Recover Files and Folders
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
You can use the Recovery Wizard in Windows Server Backup to recover files and folders from a backup. Before you begin, you should:
Make sure that the computer that you are recovering files to is running Windows Server 2008.
Make sure at least one backup exists on an external disk or in a remote shared folder—you cannot recover files and folders from backups saved to DVDs or removable media. In addition, make sure that the backup is not a system state backup—file and folder recovery is not possible from a system state backup.
Make sure the external disk or shared folder that is hosting the backup is online and available to the server.
Determine what files or folders that you want to recover.
Note
You can also use the Wbadmin start recovery command to perform this task. For examples and syntax for this command, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=93338.
To recover files and folders
From the Start menu, click Administrative Tools, and then click Windows Server Backup.
In the Actions pane of the snap-in default page, under Windows Server Backup, click Recover. This opens the Recovery Wizard.
On the Getting started page, specify whether you will recover files from backups run on this computer or another computer, and then click Next.
If you are recovering files and folders from backups stored on another computer, do the following, and then click Next:
On the Specify location type page, specify whether the backup that you want to restore from is on a local drive or a remote shared folder.
If you are recovering from a local drive, on the Select backup location page, select the location of the backup from the drop-down list. If you are recovering from a remote shared folder, on the Specify remote folder page, type the path to the folder that contains the backup. In the folder, the backup should be stored at \\<RemoteSharedFolder>\WindowsImageBackup\<ComputerName>\<YourBackup>.
If you are recovering from this computer, on the Select backup location page, select the location of the backup from the drop-down list, and then click Next.
On the Select backup date page, select the date from the calendar and the time from the drop-down list of backup you want to restore from. If you are recovering from this computer and the backup you select is stored on a DVD or removable media drive, you are prompted to insert the media. Then click Next.
On the Select recovery type page, click Files and folders, and then click Next.
On the Select items to recover page, under Available items, expand the list until the folder you want is visible. Click a folder to display the contents in the adjacent pane, click each item that you want to restore, and then click Next.
Note
The SHIFT and CTRL keys will enable you to select a group or specific set of items.
On the Specify recovery options page, under Recovery destination, do one of the following, and then click Next:
Click Original location.
Click Another location. Then, type the path to the location, or click Browse to select it.
Under When Backup finds existing files and folders, click one of the following, and then click Next:
Create copies so I have both versions of the file or folder
Overwrite existing files with recovered files
Don't recover those existing files and folders
On the Confirmation page, review the details, and then click Recover to restore the specified items.
On the Recovery progress page, you can view the status of the recovery operation and whether or not it was successfully completed.
Additional considerations
- To recover files and folders from a backup using Windows Server Backup, you must be a member of the Backup Operators or Administrators group, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure.