I have set up File History in Windows 8.1 and all works OK. I have run the cleanup which will delete any duplicate files based on the settings I use and just retains the most recent file. I would like to know if there is any way I can get the system to delete from the File History any files I have deleted from my hard drive. In particular things like temp files, spreadsheet I no longer need, etc

Hi les.61,

File History is a backup application that continuously protects your personal files stored in Libraries, Desktop, Favorites, and Contacts folders.
If you don`t want to back up them anymore, we could choose to exclude them "Exclude folders". We just need to keep the latset one version by cleaning up the others from the "Advanced settings".

We could get more information of file history from the link below.
Protecting user files with File History
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/10/10305594.aspx

Best r