Ways how to access Shadow Copies / Previous Versions

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Guide how to access VSS Shadow Copies / Previous Versions / Windows Backups.

1. Standard way – GUI

  • Windows Server Backup (wbadmin.msc)
  • Previous Versions

2. Symbolic link

  • Start CMD as Administrator
  • Run: vssadmin list shadows
  • Choose the time and backup you want to access, and copy Shadow Copy Volume path
    • Example: \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy123
  • Create symlink (remember to add backslash in the end of the path):
    • C:\Windows\system32>mklink C:\ShadowCopy /d “\\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy123\”
  • Now you can access your Shadow Copy in path C:\ShadowCopy

3. ShadowExplorer

  • Go to ShadowExplorer link and download portable version and run the program.
  • Select the backup and file/folder and right click to Export. Backup will be saved in choosed location.

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