If you accidentally deleted, overwrote, or incorrectly modified a file, it does not automatically mean your entire website or hosting account needs to be restored to an earlier point in time.
In many cases, CURIAWEB can specifically restore a single file or a specific directory from an existing backup.
In this article, we show you what information we need for this and what you should look out for during a targeted restoration.
Briefly explained: If only a specific file or folder is missing, please tell us as precisely as possible what needs to be restored and the time period from which the data is needed. CURIAWEB will check the appropriate backup and restore the desired data for you.
When is a single file recovery useful? #
A targeted restore is always a good idea when only a small portion of your data is affected.
Typical examples are:
- A file was accidentally deleted.
- A file was overwritten and the previous version is needed.
- An entire folder has been deleted or modified.
- A configuration file was modified incorrectly.
- A website file is causing problems after a change.
If only a single file is affected, it would usually be unnecessary to roll back the entire hosting account to an earlier point in time for that reason.
What information do we need from you? #
The more precisely you tell us which file or directory you need, the easier the recovery can be carried out.
Particularly helpful are:
- the affected domain or the hosting account,
- the name of the file or directory,
- the storage location, if you know it,
- the desired date or the time period and
- a brief description of what happened.
If you know the exact storage location, you can provide us with a path like this, for example:
public_html/wp-content/uploads/beispielbild.jpgYou don't necessarily have to know the exact path. If you only know the file name or the affected folder, just share the information you have available.
Which backup is required? #
For the restoration, a backup must exist in which the required file is still in the desired state.
If, for example, a file was deleted on Wednesday, a backup from before that time should be used if possible.
Tuesday
File still exists
↓
Wednesday
File is deleted
↓
Thursday
Error is noticedIn this example, a backup from Tuesday would probably be more suitable than a backup from Thursday because the file might still be present there.
You can check which backups are available for your hosting account yourself in JetBackup 5. You can find instructions on how to do this in the article Which backups are available? View backups in JetBackup 5.
What happens to the current file? #
When an older version of a file is restored to the same location, the currently existing version can be replaced.
This is especially important if the file has been modified since the desired backup.
Important: A restoration brings back a file from an earlier point in time. Changes made to the same file afterward may be lost as a result.
Therefore, let us know if the currently available version is still needed or if you are not sure which version is the correct one.
Can an entire folder also be restored? #
Yes. Depending on the situation, it is possible to recover not only a single file but also a specific directory.
This can be useful, for example, when several related files have been deleted or modified.
Here too, the rule is: the larger the area being restored, the more carefully you must check which current data might be replaced as a result.
Why is targeted recovery often better? #
If only one file is missing, ideally only that file should be restored.
This leaves other data untouched that has been newly created or correctly modified since the backup.
A file is missing
↓
restore only this file
↓
other current data remains unchangedThis is especially important for websites where new content, orders, form entries, or other data are constantly being generated.
We explain the general process of a recovery with CURIAWEB in the article Restoring a backup in CURIAWEB: How the restoration works.
How to request recovery #
If you need a file or directory from a backup, please open a support ticket in the CURIAWEB customer center.
Create support ticket for a recovery
Describe as precisely as possible what data you need and what time period it should cover.
A good request might, for example, contain the following information:
Domain:
meine-domain.ch
File:
beispielbild.jpg
Storage location:
public_html/wp-content/uploads/
Desired timeframe:
File was still correct on Tuesday
Problem:
File was accidentally overwritten on WednesdayIf you don't know all the details, that's not a problem. Just describe to us as accurately as possible what happened and what data you need back.
What happens after that? #
CURIAWEB checks the existing backups and searches for a backup in which the desired file or directory is still present.
If a suitable backup is available, we will perform the restoration for you.
Afterwards, you should check whether the required data is available again and whether the website or the affected function is working as expected again.
What if the file has been missing for a while? #
CURIAWEB keeps daily backups for 30 days. Therefore, a file can only be restored from the regular backup if a backup from a period when the file existed is still available.
If a file was deleted a long time ago and a suitable backup is no longer available, it may no longer be recoverable via the regular daily backups.
Practical Tip: If you notice that an important file is missing, report it as early as possible. The longer you wait, the greater the likelihood that the required older backup will no longer be available.
Summary #
If a single file or a specific directory is missing, the complete hosting account does not automatically need to be restored.
Depending on the situation, CURIAWEB can specifically restore individual files or directories from an existing backup.
Information that is as precise as possible regarding the file name, storage location, and the time at which the data was last correct is helpful.
You can view the existing backups yourself in JetBackup 5. We will perform the actual restoration for you.
The more precisely it is known which file is needed and from what time period it should originate, the more targeted the recovery can be performed.
