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Recover files and folders
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Recover files and folders

You can restore files and folders:

Restore files through the Veeam Service Provider Console portal⁠

Backups of any type created via Veeam Agent are suitable for restoring files and folders via the portal. You can restore files on a disconnected system and without connecting to the machine.

During the restore process, the backup agent mounts the file system from the backup to the directory /mnt/backup (Linux) or C:\VeeamFLR (Windows). For more information on file recovery, see the instructions Performing File-Level Restore Veeam documentation.

  1. On the portal Veeam Service Provider Console go to Management → Protected Data.
  2. Mark the virtual machine whose files you want to recover.
  3. Click File-Level Restore Portal. The recovery portal will open in a new tab.
  4. In the menu on the left under Restore Point click Select.
  5. Select a restore point and click Select.
  6. If multiple backup policies are bound to a virtual machine, in the menu on the left, in the field Job select a policy.
  7. Check the files and folders you want to restore. If indexing has been enabled in the backup policy settings, on the Search you can use the file search.
  8. Click Add to Restore List.
  9. Open the tab Restore List.
  10. If you want to restore files to their original location without overwriting existing files, click Restore →Keep. If a file with this name exists, the recovered file will be renamed with the prefix RESTORED-.
  11. If you want to restore files to the original location with existing files overwritten, click Restore → Overwrite. If a file with this name exists, it will be replaced with the file from the backup.
  12. If you want to download files in an archive, click Download and enter the administrator credentials for the source machine. The files will be downloaded through the source machine, which may affect the download speed.
  13. Optional: on the tab Audit verify that the files have been restored. The backup from which the files were restored will be dismounted from the source machine 30 minutes after the Recovery Portal tab is closed or there is no activity.

Recover files with Veeam Recovery Media⁠

  1. Connect Veeam Recovery Media to the machine.
  2. In BIOS/UEFI, prioritize booting from this media.
  3. Turn on the machine and wait for Veeam Recovery Media to load. The SSH server will start automatically and provide connection parameters.
  4. If SSH is not required, click Proceed without SSH.
  5. Accept the license agreement and click Continue.
  6. Click Configure network → Edit a connection.
  7. Configure the network settings for Internet access and tap OK.
  8. Click Back.
  9. Click Activate a connection.
  10. When the settings are complete, press OK.
  11. Select the type of recovery Restore files. Wait for the file system mount to complete.
  12. To display the files after the mount is complete, tap Start file browser. The Midnight Commander manager will open. The files on the machine are displayed on the left (/mnt/system), on the right — in the backup (/mnt/backup).
  13. Mark the files and directories to restore and copy them to the machine.
  14. To exit the file manager, press F10.
  15. To end the process, press Stop backup mountIf you have a Veeam Recovery Media drive, shut down the machine and remove the drive.

Restore files using a backup agent⁠

Any type of backup created via Veeam Agent (Entire computer, Volume level, File level) is suitable for restoring files and folders. Files are restored on a running system with the backup agent installed.

File recovery is available:

Learn more about preparing for file recovery in the Before You Begin instructions (Linux, Windows) of the Veeam documentation.

Restore files through the backup agent interface⁠

During the restore process, the backup agent mounts the file system from the backup to the directory /mnt/backup.

  1. Start the interface:

    veeamconfig ui

  2. Click R.

  3. Select a policy and click Enter.

  4. Select a restore point and click Enter. Wait for the file system mount to complete.

  5. Click Enter.

  6. Click Esc.

  7. In the directory/mnt/backup check that the mounted file system is available.

  8. Copy the required files and directories from the mounted system to the machine (e.g. with the command cp).

  9. Bring up the backup agent interface:

    veeamconfig ui

  10. To unmount the backup, click U.

  11. If the message "Target is busy" is displayed, the copy process is not yet complete or the working directory is inside the mounted backup (/mnt/backup). Access the user's home directory with the command cd with no parameters.

  12. To exit the Backup Agent interface, press Esc.

Recover files using the command line⁠

Read more about recovering using the command line in the instructions Restoring Files and Folders with Command Line Interface Veeam documentation.

  1. Display a list of available backups (policies):

    veeamconfig backup list --all

  2. Copy the Backup ID of the desired policy.

  3. Look at the available restore points:

    veeamconfig point list --backupid <backup_id>

    Specify <backup_id> — Backup Policy ID.

  4. Copy the OIB ID of the desired restore point.

  5. Mount the file system from the restore point:

    veeamconfig point mount --id <oib_id> --mountdir <path>

    Specify:

    • <oib_id> — OIB ID of the restore point;
    • <path> — path to the directory where the file system will be mounted.

  6. Wait for the message Restore point is mounted.

  7. Copy the Session ID.

  8. Copy the necessary files and directories from the mounted backup (e.g. with the command cp).

  9. After the restore, unmount the restore point:

    veeamconfig session stop --id <session_id>

    Specify <session_id> — Session ID.