11.7.8 recover a file from file history​

Fortunately, many operating systems and backup solutions offer features like File History that can come to the rescue when files go missing or are accidentally deleted. 

1. How to Recover a File from File History

File History is a backup feature in modern operating systems that allows users to automatically back up their files and folders at regular intervals. It creates a snapshot of the files and stores them in a separate location, usually an external hard drive or a network location. This way, if a file is deleted, modified, or corrupted, users can easily restore it to a previous version using File History.

Benefits of File History

Data Protection: It safeguards your files from accidental deletion, hardware failures, software errors, and malware attacks.

Version Control: You can access different versions of a file, which is useful if you need to revert to an earlier draft or track changes over time.

Easy Restoration: The recovery process is relatively straightforward, even for non-technical users.

2. Recovering Files from File History in Windows

Prerequisites

Your computer must be running a version of Windows that supports File History, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11.

File History must be enabled on your computer, and it should have been backing up your files regularly.

The backup drive or location where File History stores the data must be accessible.

Step-by-Step Guide to File Recovery

Open File Explorer: You can do this by clicking the File Explorer icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

Locate the File or Folder: Navigate to the folder where the file you want to recover was originally located. For example, if it was a document in the “Documents” folder, go to the “Documents” folder.

Right-Click and Select “Restore previous versions”: In the File Explorer, right-click on the file or folder you want to recover and select “Restore previous versions” from the context menu.

Choose the Desired Version: A window will appear showing a list of available previous versions of the file or folder. These versions are dated and time-stamped. Select the version you want to restore and click the “Restore” button.

Wait for the Restoration Process: Windows will copy the selected version of the file or folder back to its original location, overwriting the current version. Wait for the process to complete.

Advanced Options in Windows File History Recovery

Recovering to a Different Location: If you don’t want to overwrite the current file or folder, you can click the “Open” button instead of “Restore” to view the previous version and then copy it to a different location.

Using the File History App: You can also access File History through the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel, go to “System and Security,” and then click on “File History.” From here, you can manage your backups, view restore points, and perform more advanced recovery operations.

3. Recovering Files from Time Machine (Mac’s Equivalent of File History)

Prerequisites

Your Mac must be running macOS and have Time Machine enabled.

A backup drive (usually an external hard drive) connected to your Mac and used for Time Machine backups.

Step-by-Step Guide to File Recovery

Open the Time Machine Interface: You can do this by clicking on the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and selecting “Enter Time Machine” or by opening a Finder window and clicking on the Time Machine icon in the sidebar.

Navigate to the File or Folder: Use the timeline on the right side of the screen to scroll back in time to when the file or folder you want to recover was in its desired state. The Finder window will show the contents of your Mac’s file system as it was at that time.

Select the File or Folder to Recover: Locate the file or folder you want to restore and click on it to select it.

Restore the File or Folder: Click the “Restore” button in the lower-right corner of the screen. Time Machine will copy the selected file or folder back to its original location on your Mac.

Advanced Options in Time Machine Recovery

Recovering Multiple Files or Folders: You can select multiple files or folders at once and restore them all at the same time.

Recovering to a Different Location: Similar to Windows, you can drag the selected file or folder to a different location in the Finder instead of using the “Restore” button to copy it to a new destination.

4. Recovering Files from File History in Linux

Prerequisites

The Linux distribution you are using should have a backup tool or feature similar to File History. For example, Ubuntu has Deja Dup, and other distributions may have their own equivalent.

The backup should have been configured and running regularly to have available restore points.

Step-by-Step Guide to File Recovery Using Deja Dup in Ubuntu

Open Deja Dup: You can find it in the application menu. Search for “Deja Dup” and open the application.

Select Restore: In the Deja Dup window, click on the “Restore” button.

Choose the Backup Source: If you have multiple backup locations or sources, select the one that contains the backup of the file you want to recover.

Browse and Select Files: Deja Dup will show you a list of files and folders that have been backed up. Navigate through the list to find the file or folder you need to restore and select it.

Restore the Files: Click the “Restore” button to start the recovery process. Deja Dup will copy the selected files back to their original locations.

Advanced Options in Linux File Recovery

Using Command Line Tools: Some advanced users may prefer to use command line tools for file recovery. For example, in Linux, you can use tools like rsync or tar to restore files from backup archives if the backup was created using these methods.

5. Troubleshooting File History Recovery

Common Issues and Solutions

Backup Drive Not Detected: If the backup drive is not recognized by the system, make sure it is properly connected, powered on, and has no hardware issues. Try reconnecting it or checking the drive’s status in the device manager.

No Available Restore Points: This could happen if File History was not enabled properly, the backup schedule was set incorrectly, or there was a problem with the backup process. Check the File History settings and make sure it has been running regularly.

Recovery Fails with Error Messages: The error message will usually provide some clues about the problem. For example, if it says “access denied,” make sure you have the necessary permissions to access the backup files. If it’s a file corruption error, you may need to check the integrity of the backup drive or try restoring from a different restore point.

Preventing Future Data Loss

Regularly Check and Update Backup Settings: Make sure File History or your backup solution is configured correctly and running regularly. Check for any error messages or warnings in the backup logs.

Use Multiple Backup Methods: In addition to File History, consider using cloud storage services or external hard drives to create additional copies of your important files. This provides an extra layer of protection in case one backup method fails.

Educate Yourself and Others: If you share a computer with others, make sure everyone is aware of the importance of backing up files and how to use the File History feature properly.