How do I get rid of file history?

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File History in Windows 11/10 regularly backs up versions of your files residing under this PC and the OneDrive files available offline. So, over time, this process leads to a buildup of history of your files but all of them are required. In such cases you can choose to delete files you do not require, manually. Here’s the procedure for it.

If the original files or folders are lost, damaged, or deleted, File History lets you restore them. This is possible because it stores older versions of your files and in doing so, it takes up disk space on the designated hard drive. If you do not need some of the backed up files, you can remove them manually from the File History and reclaim the lost space.

We have seen how to delete files using File History in Windows 11/10 via the Control Panel.

If you need to manually delete specific files from File History in Windows 11/10, then read on.

Delete specific files from File History manually in Windows 11/10

If the original files or folders are lost, damaged, or deleted, File History lets you restore them. This is possible because it stores older versions of your files and in doing so, it takes up disk space on the designated hard drive. If you do not need some of the backed up files, you can remove them manually from the File History and reclaim the lost space.

1. Access File History Folder
2. Choose the Drive with unwanted files
3. Delete the files

The process is useful when you don’t want to use a cleanup tool which may remove some essential contents.

1] Access File History Folder

Launch File Explorer.

Ensure that the Show Hidden Items option is enabled

Next, navigate to the Storage location (SD Card/USB/External Hard Drive) with the File History file.

Double-click the File History Folder as shown in the image.

2] Choose the Drive with unwanted files

Double-click the folder displaying your account name.

Then, double-click the folder with the computer name.

Choose the ‘Data’ folder when visible

3] Delete the files

Here, double-click the folder with the drive name having or storing files you would want to remove.

Navigate to the folder with the content you want to delete.

Select the files or folders and hit the ‘Delete’ button seen under ‘Organize’ section of the ‘Home’ tab of File Explorer window.

Once, you are done with the above steps, the files will be removed and no longer appear for recovery. You’ll also reclaim the space lost earlier for saving the same files.

Hope this helps!