Restoring deleted files from a shared folder on the server

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  lb09 said:

  I accidently deleted a folder from one of the shared folders on the server. Can I get it back?
   

  It's possible.  There is something called Shadow Copies which is part of the underlying OS (Windows Server 2003).  However, Shadow Copies doesn't work correctly on WHS.  In any event, you might be able to get it back through there.  Right click on the share where the file was stored and see if you have a tab that says Previous Verisions.  If so, select a day and time before the file was deleted and select Open. (IMPORTANT:  Do not select Restore at all for any reason.)  Browse to where the file was and try to copy it.  If you get a strange error message, you may still be able to recover the file.  See How to regain access to previous version of files in WHS shares for details (and make sure you read it carefully).
  
  

  lb09 said:

  Doesn't the server back up the shared folders?

  Not unless you add a drive and set it up to backup the network shares.
  
  

  • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Thursday, March 12, 2009 2:55 AM

  Thursday, March 12, 2009 2:55 AM

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  The shared folders can be backed up, but it's not done automatically, and it sounds like you didn't do it manually. And, as is standard with Windows file sharing, there is no recycle bin for files and folders deleted from a share. So unless you have a backup of the folder on another computer or other media, it's gone.
  

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  I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)

  Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:00 AM

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  Thanks... I did what you said, but there were no previous versions available. Do I have to 'enable' something for shadow Copy? I can't believe it backs up PCs, allows for media sharing, but doesn't back up the shared folders. 
  
  I just installed a new version of Photoshop Elements and (unlike the older vers) when i double clicked on the folder, photoshop thinks you want to rename it. I thought I clicked no, but I'm not sure what I hit. I think the pictures are still there, but I'm not sure how to get to them. Is there a utlitiy prgm I can run?
  

  Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:19 PM
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  How can I or is there a way to automatically back-up the shared folders on the server? Is there a utility pgm I can run to try and 'find' these pictures? I know when you delete files / folders from your pc, you can usually recover them with a utility. Definitely disappointed that it doesn't back-up the shared folders.

  Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:25 PM
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  There is no add-in which will automatically back up your shared folders, no. If you have Power Pack 1 installed (and you should, as it fixes a serious issue) you have the ability to back up your shares to an external drive manually whenever you want.

  
  

  For other alternatives, you could use a tool like Synctoy or robocopy as part of a scheduled task.

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  I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)

  Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:44 PM

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  lb09 said:

  Thanks... I did what you said, but there were no previous versions available. Do I have to 'enable' something for shadow Copy? I can't believe it backs up PCs, allows for media sharing, but doesn't back up the shared folders.
  

  As I said before, it doesn't work properly on WHS anyway so you shouldn't rely on it (use the network share backup that is part of PP1 instead).
  
  

  lb09 said:

  I just installed a new version of Photoshop Elements and (unlike the older vers) when i double clicked on the folder, photoshop thinks you want to rename it. I thought I clicked no, but I'm not sure what I hit. I think the pictures are still there, but I'm not sure how to get to them. Is there a utlitiy prgm I can run?

  
  
  If you deleted the folder (which it sounds like you did), your only option at this point is data recovery (either DIY or take the drives to a professional service).  Obviously there are no guarantees that either way will work though.

  Friday, March 13, 2009 12:20 AM

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  lb09 said:

  I just installed a new version of Photoshop Elements and (unlike the older vers) when i double clicked on the folder, photoshop thinks you want to rename it. I thought I clicked no, but I'm not sure what I hit. I think the pictures are still there, but I'm not sure how to get to them. Is there a utlitiy prgm I can run?
  

  
  
  It may be that you just renamed the folder but have idea what it's now called.  Try looking in the parent folder for odd named folders or sort by date and look for folder dates that match the day you did this.

  Friday, March 13, 2009 2:24 PM
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   Thanks for everyone's help.... I remembered that I had the pictures on one of the pcs, before I moved them to the server. So I used the server back up for that pc and recalled the pictures from there. These were not very important pictures, but I learned an important lesson - the shared folders are NOT backed up.
  
  I love the HP server - it works great; all of the pcs are backed up, it's easy to see and restore folders / files, everyone has access to the pictures and music, and no matter what pc I use in the house (we have 5), I can always get to my folders. I just can't believe HP doesn't back-up the shared folders! Now that I know this, I will do something to make sure they are backed up.
  
  By the way, whatever I did in Photoshop (probably a rename), it deleted the pictures in that folder.

  • Marked as answer by kariya21Moderator Sunday, March 15, 2009 2:51 PM

  Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:26 AM