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How to do a selective restore

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Sep 24, 2019


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This article explains how to restore only the needed files from a backup. All file versions available for restore are displayed in the Backup number list. The file versions is a list with all versions to whom a file can be restored.

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All file versions available for restore are displayed in the Backup number list. The file versions is a list with all versions to whom a file can be restored.
In Backup4all there are multiple possibilities to restore certain files from a backup.
  • Quick restore a file/folder from the latest file versions
  • The Basic restore type allows obtaining files from the latest version only
  • The Standard restore type allows obtaining files from the latest version and offers filtering
  • The Advanced restore type allows restoring from any file version and offers filtering
Note: If the backup was password protected, during the restore process the password will be required.

How to restore a single file/folder from the latest file versions

This action can be done only in the Explore view from the application interface.
It is the fastest method when restoring a single file/folder from a backup.
Steps to follow:
  1. Select a file/folder from the explore view window.
  2. Right-click on the file/folder and select:
    • Restore Latest Version to put the data back in the original location
    • Restore Latest Version To... in order to select another location for the restored data.
selective restore

Video Tutorial Single file/folder, latest file versions:

How to restore a single file from any file versions

This action can be done in the explore view from the application interface.
Steps to follow:
  1. Select a file from the explore window. In the list from the bottom of the main window, all file versions available for restore will appear.
  2. Right-click on a file version and select:
    • Restore Version to put the data back in the original location
    • Restore To in order to select another location for the restored data.
selective restore

Video Tutorial Single file/folder, any file versions:

How to do a selective restore from the latest file versions

The Basic restore option is used when restoring from the latest file version of the backup.
Normally, Backup4all will restore the latest version for all files in the backup. To restore only certain files you will have to select them using the Preview page.
Steps to follow:
1. Right-click the backup job and select Restore (or press F7). This will open the Restore Wizard.
2. In the Restore in section, select the location where the data will be restored.
  • If you select Use original location, make sure that the same drive letters you had on the original location exist on your new hard drive. Backup4all will try to re-create the same files paths. If you're not sure what drive configuration you had, it is recommended to select Choose another location.
    • If you select Choose another location, you can browse for a restore destination.
Note: You can define some include/exclude filters to be applied to the files that are going to be restored. Only files and folders that match the filters will be restored.
selective restore
3. On the Restore type section, select the Basic option. Click Next.
4. On the Preview page you can select the files and folders to be restored.
5. Click Finish and the restore process will be performed.

Video Tutorial Selective restore, latest file versions:

How to do a selective restore from any file versions

The Advanced option is used to restore only some files from a file version selected by the user, with the possibility to add restore filters.
Steps to follow:
  1. Right-click the backup job and select Restore (or press F7). This will open the Restore Wizard.
  2. In the Restore in section, select the location where the data will be restored.
    • If you select Use original location, make sure that the same drive letters you had on the original location exist on your new hard drive. Backup4all will try to re-create the same files paths. If you're not sure what drive configuration you had, it is recommended to select Choose another location.
    • If you select Choose another location, you can browse for a restore destination.
  3. In the Restore type section, select the Advanced option. Click Next.
  4. On the Versions page, you have to select the backup version to restore. Click Next.
  5. On the Filters page, you can define some include/exclude filters to be applied to the files that are going to be restored. Only files and folders that match the filters will be restored.
  6. Click Next. On the Preview page you can select the files and folders to be restored.
  7. Click Finish and the restore process will be performed.
selective restore

Video Tutorial Selective restore, any file versions:

Applies to:
All Backup4all versions.