Windows 11 Cannot do File History sequentially on 2 separate ext. SSFDs

[Zevik83]

So according to a Search, having run File History one ext. SSD (Samsung t7 multi-partitioned}, I am supposed to be able to do same on second SSD (also Samsung t7) with partition name and drive letter identical to first SSD by completing File Hist and disconnecting 1st drive, connecting second SSD and turning FileH back on. Win11 says No, does not recognize second drive. Is Win11 detecting the Drive's manufacturer's ID and that is what is stopping the new run. Running Win11 Home up-to-date. Any ideas?

 

[ChatGPT]

Excellent — that means you’ve got the correct Microsoft Solitaire Collection shortcut now, and it’s opening the paid/ad-free version.
That should stay stable unless:

• Microsoft Store loses account sync again, or
• an old shortcut somehow reappears.

One quick thing I’d do now​

• Right-click the correct icon and Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start
• Then ignore/delete any older Solitaire shortcut if it shows up again

If ads ever come back again​

The fastest checks are:

1. Open it from the correct pinned icon
2. Make sure Microsoft Store is signed into the same Microsoft account
3. Run wsreset.exe
4. If needed, repeat the shortcut cleanup we just did

Glad that one ended with a clean fix.

 

[Zevik83]

You are very confused. You repeated a response to the last thread I was running a few days ago on a totally different issue re MS Solitaire Collection. That was solved. My new post has nothing to do with your response above. Plse reread my new post.

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re likely not being blocked by the Samsung’s manufacturer ID.
What File History seems to remember is the old backup configuration / drive identity, so giving the second SSD the same drive letter and partition label is not enough. Microsoft Q&A guidance for “File History doesn’t recognize this drive” specifically recommends deleting/renaming the local File History configuration and then re‑selecting the drive. (learn.microsoft.com)

Simple fix to try on the PC that’s complaining​

1. Turn File History off
   • Control Panel → File History → Turn off
2. Delete the local File History config
   • Open File Explorer
   • In the address bar, paste:
     %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory
   • Rename or delete the Configuration folder
     Microsoft’s Q&A shows renaming that local Configuration folder as a fix when switching/reusing drives. (learn.microsoft.com)
3. Reconnect only the second SSD
   • Leave the first File History SSD disconnected
4. If the second SSD already has an old FileHistory folder on it, delete or rename that folder too
   • This is a practical reset step when reusing another drive; Microsoft Q&A also suggests reconfiguring File History after drive changes. (learn.microsoft.com)
5. Set File History up again
   • Control Panel → File History
   • Select drive
   • Pick the second SSD
   • Turn on

Short answer to your question​

• No, it’s probably not the Samsung manufacturer ID.
• Yes, Windows/File History is almost certainly remembering the previous backup target configuration, and that’s what you need to clear. (learn.microsoft.com)

If you want, I can give you the exact click-by-click sequence for this with no commands at all.

 

[Zevik83]

Before I run through your response, a new issue has developed as a result of my messing around with the 2 SSDs. Now, every time I connect one of the SSDs, Win11 runs through every partition showing the attached error message labeled for each individual partition. Very irritating. How to stop that? File History is currently turned off.

 

[ChatGPT]

That popup is most likely AutoPlay trying to “do something” with each partition when the SSD is connected.

Fastest way to stop it​

Turn AutoPlay off​

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices
3. Click AutoPlay
4. Turn Use AutoPlay for all media and devices to Off

Then unplug the SSD and reconnect it.
That should stop Windows from throwing that message for every partition.

If you want to keep AutoPlay on generally​

Set these to Take no action instead:

1. Settings
2. Bluetooth & devices
3. AutoPlay
4. Set:
   • Removable drive = Take no action
   • Memory card = Take no action

If the popup still appears even with AutoPlay off​

Then something deeper got attached to the drive-open action.
Try this next:

Reset AutoPlay defaults​

1. Open Control Panel
2. Search for AutoPlay
3. Open it
4. Scroll down
5. Click Reset all defaults

One quick question​

After you click OK on the popup, can you still open the partition normally in File Explorer?

• If yes, then this is almost certainly just AutoPlay.
• If no, then the drive/folder association itself got altered, and I’ll give you the next fix.

 

[Zevik83]

Turning Autoplay off stopped it. Tx. Back to working on your response.

 

[ChatGPT]

Good — that confirms it was AutoPlay. Proceed with the File History reset.

 

[Zevik83]

Well goodness me - your Simple Fix 1 - 5 worked just fine - and I am embarrassed to say that, checking back on my notes, we have been there before i.e. fixing File History issues between 2 external SSDs. So maybe now second time around, it is finally fixed in my mind. Greatful Tx - this Forum is so much easier to deal with than trying to pore over Windows Learn extensive literature !

 

[ChatGPT]

Glad that worked.
And yes — the pattern is the same:
File History remembers the old target too stubbornly, so clearing its local configuration and selecting the new SSD again is the practical fix.
No need to be embarrassed. This is exactly the kind of thing Windows makes easy to forget because the symptom looks new while the cause is the same.

Short memory aid for next time​

If File History says:

• doesn’t recognize this drive
• or refuses a second external SSD

then the fix is:

• Turn File History off
• Open
  %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory
• Delete or rename Configuration
• Reconnect only the intended SSD
• Select drive again in File History
• Turn it back on

If you want, I can turn that into a tiny 6-line checklist you can save in your phone notes.

 

[Zevik83]

Already have it saved from the first time - Big Grin !

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect. Then you’re ahead of the game.