On Windows 10, âPrevious Versionsâ is a feature that allows you to recover lost or deleted files using File Explorer.
Previous Versions are copies of files and folders the system saves automatically as part of a shadow copy, which means that you have to configure a restore point or File History. Or you have to use a combination of Task Scheduler and commands to create shadow copies at different intervals automatically.
This guide will teach you the ways to enable Previous Versions to undelete and restore previous revisions of files stored on your device running Windows 10.
- Enable Previous Versions from File History
- Enable Previous Versions from Restore Point
- Enable Previous Versions from Shadow copies
- Restore previous versions of files on Windows 10
Enable Previous Versions from File History
To configure File History to enable Previous Versions, connect an external drive to your computer, and use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 10.
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Click on Update & Security.
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Click on Backup.
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Click the âAdd a driveâ button.
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Select the drive to use as the backup drive.
Once you complete the steps, every backup revision of File History will become available to restore files using Previous Versions in File Explorer.
File History has more options and settings that you can configure. Check out this guide to learn more about them.
Enable Previous Versions from Restore Point
To enable System Restore to recover lost or deleted files with previous versions on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for Create a restore point and click the top result to open the System Protection settings.
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Select the drive with files to restore previous versions.
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Click the Configure button.
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Select the âTurn on system protectionâ option.
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Click the Apply button.
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Click the OK button.
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Click the Create button.
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Specify a description for the restore point. For example, Restore Point âdateâ and âtime.â
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Click the Create button.
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Click the Close button.
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Click the OK button.
After you complete the steps, you can use the snapshot to restore previous versions of files on your device every time a new restore point is created. However, unless you create new restore points manually, the number of snapshots for recovery will be limited.
Enable Previous Versions from Shadow copies
Alternatively, you can also use the âVolume Shadow Copyâ feature with Task Scheduler to create snapshots of the data on the drive to recover files using Previous Versions.
To configure Volume Shadow Copy to enable Previous Versions on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Right-click the Task Scheduler Library folder and select the New Folder option.
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Type any name for the folder (for example, MyTasks) and click the OK button. (We are creating a new folder to keep tasks organized and separated from the system tasks.)
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Right-click the recently created folder and select the Create Task option.
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Confirm a name for the task in the âNameâ box.
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Under the âGeneralâ tab, under the âSecurity optionsâ section, select the âRun whether user is logged on or notâ option under the âSecurity optionsâ section. (This option will make the command window not appear when the task runs automatically.)
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Clear the âDo not store passwordâ option.
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Click on the âTriggersâ tab.
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Click the New button.
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Select the âOn a scheduleâ option in the âBegin the taskâ drop-down menu.
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Under the âSettingsâ section, select when to run the task, such as âDaily.â (Whatever option you select, specify the âStartâ settings on the right side.)
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Click the OK button.
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Click the âActionsâ tab and click the New Button.
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Select the âStart a programâ option from the âActionsâ drop-down menu.
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Type the following command in the âProgram/scriptâ box:
wmic
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Type the following command in the âAdd argumentsâ box:
shadowcopy call create Volume=C:
Quick note: The above command will make a shadow copy of the content available in the âCâ drive. If you store files in another location, remember to update the command with the correct drive letter.
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Click the OK button.
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Click the âSettingsâ tab.
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Check the following options:
- Allow task to be run on demand.
- Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed.
- If the task fails, restart every.
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Confirm your administrative username and password (if applicable).
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Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, the command will run on the schedule to create volume shadow copies, which you can then use to restore files using Previous Versions.
Restore previous versions of files on Windows 10
To restore previous versions of files on Windows 10, use these steps:
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Open File Explorer.
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Right-click the parent folder with the file to restore and select the Properties option.
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Click the Previous Versions tab.
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Under the âFile versionsâ section, you will find a list of the different times when a shadow copy was created that allows you to recover a file (or folder).
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Select the content.
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Click the arrow button next to the Restore button.
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Select the Restore To option.
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Select the location to restore the file (or folder).
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Click the Select folder button to restore the files.
After you complete the steps, youâll have restored a lost or deleted file or folder.