Windows File History Backup Feature Broken by Recent Security Updates, Fixed in Latest Patch
Microsoft has resolved a critical issue that crippled the built-in File History backup feature on some Windows systems after installing the latest security updates. This means users who rely on this feature to safeguard their files against accidental deletion or damage may have been left high and dry.
For those unfamiliar with it, File History is an automated backup tool introduced in Windows 8 that saves user profiles (including documents, music, pictures, videos, and desktop) to an external hard drive or network storage location. This allows users to restore deleted or damaged files from previous backups, providing a safety net against data loss.
However, after installing the September security updates, some users began experiencing issues with File History. Affected systems, running Windows 10 21H2 or later, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016/2019, and Windows 11 23H2 and later, reported crashes of the FileHistory.exe process in Event Viewer, alongside “Reconnect your drive” alerts despite having compatible backup drives connected. Other symptoms included previously backed-up files showing no previous version available and the “Last Backup” timestamp not updating.
The problem was acknowledged by Microsoft in a Saturday service alert, which warned that installing the September security updates might break the automated backup feature. Fortunately, a fix has been rolled out to address this issue. For Windows 11 users, the update is already available through optional cumulative updates KB5124006 and KB5124010 for devices running Windows 11 26H1 and Windows 11 24H2/25H2, respectively.
Users who don’t want to install these optional updates will receive the fix with next month’s Patch Tuesday updates on October 13. This is a timely reminder of the importance of keeping systems up-to-date with the latest security patches, even if it means installing optional updates in advance.
It’s also worth noting that this issue was not an isolated incident. Microsoft has recently released out-of-band updates to address problems triggered by the September Patch Tuesday security updates, including Hyper-V issues, Remote Desktop Services failures, and USB audio issues. Additionally, a temporary fix was shared for a bug preventing some Windows 11 users from logging in with valid domain credentials after installing the buggy updates.
In conclusion, while this issue may have caused inconvenience to some users, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by Microsoft to improve the security and stability of its operating systems. To ensure your system is protected against future issues, make sure to install all available security patches and updates in a timely manner, and consider enabling optional features like File History to safeguard your files.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-09-24