How to delete specific files from File History manually on Windows 10

If you have no longer need certain files backed up by File History, use these steps to remove them manually on Windows 10.

File History remove files manually
File History remove files manually

On Windows 10, File History includes a feature to clean up older versions of files, but it’s only meant to delete a group of files, you can’t choose to delete specific files or folders.

However, if you have one or multiple files wasting space, and you don’t want to use the clean up tool as it may also remove other contents, you can delete files manually directly from the backup.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to delete specific files from File History on Windows 10.

How to delete specific files on File History

To delete files from File History manually, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the storage with the File History files.

  3. Double-click the File History folder.

    Windows 10 File History folder
    Windows 10 File History folder
  4. Double-click the folder with your account name.

  5. Double-click the folder with the computer name.

  6. Double-click the Data folder.

    File History Data folder
    File History Data folder
  7. Double-click the folder with the drive name with the files you want to remove.

    File History drive folder
    File History drive folder
  8. Navigate to the folder with the content you want to delete.

  9. Carefully select the files and folders that you don’t wish to keep anymore.

    File History delete files manually
    File History delete files manually
  10. Click the Delete button from the “Home” tab.

After you complete the steps, the files will no longer be available for recovery, and you’ll have more space to store other files.

If you want to make sure that everything still works, you can re-run the backup again from Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More options, and clicking the Back up now button.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].