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Forum Discussion
Recovering recently deleted old files
So this is more of a general question. I'm an IT guy for a small buisness, and I want to make a dropbox account to backup all of our files (mostly documents). I have a concern about your version...
- You've got two features mixed up - which works out good for you :)
So, if a file sits there, happily, for two years and is not touched and then deleted it IS recoverable for 30 days (longer if with extended recovery). However, if you EDIT that file but it hasnt been touched for two years you CAN NOT get the previous version back via the revisions recovery feature as *that part only* keeps files for 30 days.
However, please note that I cannot stress strongly enough to NOT rely upon any cloud syncing service (not just Dropbox) as a backup tool. It isnt. Its a syncing one.
Mark
Super User II
Super User IIYou've got two features mixed up - which works out good for you :)
So, if a file sits there, happily, for two years and is not touched and then deleted it IS recoverable for 30 days (longer if with extended recovery). However, if you EDIT that file but it hasnt been touched for two years you CAN NOT get the previous version back via the revisions recovery feature as *that part only* keeps files for 30 days.
However, please note that I cannot stress strongly enough to NOT rely upon any cloud syncing service (not just Dropbox) as a backup tool. It isnt. Its a syncing one.
So, if a file sits there, happily, for two years and is not touched and then deleted it IS recoverable for 30 days (longer if with extended recovery). However, if you EDIT that file but it hasnt been touched for two years you CAN NOT get the previous version back via the revisions recovery feature as *that part only* keeps files for 30 days.
However, please note that I cannot stress strongly enough to NOT rely upon any cloud syncing service (not just Dropbox) as a backup tool. It isnt. Its a syncing one.
Thank you for you answer.
You are right, apparently in the experiment I made to make sure it doesn't keep the old file, I only tried to change it, not delete it. I assumed it works the same as for deletions. What you say is actually encouraging, but still, it makes more sense to also keep revisions from the edit date, rather than creation date. It's still possible that someone will accidently (or on purpose) temper with the files, and the moment they click "save", there's nothing you can do. This just seems like an odd behavior.. Google Drive for example will keep revisions for up to 30 days (or 100 revisions), from edit date.
I'm not sure what's your reason to not rely on cloud services like dropbox for backup too. I mean, the functionality is obviously there, and from my experience, dropbox is very reliable. Anyways, in our case, all we need is the ability to recover deleted files or tempered files within reason. We also try to make a local copy of the files once in a while, so in case of a disaster, we'll be able to get on our fit. We're not keeping any financial data, or something of really great importance there. Until now there was no actual backup at all, so... everything will be considered an upgrade.
I would still like to hear about the revisions policy (why is it like that? and if there are plans to change it?), if not for me, then for other users who might get surprised when they'll need to use this feature.
- MarkIf I'm honest I cannot see the reason for the deletions/edits thing either. This is only a recent change as it was 30 days same as deletion, so, no I strongly doubt it will change again soon.
In terms of backups - have you tried to get a large restore back quickly via Dropbox or google (going to be honest and say i don't use it so cannot comment on their services). However, in terms of Dropbox you need support to do it - which takes at least a few *working* days. And if the tickets on here are anything to go by, often longer. I know I couldnt go that long without my data so I have actual backup systems in place.As a student I was restoring files many times.
Deleted files is fairly easy, you go to your dropbox account, there is a button "Show deleted files", you click it, and then you click on the 3 dots near the file/folders you want to restore and click restore. It's pretty simple and works great.
As for restoring revisions, so yeah that might be a lot of work, going file by file, because apparently there aren't revisions for entire folders, but in that case this is still a fairly simple solution than the alternatives of setting up a full backup system which needs to be supported all the time (Me saying I'm the IT guy was probably an overstatement, they are a very small buisness, and I'm only providing help when needed, I'm not a full time employee there, and I have another full time job, so I can't fully support a backup system and make sure everything works all the time). Using affordable online services is a good enough solution.
- MarkThats to restore one file tho rb14 - what about if your whole account is deleted or hit by a virus. That is what I'm on about. Can they be without that data for a week or more? THAT is what you need to ask them?
And backup solutions cost hardly nothing. It doesnt need to be complicated. It just needs to work. I use CrashPlan here from Code42. Its brill - and cheaper than Dropbox actually.
