How to Restore a Lost or Deleted File (Acronis Backup)

Use this guide when a you needs one or more specific files/folders restored from their backup — not the whole computer. You do not need any special technical background to follow these steps. Just work through them in order, and match what you see on your screen to the pictures below.

Before You Start

• You'll need a login to the Acronis backup console (the website where backups are managed). Ask your team lead if you don't have one.
• Know which computer or server the file was on.
• Know roughly when the file was last okay — for example, "before Monday" or "sometime last week." You don't need the exact time.

Step 1: Log in and find the computer

• Open the Acronis console and log in.
• Click Devices, then All devices.
• Find the computer in the list and click on it. (If the list is long, type the computer's name into the Search box at the top.)
• A panel opens on the right showing the backup(s) available for that computer.

Step 2: Start the restore

• In the panel on the right, click the button that says Recover.
• A small menu appears. Click Files/folders.

Only click Entire machine if you were specifically told to restore the whole computer — that's a different, much bigger task. If you're not sure which one you need, ask before continuing.

Step 3: Find the file

• A file browser opens, showing the folders from the backup.
• Click through the folders one at a time until you reach the one that has the file(s) you need — for example: C: > Users > Administrator > Downloads.

• Put a checkmark (tick) in the box next to each file or folder you want to bring back.
• Click Recover in the panel that appears on the right.

Step 4: Choose where the file goes

• A window titled Recover files opens.
• Leave Original location selected — this puts the file back exactly where it used to be.

Only choose Custom location if you were specifically told to put the file somewhere different.

• Click Start Recovery.

Step 5: Choose what happens if the file already exists

• A second small window opens with three choices. Unless you're told otherwise, pick the middle option: "Overwrite an existing file if it is older." This is the safest choice — it won't replace a newer file by mistake.
• Leave the box next to "Automatically restart the machine, if required" unchecked.

Important: restarting a customer's server can knock other things offline. Only tick that box if a supervisor has specifically told you to.

• Click Proceed.

Step 6: Wait for it to finish

• You'll see a progress screen. Just wait — don't close the window.

• Wait until the status changes to Succeeded.

Step 7: Double-check the file is back

• Go to the same folder on the customer's computer and make sure the file is there and opens properly.
• Let the customer know the file has been restored.