Windows: Restore a Previous Version of a File stored on the Network

Most LAN file storage at Lehigh runs on Windows servers, and Windows client PCs have a fairly convenient means of retrieving files that have been accidentally altered and then overwritten during the day. This feature is called ShadowCopy, and it saves backups of previous versions of files on the H: and I: drives, and also allows backups to occur while files are open. Shadow copy backups are made twice a day at 12 Noon and 7PM.

This allows you to restore files or whole folders that have been changed/overwritten or deleted (as long as it hasn't occurred within a single 12-hour period). The ShadowCopy volume has a limited amount of space and will overwrite the oldest entries when it runs out of room.

Files and folders stored for more than a day (and deleted less than a year ago) can also be restored from tape backups, but their retrieval can only be done by LTS system admins. Requests a file reload by contacting the LTS Help Desk or a computing consultant.

1. Click 'Start', and type 'This'. In the results window, click on 'This PC', or just hit 'Enter' if it's selected.

A File Explorer window will open, showing your user folders and connected drives.

2. In the File Explorer Window, navigate to a network storage drive, like H: or I:, and find the file that you wish to restore to a previous version.

Then, right-click on it, and select the 'Properties' command, and then the 'Previous Versions' tab in that window.

3. In the 'Previous Versions' tab, select the version of the file you want to retrieve (by the date and time), and then click 'Open'.

The file will open, and you can then save it again. We recommend you do this with an altered name, so that you end up having both versions of the file, so that you can potentially keep all portions of the work.