Filter subdirectories and files when restoring data

When you restore data from a Windows, UNC, Linux or UNIX backup job, you can specify folders and files to restore or not restore from the backup.

By default, when you include a folder in a restore, the folder’s subdirectories and files are also included. If you only want to restore some of a folder’s subdirectories or files, you can add filters to the inclusion record. For example, you could add a filter so that files in a folder are only restored if they have the .doc or .docx extension.

By default, when you exclude a folder from a restore, the folder’s subdirectories and files are also excluded. If you only want to exclude some of a folder’s subdirectories or files, you can add filters to the exclusion record. For example, you could add a filter so that files in a folder are only excluded from the restore if they have the .exe extension.

To filter subdirectories and files when restoring data:

1.   When restoring data from a Windows, UNC, Linux, or UNIX backup job, view the Restore Set box.

2.   If editable fields do not appear for a folder inclusion or exclusion record where you want to filter subdirectories and fields, click the Edit button in the folder row.   

3.   In the Restore Set box, for each included folder where you want to include specific subdirectories or files, do one or more of the following:

•      To include specific subdirectories in the restore, in the Folders Filter field, enter the names of subdirectories to include. Separate multiple names with commas, and use asterisks (*) as wildcard characters. For example, to only restore subdirectories if their names end with “-current” or start with “2015”, enter the following filter: *-current, 2015*

Note: Asterisks (*) are the only supported wildcards in filter fields.

•      To restore specific files, in the Files Filter field, enter the names of files to restore. Separate multiple names with commas, and use asterisks (*) as wildcard characters. For example, to only restore files if they have the .doc or .docx extension, enter the following filter: *.doc, *docx

Note: Asterisks (*) are the only supported wildcards in filter fields.

•      To restore the specified folder, but not its subdirectories, clear the Recursive check box.  

•      To restore the folder’s subdirectories, select the Recursive check box.

4.   In the Restore Set box, for each excluded folder where you want to exclude specific subdirectories or files, do one or more of the following: 

•      To exclude specific subdirectories from the restore, in the Folders Filter field, enter the names of subdirectories to exclude. Separate multiple names with commas, and use asterisks (*) as wildcard characters. For example, to only exclude subdirectories from a restore if their names end with “-old” or start with “2001”, enter the following filter: *-old, 2001*

Note: Asterisks (*) are the only supported wildcards in filter fields.

•      To exclude specific files from the restore, in the Files Filter field, enter the names of files to exclude. Separate multiple names with commas, and use asterisks (*) as wildcard characters. For example, to only exclude files from a restore if they have the .exe or .dll extension, enter the following filter: *.exe, *.dll

Note: Asterisks (*) are the only supported wildcards in filter fields.

•      To exclude the specified folder, but not its subdirectories, clear the Recursive check box.  

•      To exclude the folder’s subdirectories, select the Recursive check box.

5.   Click Apply Now to consolidate and simplify records in the Restore Set box, if changes need to be applied.

6.   Click Run Restore.