Restoring Files with Backup and Restore in Windows 7

Following my Backup and Restore in Windows 7 - What it should have been in Vista! article, I would like to walk you through the steps needed to restore files or folders from a previous backup created by the new Windows 7 Backup and Restore tool.

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In Windows 7 (currently in beta phase, build 7000), the Vista’s Backup Status and Configuration tool is replaced by a tool called “Backup and Restore”. You can access it by going to the Control Panel and typing “backup” in the search box. One of the results will lead you to it.

You can also type “backup” on the Start Menu search box, and again, one of the results will lead you to it.

You can also run the following command from the Run or search box option:
sdclt.exe
(insert in text box)
The Backup and Restore tool will open.

If you’ve already created a backup previously, you’ll see the “Restore my files” button. You can restore individual files, multiple files, or all files in a backup.

Lamer note: There’s no real point in trying to restore files from an un-existing backup, is there? Make sure you regularly backup your files, settings and folders, otherwise you will not be able to restore them when you need to. Duh…
If you have more than one backup, you can select which backup media you wish to restore from by pressing on the “Selecting another backup to restore files from” link.

Going back to business, to restore your files, click “Restore files”, and then follow the steps in the wizard.
To restore the files of all users, click the “Restore all users' files” link, and then follow the steps in the wizard.
Note: You might be prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the Restore files window, you can select one of 3 options:

1. Browse for files – to manually choose specific files to restore. When you do, you can browse through the contents of the backup media, and in the right-pane of the window you can click to select any file that you see. This file or files will be restored.

2. Browse for folders – to manually restore specific folders and everything in them. When you do, you can browse through the contents of the backup media, and in the right-pane of the window you can click to select any folder that you see. This folder will be restored.

3. Search – to manually search for and select specific files and file types. Type in a file name or file extension and click on the “Search” button. All files that meet your search criteria will be displayed, and you can manually select one or more of them.