How to Change File History Drive In Windows 10? Stepwise Guide

What is File History (Drive) in Windows?

"File History" is a built-in backup feature in "Windows 10 & 11"that automatically saves versions of your files (documents, photos, videos, etc.) to an external or network drive. Unlike traditional backups, it keeps "multiple versions"of files, allowing you to restore previous copies if needed.

Key Features of File History:

✅ Automatic Backups – Regularly saves file changes.

✅ Version History – Recovers older file versions (like Time Machine on macOS).

✅Customize Backup –Allows to add specific folder to backup or exclude them from backup (e.g., Documents, Desktop).

✅ Drive Flexibility – Switches drives anytime without losing data.

A "File History drive" is the "storage location" (external HDD, SSD, USB, or network drive) where Windows saves your backups. Sometimes, it might be necessary to change File History drive. Next we will explain possible reasons and how to change drive in Windows File History backup.

When Need to Change File History Drive?

You may need to switch your File History drive in Windows 10/11 in the following situations:

1. Running Out of Storage Space

When the current backup drive is full, File History stops working. Switching to a larger drive ensures continuous backups.

2. Drive Failure or Errors

If the backup drive is corrupted or not detected, replacing it with a new drive prevents data loss.

3. Upgrading to a Faster Drive (SSD/NVMe)

Moving from an HDD to an SSD improves backup speed and system performance.

4. Switching to a Different Backup Location

Changing from an external drive to a network drive (NAS/server) offers centralized storage access.

How to Change File HistoryDrive Windows 10/ Windows 11?

To change File History Drive in Windows computer, there are 2 different methods you can try. Check them out and choose one you prefer.

Method 1. Change File History Drive via Windows Setting

This is the most common way to switch your File History backup drive in Windows 10/11. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth transition.

1. Open File History settings

Press Win + S, type "File History", and select "Backup settings" from the results. Alternatively, go to Settings > Update & Security > Files Backup.

2. Stop Using the Current Drive

Click "More Options" under the "Back up using File History". Then in next window, scroll down and click on "Stop using drive button" under "Back up to a different drive".

3. Re-select a Different Drive

Then return to the previous screen. Click "Add a drive" button to select another drive. It will search your entire system for all available drives including network location. Choose one from the list.

Method 2. Switch File History Drive via Control Panel

For users who prefer the traditional Windows Control Panel, this method provides an alternative way to change your File History backup drive in Windows 10/11.

1. Open File History in Control Panel

Press "Win + R", type "control", and press "Enter" to open Control Panel. Then click "Save backup copies of your files with File History".

2 Turn off the Current Backup

In File History window, stop the current backup temporarily by clicking on "Turn off" button.

3. Select a New Drive

Now click "Select drive" in the left panel. Choose from the available options. For network backups, click "Add network location" and enter the path.

4. Confirm and Apply Changes

Click "OK" to save the new drive selection. If prompted, decide whether to "copy existing backups" from the old drive to the new one.

If File History was paused, click "Turn on" to activate backups on the new drive.

Bonus Tip: Restore Files from File History Drive

When you need to recover lost files or previous versions of files, Windows File History makes the process simple. Follow these steps to restore your data efficiently.

1. Restore from File History RestoreControl Panel

• Press "Win + S", type "Restore your files with File History", and select the matching result.

• Navigate through backup versions using the "arrow buttons"(◀ ▶) to find the desired date.

• Select files/folders, or use "Ctrl + Click" to choose multiple items.
• Click the "green restore button" to return files to their original paths.

• Or right-click the green button> "Restore to" > Choose a new folder.

2. Restore from Windows File Explore

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that used to contain the file or folder
• Right-click on the folder name, and then select "Properties".

• In the next window, access to the "Previous Versions" tab, which lists the available previous versions of the file or folder. Choose the desired one and click "Restore".

Wrap Up

File History is a powerful built-in Windows backup tool that automatically preserves multiple versions of your important files, allowing you to recover lost or previous versions when needed. Whether you're switching to a larger drive, upgrading to faster storage, or moving to a network backup location, you can learn how to change File History drive in this article.

If the File History drive switch is not smooth, or the backup fails, don't worry - you still have reliable options for recovering your important files. For comprehensive data recovery across Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and even Server systems, we recommend using professional data recovery freeware like MyRecover. This powerful tool can help retrieve lost files when File History isn't working as expected.