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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 IIIf 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.
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.Well, you have some valid concerns.
Obviously I didn't think this through, I was looking for the simplest solution possible, something that I'm also familiar with.
I appreciate your recommendation, I will definitely consider it.
Thanks for all your help!
I will keep this thread unsolved for a few days, maybe there is someone from dropbox who will answer my original question about the revisions history policy, it's still important for me.
- MarkI doubt you'll get a formal answer I'm afraid - especially as (sadly) what I said is accurate. Like I said it still seems (in my head) a weird change to make.
