FileShare - How To Use Windows Previous Versions to Restore Files on fileshare.msu.edu

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Overview

If you ve accidentally changed, damaged, renamed, or deleted a file or folder within the past sixty days, you can get it back. You can open the previous version, copy it by saving to a different location, or restore the previous version.

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Getting Started

Accessing Previous Versions functionality in Windows is similar to accessing file or folder properties in Windows. In fact, the same pop-up window appears whether you select Properties or Restore previous versions. Typically, the Properties window that pops up functions as a dialog box or property sheet. Property sheets in Windows have tabbed pages that group similar sets of options or properties (for example, General, Sharing, Security, Previous Versions, and Customize).

To access the Previous Versions tab in the Properties dialog box:

  1. Launch Windows Explorer (Computer file manager) and browse for the desired mapped drive (for example, \\fileshare.msu.edu).
  2. Right-click on the desired file or folder.
  3. A pop-up menu appears to the right of your mouse cursor, expanding downward.
  4. In the pop-up menu, select Restore previous versions.
  5. The file or folder Property sheet window appears displaying the Previous Versions tab.
  6. The Folder versions box displays a table with two columns: Name and Date modified.

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Opening A Previous Version

Open a previous version when you want to view its content before taking further action.

To open a Previous Version:

  1. In the 'Folder versions' table on the Previous Versions tab, click on the desired row item to highlight it.
  2. Click Open.
  3. A new Windows Explorer (file manager) window appears. In the address bar, you can see the folder path indicates your selection with time and date displayed.
  4. Browse the content of the folders and files in the previous version as desired.
    Screenshot

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Copying A Previous Version

Copy a previous version when you want to save a previous version of a folder (and its content) or a file to a new location.

To copy a previous version (file or folder):

  1. In the 'Folder versions' table on the Previous Versions tab, click on the desired row item to highlight it.
  2. Click Copy.
  3. The Copy Items pop-up window appears.
  4. Browse using the expand/collapse arrows and vertical scroll bar to find the desired location and click on it to highlight and select it.
  5. Click Copy.
  6. A copy of the previous version of the file or folder is now saved to the location you selected.
    Screenshot

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Restoring A Previous Version

Use the Restore button when you want to restore a previous version of a file or folder to its prior state.

To restore a previous version (file or folder):

  1. In the 'Folder versions' table on the Previous Versions tab, click on the desired row item to highlight it.
  2. Click Restore.
  3. A popup dialog box appears, prompting you to confirm the requested command.
  4. Click Restore (or Cancel if unsure).
  5. The file or folder you selected now exists as it did at the time/date selected.
    Screenshot

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