How to restore files from a Windows File History backup

Backup & Storage KB-194

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to restore files from a Windows File History backup. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Windows File History is a built-in backup feature that automatically saves copies of files in your Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, and Favourites folders. If you've accidentally deleted, modified, or lost a file, you can use File History to restore an earlier version from your connected backup drive. This guide walks you through the process step by step.

Before You Begin

To restore files from File History, you'll need:

A backup drive that contains your File History backups (typically an external USB drive or network location).
The drive must be connected to your computer.
You should know roughly which folder the lost file was located in.

If File History was never enabled or the backup drive is unavailable, you won't be able to restore files using this method. You may still have copies in your Recycle Bin or OneDrive.

Quick Fix: Restore a File or Folder

Connect your File History backup drive to your computer.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contained the file you want to restore.
Click the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.
Click History.
File History will open, showing your files at the top and a timeline of available backups on the right.
Use the arrows or the date dropdown to browse through previous versions.
Select the file or folder you wish to restore.
Click the green Restore button to place the file back in its original location.

To restore a file to a different location instead, right-click the Restore button and choose Restore to..., then select your preferred folder.

Detailed Instructions

Restoring Individual Files

Make sure your backup drive is plugged in and recognised by Windows.
Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Browse to the folder where the file was originally saved (for example, Documents, Pictures, or Desktop).
Click Home in the top ribbon.
Select History from the toolbar.
The File History window will open. The current contents of the folder appear in the middle pane.
On the right-hand side, use the arrow buttons or the date selector to move backwards through your backups.
When you find the version of the file you need, click on it to select it.
Click the green Restore button at the bottom of the window. The file will be copied back to its original location.

Restoring a file to its original location will overwrite the current version. If you want to keep the current version, restore the file to a different folder instead.

Browsing All Backed-Up Files

If you can't remember where a file was originally located, you can browse the entire File History backup directly:

Click the Start button and search for File History.
Open File History from the search results.
In the left-hand pane, click Restore personal files.
Use the search bar or browse through folders to locate the file you need.
Select the file and click the green Restore button.

Troubleshooting

The History Button Is Greyed Out

If the History button in File Explorer is unavailable, File History may not be enabled or the backup drive may not be connected. Verify the following:

Your backup drive is plugged in and showing in File Explorer.
File History is turned on. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup and confirm Automatically back up my files is switched on.
The folder you're trying to restore from is included in File History. By default, this includes Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, and Favourites.

The Backup Drive Isn't Recognised

If Windows doesn't detect your backup drive, try these steps:

Unplug the drive and reconnect it to a different USB port.
Try a different cable if you're using an external drive.
Open Disk Management (press Win + X and select Disk Management) to check whether the drive appears.
If the drive uses a network path, confirm you're connected to the same network.

No Backups Are Available

If File History opens but shows no previous versions, possible causes include:

The backup drive has been reformatted or replaced.
File History was only recently enabled and hasn't yet created a backup.
The folder you're browsing isn't covered by File History.

Files Restore to the Wrong Location

By default, File History restores files to their original location. If files appear in the wrong folder, use Restore to... from the History tab and manually choose the correct destination.

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Need More Help?

If you're unable to restore your files using the steps above, our support team can assist. Open a Ticket with details about your backup drive, when the files were lost, and what you've already tried.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

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