Online Tutorials

Shadow Copy

About Shadow Copy

Shadow Copy allows users to restore files in folders they control on their network drives. Unlike other backup methods, Shadow Copy can restore files in a matter of seconds and does not require the intervention of system administrators. Shadow Copy can restore data when:

• A file is accidentally deleted.
• A file is accidentally overwritten, as when users forget to choose Save As.
• A file becomes corrupted.
• The user saves an unintended change.

Shadow Copy can also be used merely to view older versions of files and folders and track recent changes. It saves a limited number of versions of files, making a record of changes a user can view.

Restoring Files

You can use Shadow Copy to restore files in any folder to which you have Modify access - that is, any folder whose contents you can alter.

• Navigate to the folder in which the deleted file had been stored.
• Right-click the file you wish to restore and select Properties from the bottom of the menu. Select the Previous Versions tab.
• Select a previous version of the file, and then click View.
• Examine the file. Is this the previous version you needed?
• To copy this file, leaving the newer version intact, click Copy.
• To restore this file, replacing the newer version completely, click Restore.

Restoring Folders

You can also use Shadow Copy to restore an entire folder to its previous state.

• Navigate to the folder you'd like to restore.
• Right-click a blank area in the folder and select Properties from the bottom of the menu. Select the Previous Versions tab.
• Select a previous version of the folder, and then click View.
• Examine the folder. Is this the previous version you needed?
• To copy this folder, leaving the newer version intact, click Copy.
• To restore this folder, replacing the newer version completely, click Restore.

Once you've completed these steps, Shadow Copy will copy the file from the selected backup version to your current folder.