This particular issue can occur due to a selection of different causes:
Method 1: Removing Special Characters from Filename
If the file you are attempting to back up using File History contains special characters (typical characters from a foreign language), it’s possible that is causing the 201 error. There are a lot of user reports that have to manage to fix this problem by eliminating the special characters like ä,ö,ü, and ß from the name of the files. This is weird as the official documentation doesn’t mention anything about this type of restriction. So if you’re encountering this problem when trying to back up files that contain special characters specific to a certain language, clear them from the name of the file and try the operation once again. In case this scenario is not applicable or you’ve already tried this with no success, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Shrinking the File Path/name
Just as File Explorer and any other native Windows utility that uses the same infrastructure, there is a maximum length that file paths are allowed to have. If the files you’re currently trying to back up with File History exceed the maximum length restriction limit, you will see the error 201 error as a result. If this scenario is applicable, try reducing the size of the file path or, if the name is too long, right-click on the file in question and rename so it has fewer characters. If shrinking the folder name/path didn’t fix the issue for you, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 3: Running the File and Folder Troubleshooter
As it turns out, it’s possible that you might be dealing with a permission issue that prevents you from backing up content with the FileHistory utility. If this scenario is applicable, you should start this troubleshooting guide by running the File & Folder troubleshooter. Several affected users have confirmed that this operation successfully resolved the File History Error 201 issue and allowed them to use the File History utility normally. If you want to apply this potential fix, follow the instructions below to run the File & Folder Troubleshooter: In case the problem is still not resolved, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 4: Install every Pending Windows Update
As it turns out, this problem can also be caused by a glitch on Windows 10 that was initially created by a bad Windows update that affected the File History service. Fortunately, Microsoft has since released a hotfix for this problem and included it in a Windows update released at the end of 2019. If your Windows build is already up to date, then you already have the hotfix installed, so this method is not applicable. But if you haven’t installed the latest pending updates or you’re actively blocking them, you should be able to fix the problem by forcing Windows Update to install every pending update (including optional ones). This operation was confirmed to fix the 201 File History error by several different users. To install every pending update on Windows 10, follow the instructions below: In case you are still seeing new entries of the same 201 error in Event Viewer, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 5: Performing SFC and DISM scans
System file corruption can also be an underlying cause that might end up producing this File History Error 201. Several affected users that were previously dealing with the same problem have reported that they finally managed to fix the problem by running a couple of built-in utilities that are capable of replacing corrupted system files with healthy equivalents – SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). The way they operate is a little different and the results are mixed, that’s why we recommend that you run both types of scans in quick succession in order to improve your chances of fixing the 201 error. Start with an SFC scan and wait for the operation to complete. Depending on the size of your OS drive and the type of storage your using SSD or HDD, this operation might end up taking over one hour. Important: After you start an SFC scan, interrupting it unexpectedly is NOT recommended. Doing this might leave your system exposed to additional logical errors. After the SFC scan is complete, restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed at the next computer startup. If the issue is persisting, move forward by initiating a DISM scan, then wait for the operation to complete. Note: Before initiating this procedure, ensure that you have a stable internet connection since DISM uses a subcomponent of Windows Update to download healthy files needed to replace corrupted equivalents. After the DISM scan is complete, reboot your computer one final time and see if the problem is now fixed. In case the same issue is still persisting, move down to the next potential fix below.
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