Windows 10 backup didn't back up all files [2024 Solutions]

Have you ever encountered the issue of "Windows 10 backup didn't back up all source files" or being completely unable to back up? Actually, Backup and Restore and File History are two built-in backup programs on Windows computers. According to user feedback, both solutions have issues with Windows not backing up all files.

If you find yourself in the same situation, don't worry. This article will delve into the reasons for missing backup files and provide step-by-step solutions. Moreover, to avoid the hassle or if you don't want to try each solution one by one, we'll recommend an excellent alternative tool – Todo Backup, which can make the backup process much easier.

File History not backing up all files - How to fix it

File History was first introduced in a Windows 8 build and is also available in Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. It features an automatic backup of files, including document files, photos, videos, music, and desktop files, to an external hard drive or network location.

File History might not back up all your files for one of these reasons:

• The source file is damaged or missing; • The file name contains special characters; • The file is located in a deep folder structure; • The file is encrypted and protected; • There's an error with the File History application; • Insufficient storage space on the backup destination.

We have offered some remedies for these causes, in the hope that they would address the problem.

Solution 1: Delete previous backups and re-enable File History

If File History is incorrectly applying the backups, you can turn it off and then on again to attempt to redo the file backup. This will force a refresh of File History. If that doesn't work, you may need to delete your previous backups and try again.

Fix 2: Check and modify the file name or directory structure

File History might not recognize filenames that contain special characters. Check if the filenames that are being ignored contain any special characters. If they do, modify and remove them.

Another possible explanation is that you saved the file in a deeply nested folder structure, which caused the backup to fail. In this case, remove it from its original path and reorganize it.

Fix 3: Run SFC to repair corrupted files

The System File Checker is a useful utility that can automatically locate and replace corrupted or damaged files. If the backup missed some files, it might be because they were already corrupted.

Step 1: Search for “Command Prompt,” and open it with “Run as administrator.”

Step 2. Type the command scf /scannow, and then press Enter.

Run "sfc /scannow" to scan and repair files.

It detects and automatically repairs damaged files.

Read More: Fixed: SFC (sfc /scannow) Not Working on Windows

Fix 4: Decrypt Encrypted Files

File History can't back up files that are encrypted with EFS. If you get an error message such as "File History found files encrypted with the Encrypting File System" or something similar, check to see if your files or folders are encrypted. If they are, you might need to decrypt them before backing up.

Fix 5: Check the storage space on your backup destination

Most users seldom pay attention to the storage space of the destination location, and the backup will fail when the file is too large. You need to prepare a new hard drive or delete unnecessary files in this case. You can use the Windows Disk Management tool (Disk Management) to check and handle your hard drive.

Backing Up and Restoring Robots: How to Save All Your Files

Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is another built-in Windows backup utility that works on Windows 7/10/11. It lets users create a system image and back up specific files and folders. However, it doesn't always run as intended. It's said that many users encountered the "backup did not complete successfully" or "the last backup did not complete successfully" error on Windows 10.

"The Windows backup did not complete successfully" can be caused by various reasons. Here are some possible causes:

< li > Corrupted or damaged files ; < / li > < li > Insufficient hard drive space ; < / li > < li > Unstable network connection ; < / li > < li > Malware or virus attacks . < / li >

Here is how to fix this.

Fix 1: Run the SFC scan to repair files

Running the System File Checker (SFC) can help identify and fix these files. To run SFC, open Command Prompt as an administrator, type in “sfc /scannow,” and hit Enter. This process may take some time, and you may need to restart your computer when it's finished.

Fix 2: Check your hard drive space

You should check their hard drive space to ensure there's enough room to complete the backup. If the disk is full, users can free up space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an external drive.

Fix 3: Check the Connection

Please check the connection cables and ensure they are properly connected when backing up to an external hard drive. Users can also try using a different cable or USB port to see if that improves the situation.

Fix 4: Scan and remove malware and viruses

Malware and viruses can affect the backup process. Run a full system scan and remove any malware or viruses that are detected.

Windows 10 includes built-in antivirus protection called "Windows Security," which you can access by typing "Windows Security" into the search bar and opening the app. Within it, users can select "Virus & threat protection" and then "Scan options" to perform a comprehensive scan.

Recommended reading: Windows Backup Did Not Complete Successfully - How to Fix?

Tool: Todo Backup – The Best Choice for Windows 10 Backup

File History and Backup and Restore are convenient and accessible backup solutions for Windows users. However, they both have limitations. File History only backs up files, while Backup and Restore can save copies of your system and files. If you want comprehensive protection for your computer from all angles, you need a full-featured backup utility like Todo Backup.

Todo Backup is an all-in-one backup tool capable of backing up files, folders, disks, partitions, system, and application data (including game saves, Chrome bookmarks, and passwords). With various backup types, you can set up scheduled backup tasks for it to run automatically. It supports saving backups to hard drives, NAS, cloud services, and more.

It's easy to download and use, and it will back up your files with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Tap the Select Backup Content button to begin the backup process.

Step 2: There are four backup types: File, Disk, System, and Email; click on File.

Step 3: Your local and network files are listed on the left. You can expand folders and select the files you want to back up.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to choose where you want to save your backup.

Click on "Options" to set a password for encrypted backups under "Backup Options", schedule backup times in "Backup Schedule", and choose to start a backup on specific events. There are many other options to explore to customize your backup job as needed.

Step 5: You can store the backup on a local drive, the tool's cloud service, or a NAS.

Step 6: Todo Backup lets users back up their data to third-party cloud storage services as well as to its own.

If you want to back up to a third-party cloud, choose “Local Disk,” then scroll down and add a cloud device, logging into your account.

You can also choose to use the cloud storage space provided by the tool itself. Click "Tool Cloud" and log in with your tool account.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start the backup process. When it's done, the backup task will be displayed as a card on the left panel. Right-click the task to manage it further.

Ultimately

The Windows 10 backup didn't back up all files issue can be caused by various reasons. Our guide will walk you through resolving each potential problem and providing a solution. With the above tips, you should be able to effectively address this error.

If you don't want to go through solutions one by one, or if you're looking for more advanced backup options, the Todo Backup tool is an excellent choice. It caters to various backup needs while ensuring your data is safely stored.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Windows 10 Backup Didn't Backup All Files"

Why didn't my Windows backup finish?

There can be numerous reasons why a Windows backup might not complete, including:

• Damaged file
• Encrypted file
• File name contains special characters
• File located in a deep directory structure
• Malware and computer viruses
• Unstable internet connection
• Lack of disk space

How do I perform a full system backup on Windows 10?

To perform a full system backup on Windows 10, you can use the “Backup and Restore” feature:

1. Go to Control Panel > Update and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
2. Create a system image
3. Select the backup location
4. Choose the drive that contains your Windows 10 system
5. Click "Start Backup" to initiate the process.

Does Windows 10 backup only changed files?

In Windows 10, only modified files are backed up. This feature is called incremental backup. It works by backing up only the files that have been updated or created since the last backup. This approach optimizes the backup process by reducing backup time and conserving storage space.