Use existing File History backup with new W10 install

McGraw · 29 Jun 2016 at 21:16

If I reinstall Windows 10 on my C drive, how do I point Windows 10 back to my existing backup which contains the important stuff (my D drive contents)?

Whenever I've reinstalled in the past it seems to want to start a fresh backup and I won't have access to my off site backup for a while (would have to delete existing backup to make room).

Thanks.

zola25 · 30 Jun 2016 at 16:48

I moved my FH backups from Win 8.1 to 10 without any issue. The trick is to make sure the disks are laid out and named the same, and that the PC is named the same as before.

Once your data is back in place set up any custom libraries as they were before.

Edit: As you're reinstalling Win 10 you can just use an in place upgrade, but I'm not sure what would happen if you elect not to keep files and settings.

McGraw · 30 Jun 2016 at 22:12

Thanks.

I just want to be able to do a clean install.

zola25 · 1 Jul 2016 at 19:21

That has worked for me (clean install) with 8.1 and File history, again I kept the machine name, paths and libraries the same before plugging the drive back in.