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Windows Vista

Working with Shadow Copy

Shadow Copy is a program that allows users to easily access back-up copies of files or entire folders. Back-up copies are created twice daily: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. These back-up copies or previous versions are kept for two weeks. They can be copied so that the user can access both the current version and a previous version. Back-up copies can also be used to overwrite or restore a current version to its previous state.

Accessing previous versions of files with Shadow Copy is done through the Properties dialog box in Windows Explorer. This document assumes that you have some familiarity with Windows Explorer. For more information, refer to Windows Vista: Window Explorer Basics.

This document covers the following tasks when working with Shadow Copy:

return to topViewing Previous Versions

You can view previous versions of files with Shadow Copy. Viewing previous versions can help you locate the version that you want to copy or restore.

  1. On the Taskbar, right click STARTStart button» select Explore
    Windows Explorer opens.

  2. Navigate to the desired file

  3. Right click the file » select Properties
    The Properties dialog box appears.
    Properties dialog box

  4. Select the Previous Versions tab
    The File versions scroll box lists all available previous versions.
    Properties dialog box: Previous Versions tab

  5. From the File versions scroll box, select the version you want to view

  6. Click OPEN
    The document's previous version opens.

return to topMaking a Copy of Previous Versions

There may be times when after having made changes to a file you would like to have a copy of the file as it existed before your changes. Using Shadow Copy, once you locate the desired previous version of a file, you can make a copy of it. You can place the copy in an existing folder or create a new folder for the copy.

  1. Access the Previous Versions tab

  2. From the File versions scroll box, select the version you want to copy

  3. Click COPY...
    The Copy Items dialog box appears.
    Copy Items dialog box 

  4. From the scroll box, navigate to and select the location where you want to copy the file

  5. OPTIONAL: To create a new folder for the copy,
    1. Click MAKE NEW FOLDER
      A new folder appears in the location you selected in step 4. The name New Folder is highlighted.
      New Folder: highlighted
    2. Type a name for the folder

    3. Press [Enter]

  6. Click COPY
    The previous version of the file is copied to the designated location.

  7. In the Properties dialog box, click OK

return to topRestoring a Previous Version

You can restore files that you have deleted. Or there may be times, after having made changes to a file, that you would like to return to the original file as it existed before your changes. Using Shadow Copy, once you locate the desired previous version of a file, you can restore it.

WARNING: The Restore function overwrites the current version of a file. So, if the current version has not been backed up yet and not saved under another name, it will be lost.

  1. Access the Previous Versions tab

  2. From the File versions scroll box, select the version you want to restore

  3. Click RESTORE...
    A confirmation dialog box appears.

  4. To restore the file to that version, click RESTORE
    A confirmation dialog box appears indicating the successful restore.

  5. Click OK
    The previous version is restored.

  6. In the Properties dialog box, click OK

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