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Is there a way to do generational backups of shared folders that are on the server? RRS feed

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    When the server backs up connected computers it keeps 3 daily, 3 weekly and 3 monthly backups (or however many you specify). If you connect an external hard drive and define it to be used to backup server shared folders it appears that it only keeps the most recent version of any file. So if I don't realize that I have messed up a file until after the next backup, I'm out of luck. Is there a way to do generational backups of shared folders that are on the server so that you can have several iterations of each folder/file?
    Friday, June 18, 2010 12:00 AM

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    In the help file for the console, there is a topic named "Home Server Backup". Please read it; it tells you how to use the server backup feature.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Marked as answer by Tukatz Friday, June 18, 2010 3:04 AM
    Friday, June 18, 2010 1:19 AM
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    If you're using the server backup functionality built into Windows Home Server, the version of the file you want is there as long as you haven't deleted all the backups that contained that version:

    • Connect your server backup drive.
    • Right click your server in the Computers and Backups tab.
    • Select View backups from the popup menu.
    • Select the backup you want to restore from and click Restore...
    • Choose one or more shares to be restored and which type of restore you want to perform, then click Restore Now.
    Alternatively, connect the backup drive to any computer and browse it in Windows Explorer.

    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    Friday, June 18, 2010 12:40 AM
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    Interesting, Ken. I have attached an external drive and configured it for backups, but the Configure Backups menu item for the server on the Computers and Backups tab is disabled. There is no way to select which folders will be backed up. The help file entry says something about only files that have changed being backed up. That implied to me that there would only be one version of any backed up file. Am I misreading that?
    Friday, June 18, 2010 1:09 AM
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    In the help file for the console, there is a topic named "Home Server Backup". Please read it; it tells you how to use the server backup feature.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Marked as answer by Tukatz Friday, June 18, 2010 3:04 AM
    Friday, June 18, 2010 1:19 AM
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    Thanks, Ken. That is the help topic I read. It doesn't explain the process in any real detail. Experimentation did the trick. I did a Backup Now, then changed a few files, then did another Backup Now. The second one ran MUCH faster. The View Backups looks a lot different. The only option seems to be to Restore in one of two ways. However, Windows Explorer through a Remote Desktop Connection allows you to see individual files. I didn't try it, but I am sure I could have selected one of those files from the backup drive and copied it back to the regular shared folder. The second backup shows all the folders and files, but it must be pointers. The total space used on the drive is consistent with only changed files being backed up the second time. I'll look again after the regularly scheduled backup occurs, but I believe I have found just what I was looking for. Thanks again for your prompt responses and assistance.
    Friday, June 18, 2010 2:49 AM