Storage - Restoring Files Deleted from a Network Drive

Restore files that have been deleted from a network drive on a Windows campus computer.

Open Restore Previous Versions Window

  1. Open Windows File Explorer by selecting the manila folder pinned to the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen or by searching File Explorer
    1. Taskbar with Windows File Explorer icon
       
  2. Navigate to the folder or drive the deleted file was originally in
  3. Right-click on the folder/drive. If you do not see "Restore previous versions", select "Show more options"
  4. Select "Restore previous versions". A pop-up showing the dates the folder/drive was modified will appear.
    1. Menu showing Restore Previous Versions
  5. Note there are two actions buttons on the new window: Open and Restore.

Use Open to recover select files and folders

  1. Select the date and time you would like to restore your files to. It is suggested that you select the version directly before the delete was made. Then click the Open button on the lower right of the screen.
  2. In the new File Explorer window, select the files that you want to recover.
  3. Copy the desired files from the Previous Versions view and put them in the correct location

Use Restore to revert the entire folder

  1. Please note: Do not use Restore on large folders like the root of the S:\, your entire J:\, or S:\WGroups. Restore reverts the entire contents of the folder to the date and time selected. This cannot be undone.
  1. 1. Select the date and time you would like to restore your files to. It is suggested that you select the version directly before the delete was made. Then click the Restore button on the lower right of the screen.
  2.  
  3. Restore Previous Versions dialog box
     
  4. 2. A window will open explaining that restoring the folder will replace the current version of that folder. If you still wish to restore, click "Restore" again. The folder will begin restoring; when it is done, the file you are looking for will now appear in its original location.

NOTE: This process is only for Windows computers; Mac users will have to perform these steps on a Windows computer on campus. Another option is to fill out a Restore from Backup Request Form and the Help Desk will restore it for you. The form is found at this link: https://uwplatt.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/111/Portal/Requests/ServiceDet?ID=1571

 

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 608.342.1400 or helpdesk@uwplatt.edu.  You may also visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Karrmann Library.

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