Windows 7: Previous Versions - Restore Files and Folders

   Information

Previous versions are copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup when you back up your files, and copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point. When system protection is turned on, Windows 7 will only automatically create previous versions of files and folders that have been modified since the last restore point was made.

When you restore a previous version from a restore point, the file is already saved on your computer, so you don't have to do anything additional. If you want to restore a previous version of a file or folder from a backup, after you select the previous version and click Restore, Windows opens the Restore Files wizard, and then you follow the steps in the wizard. The drive or media that your backup is stored on needs to be available for you to restore items from a backup.


This will show you how to use previous versions to restore files and folders in Windows 7 that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. Depending on the type of file or folder, you can open, save to a different location, or restore a previous version.

   Note

To restore previous versions of files or folders in Libraries, you will need to right click on the file, folder, or empty space in a included folder and follow the instructions below instead of the library folder itself.

   Warning

Previous Versions Requirements

• Turn on System Protection for the drive(s) that you want to have previous versions of it's files and folders available.
• Have any files that are not system files you want to also have previous versions of included in Windows Backups when created.
• Volume Shadow Copy - Service set as default of Manual.
• Server - Service set as default of Started and Automatic.
• TCP/IP NetBios Helper - Service set as default of Started and Automatic.
• Workstation - Service set as default of Started and Automatic.

OPTION ONE

Restore Prevous Versions of Deleted Files and Folders

1. Open the folder that the deleted file or folder was originally saved in.

2. Right click on a empty space in this folder window, and click on Properties. (see screenshot below)

3. Click on the Previous Versions tab. (see screenshot below)

4. Go to either step 3, 4, or 5 in OPTION THREE below.

OPTION TWO

Restore Prevous Versions of an Existing File

1. Right click on the file, and click on Restore previous versions. (see screenshot below)

2. You may have the option to either Open, Copy, or Restore the selected previous version of the file. (see screenshots below)

3. To Open the Previous Version File
NOTE: You can't open previous versions of files that were created by Windows Backup (under Location column) to view it to make sure it's the version you want, but you can restore them. You will only be able to open the file if was saved as part of a restore point.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this file and click on the Open button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) If this is the version of the file you want, then you can either restore (step 5) it to this location, or copy (step 4) it to another location.

4. To Copy the Previous Version File
NOTE: You can't copy previous versions of files that were created by Windows Backup (under Location column) to another location, but you can restore them. You will only be able to copy the file if was saved as part of a restore point.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this file and click on the Copy button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) Select a folder, or Make a New Folder, to save a copy of this file version to and click on Copy. (see screenshot below)

5. To Restore the Previous Version File
WARNING: The previous version file will replace the current version on your computer to the previous state. The replacement cannot be undone.
NOTE: If the Restore button isn't available, then it means that you can't restore a previous version of this file to its original location (ex: system folder C:\Windows). However, you might be able to open or copy it to a different location.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this file and click on the Restore button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) Select the option you want to do, and click on it. (see screenshot below)

C) Click on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)

OPTION THREE

Restore Prevous Versions of an Existing Folder or Drive

1. Right click on the folder, and click on Restore previous versions. (see screenshot below)

2. You may have the option to either Open, Copy, or Restore the selected previous version of the folder. (see screenshots below)

3. To Open the Previous Version Folder
NOTE: You can't open previous versions of folders that were created by Windows Backup to view it to make sure it's the version you want, but you can restore them. You will only be able to open the folder if was saved as part of a restore point.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this folder and click on the Open button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) If this is the version of the folder you want, then you can either restore (step 5) the folder to this location, copy (step 4) the folder to another location, or manually drag and drop or copy and paste previous versions of the sub files and folders in this previous version folder to another location to restore them instead of the whole previous version folder.

4. To Copy the Previous Version Folder
NOTE: You can't copy previous versions of folders that were created by Windows Backup to another location, but you can restore them. You will only be able to copy the folder if was saved as part of a restore point.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this file and click on the Copy button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) Select a folder, or Make a New Folder, to save a copy of this folder version to and click on Copy. (see screenshot below)

5. To Restore the Previous Version Folder
WARNING: The previous version folder will replace the current version on your computer to the previous state. The replacement cannot be undone.
NOTE: If the Restore button isn't available, then it means that you can't restore a previous version of this folder to its original location (ex: system folder C:\Windows). However, you might be able to open or copy it to a different location.

A) In the Previous Versions tab, select an available previous version of this folder and click on the Restore button if available. (see screenshots below step 2)

B) Click on the Restore button. (see screenshot below)

C) Click OK. (see screenshot below)