The error "File History doesn't recognize this drive" in Windows typically indicates that File History cannot use the selected drive for backups due to issues such as incorrect formatting, leftover data from previous backups, or permission problems.

When you see the error "File History doesn't recognize this drive" in Windows, it usually means that File History can’t use the selected drive to back up your files. This issue often comes down to a few common causes—like formatting problems, leftover data from previous backups, or permission issues.

Let’s go over how to fix it step by step.

1. Format the Drive Using NTFS (or ReFS)

File History requires the drive to be formatted with either NTFS or ReFS file system. If it's using FAT32 or exFAT, Windows won’t accept it.

• Plug in the drive
• Open This PC, right-click the drive, and select Format
• In the drop-down menu under “File system,” choose NTFS
• Click Start and wait for the process to finish

?? Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so make sure to back up anything important first.

If you're using an external hard drive or SSD, NTFS is the safest bet. For large storage pools or NAS devices, ReFS might be an option, but most users should stick with NTFS.

2. Clear Out Old File History Data

If the drive was used before for File History backups and something went wrong—or if you reformatted it—Windows might still have old metadata stored.

To reset it:

• Go to Settings > System > Storage
• Scroll down and click Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes
• Select the affected drive and click Properties
• Under the General tab, click Delete backup data
• Confirm when prompted

Alternatively, you can also try using Disk Management or DiskPart to clean the disk completely (this is more advanced and should be done carefully).

3. Check File History Settings and Permissions

Sometimes the drive itself is fine, but Windows isn’t allowing File History to access it properly.

Try these steps:

• Go to Control Panel > File History
• If it shows the drive as unavailable, click Select Drive on the left
• Remove the current drive if listed
• Let Windows rescan connected drives and pick the same one again

Also check permissions:

• Right-click the drive in File Explorer and go to Properties
• Go to the Security tab
• Make sure your user account has full control

If not, click Edit, select your account, check Full control, and apply changes.

4. Use a Different USB Port or Cable

This may sound minor, but sometimes connection issues cause Windows to misidentify or fail to fully recognize a drive.

Try:

• Plugging the drive into a different USB port
• Using a different cable (especially for external SSDs or NAS)
• Avoiding USB hubs—connect directly to the computer if possible

A loose or faulty connection can cause intermittent recognition issues, which might confuse File History even after everything else looks correct.

That’s basically how to resolve the "File History doesn't recognize this drive" error. Most of the time, reformatting the drive correctly or clearing out old backup data fixes it. Connectivity and permission issues are less common but worth checking if the main fixes don’t work.

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