Upgrade from Server 2022 from Server 2019 reset shadow copy dates, but System Volume Info still has all the old restore points

Question

Hi all,

Ran into an issue that’s new to me so I figured id ask my fellow engineers. I upgraded my files server from 2019 to 2022. No issue there, its just a file server does nothing else. What i didn’t know, because I’m new to my firm and no one left me any info about anything, was that on the data partition only that Shadow Copies were enabled. Now with Server 2022, all restore points are gone except 3 days worth that are new after the upgrade. See below;

I come from 20 years in the MSP world, so none of my former clients ever used shadow copies due to disk space conerns, and backups that went back 30 days..i was just caught off guard

I broke into the System Volume Information folder on the same disk and see the 158GB of data it had before, making me think all my old restore points are there but I can see them. So i ask;

1 - Any way to get them back in the list?

2 - If not, can i access these restore points if a user needed a doc from a month ago?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Pic attached of my hidden System Information Folder

Thanks!!

Ricky

Answer 1

Hi Ric,

Hope you're doing well.

1. Unfortunately, Windows Server 2022 does not include the System Protection feature or support restore points like previous versions did. The System Protection tab is missing from the System Properties, and there's no direct way to create or manage restore points. If you need similar functionality, consider using Windows Backup for your needs.
2. Since the System Protection feature isn't available, accessing old restore points directly is challenging. However, if a user needs a document from a month ago, consider other options:

(1) If you have regular backups (e.g., using a backup solution), check if you can restore the specific file from a backup.

(2) If the file was on a network share, check if you have previous versions enabled. You might be able to retrieve an older version of the document.

(3) Although you mentioned Shadow Copies were enabled, they might not be accessible directly. However, you can try accessing previous versions of files using the "Previous Versions" tab in the file properties. Right-click the file, select "Properties," and look for the "Previous Versions" tab.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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Answer 2

Thank you so much!! I didnt know this and i feel dumb..then again i had no idea i inherited a server with Shadow Copies..regardless its on me.

I restored a copy of the 2019 server from backup with the shadow copies offline on an old VM host and i can access them so im OK.

BUT, Server 2022 is still creating new shadows yet you said its not supported? Maybe its because i did an in place upgrade from 2019 to 2022? Those shadows in the pic below are all brand new from after the upgrade..and they work too i restored a few docs.