How can I restore backed up files when I have updated some originals?

I am missing something. If your updated files work, why would you want to restore from the backup.

When you attempt to copy the new files back to the same folder as the older files with the same names, you should get an onscreen notice that will ask you if you want to keep both files or overwrite.

Choose keep both files.

You'd end up with names like this:

moby dick.doc

moby dick(2).doc

2015 income tax.xls

2015 income tax(2).xls

Unless I am misunderstanding you entirely.

Maybe you can merge them.

stanhilliard said:

ignatzatsonic said:

When you attempt to copy the new files back to the same folder as the older files with the same names, you should get an onscreen notice that will ask you if you want to keep both files or overwrite.

Choose keep both files.

You'd end up with names like this:

moby dick.doc

moby dick(2).doc

2015 income tax.xls

2015 income tax(2).xls

Unless I am misunderstanding you entirely.

That would be good. Can I do that for all files or do I have to specify one at a time?
(I Have windows 7 Pro.)

In my experience, you can do it for any file.

You can do a bunch at one time. Dozens or hundreds.

I do it all the time.

Just drag and drop with the mouse.

Practice with a file or two.

Here's the message that pops up.

Choose the bottom choice, like I've highlighted in blue.

The first choice would overwrite, which I assume you would NOT want.

stanhilliard said:

Is there a way to apply multiple criteria without choosing each time there is a conflict.
1) The target's timestamp is the same or older than the source ---> replace the target.
2) The target is newer than the source ---> copy but rename the source.
3) When there is no target file ---> copy the source.

Not that I know of, in any "automated" fashion.

I think the best you could do with the method I use is just drag a bunch of files. Say you dragged 100.

If 27 of the 100 have no target with the same name, they will be copied with no interaction from you.

That leaves 73 uncopied.

You'd then immediately see the screen I posted above, asking you to make a choice for each pair of files that have matching names on the target and source.

You'd have to choose either the first choice or the second choice for each file, one at a time. You can look at the time stamp on each file pair as it's page comes up and decide accordingly--I'm assuming you'd be able to choose accurately since you are deciding ONLY on the basis of time stamp and the time stamps are shown with an accuracy of 1 second.

It might take you 3 or 4 seconds to read the time stamps for each pair of matching file names and make the appropriate choice, so maybe 5 minutes to page through the 73 remaining files.

There is probably some software that can do it in an automated fashion, but I've never looked for it.