Side view of contemplating female assistant in casual style standing near shelves and choosing file with documents.
Side view of contemplating female assistant in casual style standing near shelves and choosing file with documents. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

Microsoft has released an optional update for Windows 11, which fixes the File History bug. The update, KB5124010, is available for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, while update KB5124006 is available for Windows 11 26H1.

The File History issue caused the feature to fail to back up or restore files to an external drive or network location. Affected devices displayed a “Reconnect your drive” message even when a compatible backup drive was connected and working properly.

File History automatically saves copies of files, allowing users to recover accidentally deleted or corrupted files. The feature backs up all folders in the user profile, including Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop, to an external drive or network attached storage device.

Microsoft stated that the issue was due to a bug that occurs in all current versions of Windows 10 and 11. The company wrote that some customers using File History might be unable to create or update backups after installing the September 2026 Windows security update.

The update must be installed manually, and if not installed, the File History bug will persist until next month’s Patch Tuesday. To install the update, users can check Windows Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.

File History is a useful tool for recovering deleted or corrupted files. By default, it backs up files to an external drive, such as a USB flash drive or a network attached storage device. With the update, users can once again rely on File History to recover their files.

Microsoft’s fix for the File History issue is a welcome relief for users who have been affected by the bug. They demonstrate their commitment to providing a stable and functional operating system by addressing the issue and releasing a fix.

The release of the update is a significant development for users who have been affected by the File History bug. They can now install the update and resume using the feature to back up and recover their files. The update is available for Windows 11 25H2, 24H2, and 26H1, and users can install it manually by checking the Windows Settings.