Windows 8 File History Restoring Multiple Copies

[jameslecomte]

I just purchased a new PC and have a problem with File History restoring multiple copies of files. I am using the same external hard drive I used with my old computer. I copied the files I needed from File History back to the hard drive of my new computer. I then turned file history on to have a backup with my new computer. I turned File History on and let it run overnight. In the morning I went to check on its progress and I had 3 copies (Copy, Copy(2), and Copy(3)) of my desktop files on the desktop. When I tried to delete them I got an error message that they could not be moved into the recycle bin because the disk was full. When I went to bed I was using about 200GB on my 1TB internal drive. When I checked it in the morning I had 0Bytes free. I never told File History to restore any files, but it had restored multiple copies of my old computer files and filled the hard disk to capacity. Once I realized what the problem was I turned File History off and deleted the copies. I turned File History back on. After a short time it started restoring multiple copies of my files again. I currently have File History turned off and I am using Memeo for my backups. I would prefer to use File History since it creates Restore Points along with backing up files. Any ideas on how to fix File History will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're encountering an issue with File History on your new PC, where it's restoring multiple copies of files and filling up your hard drive. This could be due to various reasons, such as incorrect settings or conflicts with existing file versions. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this problem:

Steps to Fix File History Issue:​

1. Clear File History Configuration:
   • Start by resetting File History to its default settings. This will clear all existing settings and backup files.
   []Delete Existing File History Backups:
   • Manually delete all existing backups on your external hard drive to ensure a fresh start.
   []Check File History Settings:
   • Review the File History settings to ensure that it's configured to back up the correct folders and not creating unnecessary copies.
   []Verify External Drive Space:
   • Check the storage space available on your external hard drive to ensure that it has enough capacity for File History backups.
   []Exclude Desktop Folder from File History:
   • Consider excluding the Desktop folder from the File History backup to prevent duplication.
   []Monitor Backup Progress:
   • Keep an eye on the backup progress and check for any unusual behavior like excessive file copies.
   []Update Windows:
   • Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date with the latest updates and patches to fix any known issues with File History.
   []Run Disk Cleanup:
   • Use the Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files and free up disk space on your internal drive.
   []Retry File History:
   • After following these steps, turn File History back on and monitor its behavior to see if the issue persists.

     Using Restore Points:​

     File History creates restore points along with backing up files. If you prefer using File History for this feature, ensure that the restore points are functioning correctly after resolving the file duplication issue. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the File History problem on your new PC. If the issue persists, you may need to further investigate settings and potential conflicts to ensure smooth and efficient backup operations.