Microsoft releases patch to restore Windows File History after September 2026 update glitch

Microsoft has issued a corrective update that restores the built‑in File History backup feature for users whose systems stopped creating backups after installing the September 2026 security patches. The fix was rolled out as part of the latest cumulative update and is being distributed through Windows Update worldwide.

File History, introduced in Windows 8 and refined in subsequent versions, automatically saves copies of personal files to an external drive or network location. It provides a simple way for individuals and small businesses to recover earlier versions of documents, photos, and other data without needing third‑party backup software.

After the September security roll‑out, a segment of Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations reported that File History failed to run. Users saw error messages indicating that the backup service could not start, and scheduled backups were silently skipped. The issue appeared to affect systems where certain registry entries were altered by the security update, effectively disabling the background task that drives the feature.

The new patch, identified by its KB number in Microsoft’s update catalog, restores the missing registry values and re‑enables the background task. It also includes a minor driver update that ensures compatibility with a broader range of external storage devices. The company advises users to install the latest cumulative update, then open the File History control panel to verify that the backup schedule is active.

Experts recommend that anyone who experienced the outage run a quick diagnostic after applying the fix: open Settings, navigate to Backup, and start a manual backup to confirm that files are being copied correctly. If the feature remains inactive, users can reset File History by turning it off, deleting the existing backup set, and configuring a new backup location.

Microsoft says the incident highlights the challenges of delivering large‑scale security updates across diverse hardware configurations. The firm has pledged to monitor feedback closely and incorporate additional regression testing in future release cycles. For now, the prompt patch restores confidence in a tool that many rely on for everyday data protection.