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

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.

   

4. Double-click the folder with your account name.

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

6. Double-click the Data folder.

   

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

   

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.

   

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.