Vista Tutorial - Previous Versions - Shadow Copy

**Brink**

How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista

Information

This will show you how to restore Previous Versions of a file or folder from a list of previous versions (shadow copy) at different points in time to choose from. Shadow copies are automatically saved as part of a system restore point. When System Restore is turned on (it is by default), Vista automatically creates shadow copies of any files that have been changed since the time the last restore point was made. Restore points are created once per day and before significant system events such as program or driver installation. You can also manually create a restore point anytime you want to. For more information, see: Microsoft TechNet: Selected Scenarios for Maintaining Data Integrity with Windows Vista

NOTE

This is only available for the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista. For the other Vista editions, you might try this free alternative: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/

Tip

To change the amount of space that shadow copy can use on your hard drive, see: How to Change the System Restore Disk Space Usage in Vista . This is the same space used by System Restore.
If you run low on disk space and need or want to recover all available space, you can use Disk Cleanup to delete all but the most recent restore point (shadow copy). See step 15 here, How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista

WARNING

System Restore must be turned on for this to work.
Enable System Restore, and select the drive you want System Restore to use for the storage of restore points.

REQUIRED SERVICES:
For how to change, see: How to Disable or Enable Vista Services with an Advice Guide

Volume Shadow Copy - Default setting is Manual.
Server - Default setting is Started and Automatic.
TCP/IP NetBios Helper - Default setting is Started and Automatic.
Workstation - Default setting is Started and Automatic.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Previous Versions window

Here's How:

1. For a Current File or Folder -
NOTE: To restore a previous version of a file or folder that a is still located in it's location. Not deleted.
A) Right click on the file or folder.

B) Click on either Properties or Restore previous versions. (See screenshot below)

C) Go to step 3.

2. For a Deleted File or Folder -
NOTE: This is for a file or folder that is no longer in the folder where it was originally located. You will need to do this in the folder that the file or folder was originally located to restore it.
A) Right click on a empty area in a Windows Explorer window for the original folder location. (See screenshot below)

OR

B) Right click on the folder in the Windows Explorer Navigation Pane.

C) Click on Properties.

3. Click on the Previous Versions tab. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: All files and folders will have a activated Restore button option except for the ones in C:\Windows.

4. Select a previous version date that you want to restore by letting your pointer hover over it until it is highlighted.

5. To View the File or Folder Previous Versions -
NOTE: This will open a separate window where you can view the contents of the selected previous version.
A) Click on the Open button, or on one of the dated previous versions. (See screenshots above)

6. To Copy the File or Folder Previous Version to a Selected Location -
NOTE: You can use this to copy a previous version to another location or the same location to replace the original. For example, the C:\Windows location since it does not have a activated Restore button.
A) Click on the Copy button. (See screenshots below step 4)

B) Navigate to the location you want to place the copy of the previous version of the file or folder. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to create a new folder to put the previous version in at that location first, then click the Make New Folder button and type a name for it.

C) Click on the Copy button.

D) If there is a current copy of the file or folder in that same location, then click on the option you want to do. (See screenshot below)

7. To Restore the File or Folder Previous Version -
NOTE: This will replace the current file or folder with the selected previous version.
A) Click on the Restore button. (See screenshots below step 4)
NOTE: The Restore button is grayed out for files and folders in the C:\Windows location.

B) Click on the Restore button. (See screenshot below)

C) Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

vaderag · 04-19-2008

Is there any way to hide the Restore Previous Versions from the context menu?

tigpoppa · 07-24-2008

i agree how do i get rid of this in the context menu!!!!!

THANK YOU

**Brink** · 07-24-2008

Hi Tigpoppa and Vaderag,

This tutorial fresh out of the oven will show you how to.
Restore Previous Versions - Restore or Remove from Context Menu

You might also be interested in this one to:
Previous Versions Tab - Restore or Remove from Properties

Shawn

tigpoppa · 07-27-2008

	Quote:	Brink
	Hi Tigpoppa and Vaderag, This tutorial fresh out of the oven will show you how to. Restore Previous Versions - Restore or Remove from Context Menu You might also be interested in this one to: Previous Versions Tab - Restore or Remove from Properties Shawn

awesomes finally someone figured it out!

gold stars all around!

**Brink** · 07-27-2008

LOL, your welcome Tigpoppa.

Shawn

minorgeek · 09-13-2008

i'm confused. i thought system restore saved only system files (registry, i'd guess, and few more). this article seems to say it saves ALL (changed) files. i have home premium. is that still true? can i keep system restore functionality and tell it not to save all my other files? must take humongus amount of space and i back up daily and i can't access those older versions in shadowcopies, so it just wastes space.

thanks!

**Brink** · 09-13-2008

Hello MinorGeek, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Since you have Vista Home Premium, the Previous Versions feature is not available for your edition. However, you can use the free program mentioned in the Note box at the top of the tutorial to be able to take advantage of and use shadow copy for previous versions of your files.

Previous Versions is handled by Shadow Copy which is not the same as System Restore and restore points. However, they do work very closely together. See the link in the Information box at the top of the tutorial for a more detailed explanation of Previous Versions.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**.Joe** · 09-13-2008

Another excellent tutorial Shawn!

**Brink** · 09-13-2008

Your welcome Joe, and thank you.

Shawn