Restore older versions of files and folders deleted by mistake

The option to restore previous versions of files is part of Windows 7's System Protection feature, so the first step is to check that this is enabled. Click Start and then right-click the Computer link to the right before selecting the Properties option from the pop-up menu. In the System window that opens, click the System protection link on the left to open the System Properties dialogue box. In the Protection Settings section, click to select the relevant hard disk (usually labelled ‘C:’) and then click the Configure button.

The System Protection dialogue box will appear: click to select the ‘Restore system settings and previous versions of files’ radio button. In the lower half of the dialogue box, use the slider to choose how much disk space should be set aside for Restore Points and previous file versions. It is a good idea to assign as much space as possible before clicking the OK button.

If more than one hard disk is installed, or the drive has been divided into two or more partitions, repeat this process for other drives back at the System Properties dialogue. From this point onwards, Windows will automatically create Restore Points, as well as safeguarding the files you are working with. Even so, it is a good idea to click the Create button at the bottom of the dialogue box to create a Restore Point right away.

Type in a name for the Restore Point to make it easier to identify – using the date and time is a simple option – and then click the Create button. There will be a delay while Windows gathers together all of the required information about the PC and creates the Restore Point. Once this process is complete, click the Close button and then click OK to close the System Properties dialogue.

From now, if unwanted changes are made to a file, it’s possible to make use of Windows 7's ability to restore previous versions. This is dependent on a Restore Point having been created (see Step 3), so you may find that it is not possible to roll back to precisely the version of a file you were hoping. Right-click the file in question and select the ‘Restore previous versions’ option from the pop-up menu to view a list of available file versions for you to choose from.

Click the Open button to open the file and then so you can manually save it, or the Copy button to create another copy of the file in a location of your choosing. Clicking the Restore button will overwrite the existing file with the older version, so use this with caution. A similar technique can also be used to restore files that have been accidentally deleted. Right-click a folder (rather than a file) before selecting ‘Restore previous versions’ and then double-click one of the folder versions listed. Inside you should find your deleted file ready to be put back into place.