File History problems after installing KB5124008

Question

File History problems after installing KB5124008

BobH3027 120

Ran Windows Update on two sepearate Windows 11 computers that were all up to date as of Saturday morning - broke File History

Today I ran File History on 2 computers - both ran correctly. Then ran Windows Update and File History on both are now broken. File History panel pops up but will not run - says to connect a drive. (drive was connected and verified that I could read and write to it)

Reached out to support who logged on to one of the computers, but troubleshooting did not provide an answer. Later I connected a drive and configured File History on a 3rd computer - it was working. Then I ran Windows Update and it broke it.

Updated the case number and was told now by two seperate techs that it seems to be an issue with one of the updates and was passing it on to level 2 with the detailed testing notes I provided.

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Alan B 5 Reputation points

2026-09-09T08:30:26.7133333+00:00

I'm having the same issues trying to run my back up to file history on my external drive- failed, same error messages as you. Had to do a manual save to the drive. CHATGPT says likely that what you have highlighted is the problem and microsoft will pick up and solve soon.
La Ma 10 Reputation points

2026-09-10T03:41:21.8066667+00:00

I have just now encountered this same problem. I will try uninstalling the Security Update.
Ezio De Pazzi 141 Reputation points

2026-09-10T05:47:41.74+00:00

exactly what you are expericing.
dotlang 45 Reputation points

2026-09-16T16:04:04.0966667+00:00

.....
Sean Page 10 Reputation points

2026-09-17T17:46:07.8066667+00:00

Thank you so much for that information. Wish I had read it sooner. I installed a fresh Windows 10 onto a PC to give to my parents. After copying all their files and apps across, creating 2 accounts etc, I ran file history and Backup & Restore with no problems. Then (seemingly out of nowhere) file history threw this error, which doesn't even seem to be an error, just telling you that the drive isn't connected. Ended up reinstalling windows from scratch, after doing the sfc/dism/anything, even thinking that my backup drive was faulty, only to come into this same problem again, but only after installing updates. Process of elimination. Deduction, dear Watson. Currently restoring a system image and will not install patch updates afterward. To myself and my parents, having an integral file backup working is more important than a botched security fix. What annoys the most is spending so much time looking in the wrong places online for answers to this seemingly random problem, only for it to be an update bricking features. Just wish I'd seen this before doing a job twice 🤣
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-09-23T10:55:13.6733333+00:00

I installed KB5124010, and File History backup functionality has returned to normal. Backups can now be performed successfully.

However, the File History issue caused by KB5101684/KB5120249, installed on July 28, still persists.

After modifying or saving a file, I can click “Run now” in Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and the file is successfully copied to the backup drive. However, the “Last copy” date and time does not update to reflect the latest backup.

In addition, newly created or modified files still show “No previous versions available” under File Properties → Previous Versions, or the previous version does not show the correct latest date and time.

In other words, the backup itself appears to be working, but the File History record/index is not being updated correctly. This problem is still unresolved.
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-09-23T10:56:27.0433333+00:00

I installed KB5124010, and File History backup functionality has returned to normal. Backups can now be performed successfully.

However, the File History issue caused by KB5101684/KB5120249, installed on July 28, still persists.

After modifying or saving a file, I can click “Run now” in Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and the file is successfully copied to the backup drive. However, the “Last copy” date and time does not update to reflect the latest backup.

In addition, newly created or modified files still show “No previous versions available” under File Properties → Previous Versions, or the previous version does not show the correct latest date and time.

In other words, the backup itself appears to be working, but the File History record/index is not being updated correctly. This problem is still unresolved.

10 answers

Your answer

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Alan B 5 Reputation points

2026-09-09T08:30:26.7133333+00:00

I'm having the same issues trying to run my back up to file history on my external drive- failed, same error messages as you. Had to do a manual save to the drive. CHATGPT says likely that what you have highlighted is the problem and microsoft will pick up and solve soon.
La Ma 10 Reputation points

2026-09-10T03:41:21.8066667+00:00

I have just now encountered this same problem. I will try uninstalling the Security Update.
Ezio De Pazzi 141 Reputation points

2026-09-10T05:47:41.74+00:00

exactly what you are expericing.
dotlang 45 Reputation points

2026-09-16T16:04:04.0966667+00:00

.....
Sean Page 10 Reputation points

2026-09-17T17:46:07.8066667+00:00

Thank you so much for that information. Wish I had read it sooner. I installed a fresh Windows 10 onto a PC to give to my parents. After copying all their files and apps across, creating 2 accounts etc, I ran file history and Backup & Restore with no problems. Then (seemingly out of nowhere) file history threw this error, which doesn't even seem to be an error, just telling you that the drive isn't connected. Ended up reinstalling windows from scratch, after doing the sfc/dism/anything, even thinking that my backup drive was faulty, only to come into this same problem again, but only after installing updates. Process of elimination. Deduction, dear Watson. Currently restoring a system image and will not install patch updates afterward. To myself and my parents, having an integral file backup working is more important than a botched security fix. What annoys the most is spending so much time looking in the wrong places online for answers to this seemingly random problem, only for it to be an update bricking features. Just wish I'd seen this before doing a job twice 🤣
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-09-23T10:55:13.6733333+00:00

I installed KB5124010, and File History backup functionality has returned to normal. Backups can now be performed successfully.

However, the File History issue caused by KB5101684/KB5120249, installed on July 28, still persists.

After modifying or saving a file, I can click “Run now” in Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and the file is successfully copied to the backup drive. However, the “Last copy” date and time does not update to reflect the latest backup.

In addition, newly created or modified files still show “No previous versions available” under File Properties → Previous Versions, or the previous version does not show the correct latest date and time.

In other words, the backup itself appears to be working, but the File History record/index is not being updated correctly. This problem is still unresolved.
林宗昇 8,360 Reputation points

2026-09-23T10:56:27.0433333+00:00

I installed KB5124010, and File History backup functionality has returned to normal. Backups can now be performed successfully.

However, the File History issue caused by KB5101684/KB5120249, installed on July 28, still persists.

After modifying or saving a file, I can click “Run now” in Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and the file is successfully copied to the backup drive. However, the “Last copy” date and time does not update to reflect the latest backup.

In addition, newly created or modified files still show “No previous versions available” under File Properties → Previous Versions, or the previous version does not show the correct latest date and time.

In other words, the backup itself appears to be working, but the File History record/index is not being updated correctly. This problem is still unresolved.

Answer 1

dotlang 45

Thanks Mike_A_P!! I uninstalled KB5129195, then KB5124008 reappeared as you indicated in the uninstall list. I uninstalled it, and voila! my File History turned on and can run! So now my question is how do I deal with the fact that I removed two Windows updates??

0 comments

Answer 2

I installed KB5124010, and File History backup functionality has returned to normal. Backups can now be performed successfully.

However, the File History issue caused by KB5101684/KB5120249, installed on July 28, still persists.

After modifying or saving a file, I can click “Run now” in Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and the file is successfully copied to the backup drive. However, the “Last copy” date and time does not update to reflect the latest backup.

In addition, newly created or modified files still show “No previous versions available” under File Properties → Previous Versions, or the previous version does not show the correct latest date and time.

In other words, the backup itself appears to be working, but the File History record/index is not being updated correctly. This problem is still unresolved.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

CrazyKats 19,920 Volunteer Moderator

Hi All,

As of today 26200 is up to .9539.

Hope it fixes the issue for all of you.

BobH3027 120 Reputation points

2026-09-10T20:08:54.9266667+00:00

CrazyKats - Where can I download that to test? I went to teh Microsoft Update Catalog and searched on "KB5124008" - all I see is 23200.9445 - dated 9/8/2026

Thanks
CrazyKats 19,920 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-10T20:13:20.06+00:00

Hi Bob,

Apparently it's a gradual rollout

under Windows Update, so if you don't

see it right away give it a few days.
BobH3027 120 Reputation points

2026-09-10T20:16:06.15+00:00

CrazyKats - thanks - was hoping to be able to install it on one machine to test - guess I will have to wait until it just shows up and then fix all my machines if needed. Oh well.
Derek S 30 Reputation points

2026-09-30T09:33:26.17+00:00

Early this morning, my device received the Windows 11 26H2 update and is now running Build 26300.9547. Unfortunately, File History is still not functioning correctly and continues to display the "Reconnect your drive" message.

I've already tried reconnecting the drive and verifying that it is accessible, but the issue persists. Since KB5124010 originally brought 26H2 systems to Build 26300.9539 and I'm now on the newer Build 26300.9547, the problem does not appear to have been resolved for me by this update.

At this point, I may need to wait for the next Patch Tuesday release to see if a fix is included. If anyone else running Build 26300.9547 can confirm whether File History is working correctly on their system, it would be helpful to know if you're seeing the same behaviour.
Ezio De Pazzi 141 Reputation points

2026-09-30T10:36:23.6933333+00:00

@Derek S

Mine is 26300.9550, looks like it's working.
Mike_A_P 40 Reputation points

2026-09-30T12:44:54.22+00:00

Concur with Ezio De Pazzi - just updated to 26H2 26300.9550 via Windows Update (set to "get latest updates as soon as they are available" on stable release channel) and File History is working. Looks as though 26300.9457 is an Insider build issued about the same time as the 26100 and 26200 out-of-band updates on 14 September? These did not fix File History.
Bruin_71 15 Reputation points

2026-09-30T23:39:31.8433333+00:00

Concur with Mike_A_P and Ezio de Pazzi. When I updated to version 26H2 last night, that did not fix File History. But, following Mike's lead, I went with the Preview Update 26H2 26300.9550 today and it fixed the problem. (I usually skip the Preview Updates, but this one was definitely helpful.)

Answer 5

Carl-L 22,915 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Bob H,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Before we proceed, may I have a photo of the situation to check for you? Please remember to remove all personal information before posting.

Additionally, may I know if you can rollback the updates?

I'm waiting for your reply.

BobH3027 120 Reputation points

2026-09-09T13:43:43.57+00:00

Sure - here you go - tried it with two external USB drives and one internal drive, all which I have verified can be read and written to. Microsoft Tech support connected to computer and also verified drive was able to be written too as well as doing SFC and DISM commands. Then finally agreed that since File History was working be the updates (manually run prior to installing the updates) and is now not working after the updates on all three computers it is an issue with one or more of the three updates that were installed.

While that error message was being displayed I manually copied a file over to the backup drive and could also read it.

Rather than trying to blindly uninstall all three updates - what order would you suggest I try to uninstall them in?
Derek S 30 Reputation points

2026-09-10T08:34:38.77+00:00

Greetings all,
If I may just add a little more info from my perspective. I am unable to turn File History off! If I click 'Turn off' it still shows that 'File History is on", as in the photo supplied by BobHayes-3027. If I click 'Run now', that's when the message to "Reconnect your drive" appears. I am able to Stop the File History service by running services.msc, but when it is running again, nothing changes from my description above. While trying this last night, it did create the following folder structure on the backup drive: D:\File History<user_name><System_name> which contained two more sub -folders: 'Configuration' and 'Data'. In 'Configuration, there were two files: Config1.xml and Config2.xml but nothing in data. Again, it says it is turned on but if I click Run now, I get the 'reconnect drive' message.
In addition, Copilot is recommending NOT to uninstall KB5124008, with this being an important Security update, so I am reluctant to try that. Also, there is no option to stop using the currently selected drive or the option to select another drive.
Hopefully some of what I've said here may be of use in helping to diagnose this issue. I'm feeling vulnerable now with out File History running.