE. VHD FILE WILL WORK FOR YOU IF YOU CREATED THE IMAGE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM RESTOREING 10 GIG ISO SPLIT INTO 5 FILES. I HAVE EVERY IMPORTANT FILE I
HAD IN WINDOWS 7 NOW TO USE WITH WIN8.1
Stop telling people this does not work. IT does. I do suggest anyone getting ready to install windows 8.1 to make a VHD file. You'll have less work to do. This method is for emergencys only.As the person
asking the question asked. I supplied the answer for him/her to get the files back

How to restore files from a backup in windows 8.1

Hello
I did a Factory Image reset recently on my Windows 8.1 PC. I did a backup to an external drive of all my personal files before I did the Factory Image reset.
This backup is listed on the external hard drive as: "Backup files 2014-07-06"
THe properties of this is 322 GB -   765 files   - 17 folders.
THis cannot be all my files UNLESS they were compressed.
The reason i say this is that also on my extrenal hard drive is "Filehistory"
THe properties on FileHistory are: 1.45 TB   - 59,580 files - 765 folders.
I need to restore these files back to my C: drive
I am not confident that the Filehistory has all my files, BUT, since the Backup files 2014-07-06 is so much smaller
than my Filehistory , I do not know what to think.
I have attempted to restore the files from the Backup files 2014-07-06 but get errors that I do not have security clearance. I am the only user on this PC.
I am not very confident that everything is contained on the "FileHistroy" , but I don't really know.
Does anyone have experience with "Backup files' and "Filehistory" that can help me?
thank you!

alrprairie wrote:
Hello
I did a Factory Image reset recently on my Windows 8.1 PC. I did a backup to an external drive of all my personal files before I did the Factory Image reset.
This backup is listed on the external hard drive as: "Backup files 2014-07-06"
THe properties of this is 322 GB -   765 files   - 17 folders.
THis cannot be all my files UNLESS they were compressed.
The reason i say this is that also on my extrenal hard drive is "Filehistory"
THe properties on FileHistory are: 1.45 TB   - 59,580 files - 765 folders.
I need to restore these files back to my C: drive
I am not confident that the Filehistory has all my files, BUT, since the Backup files 2014-07-06 is so much smaller
than my Filehistory , I do not know what to think.
I have attempted to restore the files from the Backup files 2014-07-06 but get errors that I do not have security clearance. I am the only user on this PC.
I am not very confident that everything is contained on the "FileHistroy" , but I don't really know.
Does anyone have experience with "Backup files' and "Filehistory" that can help me?
thank you!
Hello,
The backup file must have become inaccessible. I am not sure about the error message but it can because of virus infection in your PC that your files must have got damaged. If you are not able to restore backup file from File History, tehn you may try backup recvery software to recover data from it. Try this Windows backup recovery sofwtare - http://goo.gl/kYPP6J
It might help you.
Thanks.

Windows 8: how does file history work?

I have a LAN and this LAN I have a server (a common PC) with a folder that is shared to all the users of the LAN can save files in this folder. I would like to do a backup of this folder.
But I don't know how it works the file history. The backup is made only when the user has logged in his account? what happends if someone that don't have activate the file history save files in this folder? I want that the server detect the changes and does
the work, but I don't want that the server has always a user logged in to do the backup.
Also I now that if I want to backup a folder that is not standard, I have to add the folder to the library, and the library is of one user, so this makes me think that it's needed to be logged in the server to do the backup.
So my question is if with file history do this:
In the server, to have a shared folder in which all the users can save files.
The users add and delete files from this folders.
Every hour, the server has to do a new backup.
But I don't wan't thata user in the server has to be logged to do the bakup, because the server is an intermediate computer that normally does not be used by anyone. Only will be connected to allow access to the shared folder.
I can do that with file history? How?
Thanks.

For Windows 8 file system I'd ask them over here.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-files?sort=lastreplydate&dir=desc&tab=Threads&status=&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=All&tm=1393557582743
Regards, Dave Patrick ....
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Monitoring File History / backups in Windows 8.1

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