Tutorial - Recover Data and Lost Files

Skip to a section: Method 1 - Previous version tab | Method 2 - Checkpoint mapping

Available to

Faculty, Staff, Students

Overview

Users recover lost files by one of two methods: 1) accessing the previous version tab,  or 2) mapping a drive to the backup folder, Checkpoint.

If you require assistance recovering files, submit the Enterprise NAS support service request. 

Method 1. Previous Version Tab

PLEASE NOTE

• When you access the previous version tab, DO NOT CLICK RESTORE! This can potentially roll ALL folder data back to a previous state replacing newer content.
• It is a best practice to recover only one file at a time. 
• Any user with permissions of Modify or above can recover files for a shared folder.
• Mac users do not have the Previous Version option. See Method 2.

Follow these steps:

1. From a Windows computer, browse to the folder that requires a recovered file/data.
2. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
3. Open the Previous Versions tab.
4. Select a snapshot from a date/time before the file was deleted or changed.
5. Select Open.
6. Locate the desired file/data within the snapshot.
7. Copy the specific file/data from the snapshot
8. Paste the recovered file back into the current active folder.

Method 2. Checkpoint Mapping

PLEASE NOTE

• Both Windows and macOS computers can use Checkpoint mapping to recover files.
• Checkpoint folders are read only; files cannot be accidentally saved in a checkpoint folder.
• You can map a drive to subordinate folders; it’s not necessary to map to the root folder.
• Permissions on Checkpoint folders are the same as the original folders. Therefore, anyone with Modify or above permissions can recover files from Checkpoint.

Step 1. Determine the file path

First determine the file path to the lost documents.
Examples:* \\piratedrive\your-pirateid-username (personal) or \\piratedrive\biology\labs\doej (shared)

Note the slashes are leaning left!

*Your NAS folder may be named something other than "Piratedrive."

Step 2. Map a drive to the Checkpoint backup files

Windows

1. Open File Explorer. This example uses Windows 11.
   
2. Right-click This PC.
3. Choose Map Network Drive from the fly-out menu. The Map Network Drive dialog box opens. 
4. Enter the file path to your folder (see Step 1).
   
5. add .ckpt at the end of the file path. Example: \\piratedrive\username\.ckpt (personal) or \\piratedrive\biology\labs\doej\.ckpt (department) 
6. Click Finish. 

macOS

1. Establish an SMB connection to the backup files: Finder, Connect to Server. Path is smb://Piratedrive.intra.ecu.edu/home/.ckpt or path for departmental folder.
2. Add /.ckpt at the end of the path for a departmental folder also.

Step 3. Copy/paste the backup files (both Windows and macOS)

1. Right-click a Checkpoint folder. Choose a folder date before files were deleted.
2. Choose Copy.
3. Open your Piratedrive folder and right-click in the space. Chose Paste. 
4. The backup files are added to your Piratedrive folder.