Windows 11 File History is a useful feature that allows you to automatically back up your important files and folders to an external storage device. However, some users have encountered an issue where they are unable to add a mounted disk to the backup. In this article, we will explore this problem and provide some solutions to help you resolve it.
What is a Mounted Disk?
A mounted disk is a virtual drive that is created by associating a folder on your computer with a drive letter. This allows you to access the contents of the folder as if it were a separate drive. Mounted disks are often used to extend the storage capacity of your computer or to access files stored on a network.
Why Can't I Add a Mounted Disk to File History?
When you try to add a mounted disk to File History, you may encounter an error message stating that the disk cannot be added. This issue occurs because File History is designed to only work with physical drives and does not support mounted disks.
Possible Solutions
While File History does not directly support mounted disks, there are a few workarounds you can try to include the files stored on a mounted disk in your backup.
Option 1: Create a Symbolic Link
A symbolic link is a file system object that points to another file or folder. By creating a symbolic link from a folder on a mounted disk to a folder on a physical drive, you can trick File History into including the files stored on the mounted disk in your backup.
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Use the following command to create a symbolic link:
mklink /d "C:\Path\To\Physical\Folder" "D:\Path\To\Mounted\Folder"
Replace "C:\Path\To\Physical\Folder" with the path to the folder on the physical drive and "D:\Path\To\Mounted\Folder" with the path to the folder on the mounted disk.
3. Once the symbolic link is created, add the physical folder to File History for it to be included in your backup.
Option 2: Use Third-Party Backup Software
If creating a symbolic link is not a viable option for you, you can consider using third-party backup software that supports backing up files from mounted disks. There are several reliable backup solutions available that offer more flexibility and customization options compared to File History.
Conclusion
While File History in Windows 11 does not directly support backing up files from mounted disks, you can try creating a symbolic link or using third-party backup software as alternative solutions. By following these steps, you can ensure that your important files stored on a mounted disk are included in your backup.
References
| Number | Source |
|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft: Symbolic Links |