Windows 10 Backup No Usable Drives Found [Updated Issue Solved!]
"No Usable Drives Found" When Adding a Drive for Backup
File History is a backup feature in Windows 10 that creates automatic, incremental backups for files and data stored in the Desktop, specific folders, Contacts, Libraries, etc. It saves these files to different storage locations, including external hard drives, network locations, and other drives. This feature is separate from Backup and Restore (Windows 7), another backup feature in Windows 10. File History Windows 10 is designed to protect users' data by regularly backing up changes to their files, ensuring that important information is preserved in case of a system failure or other disaster.
- Internal drives
- Storage space
- External hard drives
- Network share
When using File History to backup data, you may encounter an issue where you can't find the list of drives, instead seeing an empty list of usable drives followed by the error message "No usable drives found." This error can occur due to various reasons, such as a malfunctioning drive, incorrect drive configuration, or issues with the File History service.
- To fix this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup, and toggle the switch to turn File History back on. This will allow your device to locate drives to backup data. If you're prompted to choose a drive, select the one you want to use for backups.
- The System Protection setting needs to be enabled in order for System Protection to work properly. If it's disabled, System Protection won't be able to detect any usable drives.
- The File History drive may not be connected correctly, which can cause issues with detecting usable drives, especially if File History is not set up properly.
The "no usable drives found" error can be frustrating, but there are possible solutions to try. If you're experiencing this issue, you can attempt any of the suggested fixes to see if they resolve the problem. Additionally, we recommend using an alternative tool to backup files on your computer and avoid backup errors in the future.
In addition, we pose a question about Windows File History, which raises the question of whether it can backup everything. To find the answer, you can read the next article.
Does Windows File History Backup Everything?
Before using Windows File History to back up your data, check if it can backup everything on your computer, as it may not be able to backup certain files or programs.
First Priority: Keep Backup Going in the Other Way
Backing up files on time is crucial to prevent data loss in case of computer damage, system failure, or malware attack. While File History is a good option for Windows 10 users, Qiling Backup software is a better alternative for a more reliable and efficient file backup solution.
This software tool helps you avoid common errors associated with File History backups, fixes possible errors, and allows you to back up important files, disks, partitions, and operating systems. It enables timely backup through scheduled Windows 11 automatic backup, Windows 10 incremental backup, and differential backups.
The software allows for multiple backups to various locations, including internal drives, NAS, Qiling cloud, and external drives, making the file backup process easy and seamless due to its intuitive user interface.
Advantages of Qiling Backup:
- 1. Enhanced backup efficiency.
- 2. It gives room for bootable backup and recovery.
- 3. Allows multi-path backup storage.
- 4. You can perform disk/partition cloning.
- 5. You can restore backup files anytime.
- 6. Allows you to protect your backups using a password.
If you need a better alternative to save your Windows 10 files, Qiling Backup is the answer. You can download and install the trial version of this software today to enjoy its amazing features, which are easy to use and won't leave you stuck on the way.
Step 1. To begin the backup process, click the File backup button.
Step 2. On the left-hand side of the screen, lists of both local and network files are shown, allowing you to expand the directory and choose the specific files to back up.
Step 3. Follow the guidance on the screen and choose the place where you want to store the back up.
Step 4. To set up a backup, ensure that the backup is encrypted and schedule it by clicking on "Options" in the "Backup Options" section. This will allow you to customize the backup settings to suit your needs.
You can also choose to start the backup at a specific time by clicking on "Options" in the "Backup Scheme" section.
Step 5. You can store your backup file on your computer, in Qiling's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage device (NAS).
Step 6. Qiling Backup allows customers to store backup copies of their files on a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.
To back up data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive and add Cloud Device, then fill in your account information.
Step 7. To start a backup, click on "Proceed" and the backup process will begin. Once the backup is complete, it will be displayed as a card on the left-hand side of the screen. You can right-click on the backup card to view more details and options for handling the backup job.
How to Fix No Usable Drive Found for Windows 10 Backup?
If you're experiencing the "no usable drives found" error on your Windows 10 PC, try restarting your computer, checking the disk management console for any issues, running the built-in Check Disk utility, updating your drivers, and checking for BIOS updates. You can also try running a System File Checker scan, booting in safe mode, or performing a System Restore to a previous point when the issue was not present. If none of these solutions work, you may need to consider reinstalling Windows 10 or seeking professional help.
- Fix 1. Turn on File History
- Fix 2. Disable and Enable System Protection
- Fix 3. Select Another Drive or Reconnect Your File History Drive
Fix 1. Turn on File History
The "no usable drives found" error can occur when File History is turned off, possibly unintentionally, or when the File History drive is manually deleted. To resolve this, you can turn on File History by following a series of steps.
Step 1. Open the Control Panel by typing "Control Panel" in the search bar.
Step 2. To save backup copies of your files with File History, click on "System and Security" and go to "Save backup copies of your files with File History".
Step 3. To resolve the issue, click on the "Turn on the button" option. This will help restart File History and allow it to function normally.
To confirm the changes took effect and File History is working, follow these steps: Check the File History settings in the Control Panel to ensure the external drive is selected as the backup location. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to back up.
Step 1. Navigate to File History drive and click on "Advanced settings".
Step 2. The Event logs section allows you to view recent events or errors by clicking "Open File History event logs".
Step 3. Next, you'll have a detailed view of the changes made on File History. This shows that it's now working well.
Fix 2. Disable and Enable System Protection
To ensure File History works properly, adjust the System Protection settings to ensure they're enabled. Sometimes, these settings may become disabled without your knowledge. To fix this, follow the steps below to disable and enable system protection.
Step 1. To open the Control Panel, navigate to the search bar on your device and type "Control Panel".
Step 2. Next, go to "System and Security"? >"System"> "System protection".
Step 3. Select the drive you want to disable/enable and click "Configure".
Step 4. To disable system protection, check the box next to "Disable system protection" and click "Apply". This will disable system protection.
Step 5. To enable System Protection, check the box for "Turn on system protection" and click "Apply".
To troubleshoot File History, first, ensure that the drives you want to back up are recognized by your computer. Check the File Explorer for the drives you want to back up, and ensure they are not being used by another program.
Fix 3. Select Another Drive or Reconnect Your File History Drive
If you're experiencing the "no usable drives found" error, you can try reconnecting File History or adding a drive to back up your data. To do this, follow these simple steps: 1. Reconnect File History, or 2.
Step 1. Connect the hard drive to your computer.
Step 2. Navigate to the left panel and click on "Select Drive".
Step 3. Under the “Select a File History drive” section, choose your original File History drive or a new one.
Step 4. Click "Next".
Step 5. To make a data backup on a network drive, click "Add network location".
With these steps, you have a high chance of solving the "no usable drives found" error.
Other File History Backup Not Working Issues and Solutions
Apart from the "no usable drives found" error, you may experience many other issues related to File History not working. In this section, we've thought it wise to share some of these issues and their possible solutions.
- Issue 1. File History Not Backing up All Files
- Issue 2. File History Not Opening Automatically/Stopped Working
Issue 1. File History Not Backing up All Files
To resolve the issue, try refreshing File History by turning it off for a while, then turning it on again. Alternatively, remove File History from your backup drives list and add it again. This should resolve the issue.
If the issue persists, check the Event logs in File History's Advanced settings for any errors. Also, verify that the "Keep saved versions" setting is set to "Forever".
Issue 2. File History Not Opening Automatically/Stopped Working
If File History is not backing up your files automatically or has stopped working, you can resolve the issue by following these steps.
- Step 1. Stop File History.
- Step 2. Navigate to the following path and delete configured files: C:\Users\AppData\Local]\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration
- Step 3. To restart File History, select the same backup drive that was initially chosen to save files, and File History may start working and automatically save files.
If File History isn't backing up all your files or working properly, you can try using Qiling Backup Free software as an alternative to save your files. This software can help resolve issues related to File History backups and offers unique backup features that you can try out for free.
FAQs about Windows 10 Backup No Usable Drives Found
If you're experiencing issues with Windows 10 backup not finding any usable drives, here's a possible solution: Ensure that the drive you're trying to back up to is not in use by another process or program. Also, check if the drive has enough free space to accommodate the backup.
1. Is Windows 10 Backup Still Supported?
Microsoft stopped maintaining the backup and restore feature, but it's still available on Windows 10 and can still be used, although its future is uncertain.
2. Why Is My PC Not Backing Up?
Your PC may fail to back up because of existing backup files in the selected drive, which can be resolved by deleting or moving the previous backup files to make space for a fresh backup.
3. How Do I Fix No Usable Drives Found?
To resolve the issue with File History, first confirm whether it's turned on or off. If it's off, turn it on. Also, check if system protection settings are enabled. If not, enable them. Additionally, try reconnecting File History or selecting a different disk for backup.
4. Why Is Windows 10 Backup Not Recognizing the External Drive?
If your external drive isn't recognized, it could be due to a faulty cable connection or USB port. Try plugging the drive into a different port, and if the issue is resolved, it means the previous port was the problem. If not, try using a different cable to connect the drive to your computer.
Conclusion
Fixing the "no usable drive found" issue for Windows 10 backup and File History backup is not difficult. To resolve this, you can either back up files on time to avoid data loss using Qiling Backup or enable File History, which will automatically back up your files to a designated drive. This will ensure that your important files are safely stored and can be recovered in case of data loss.
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