Restore data from another computer

You can restore some or all of a computer’s backed up data to another (similar) computer.

Note: A different procedure is used to recover VMs from a protected Hyper-V environment. See Recover jobs and settings from an offline Hyper-V Agent.

To restore data from another computer, you can redirect data from a backup job on the vault to a different computer. If the data was backed up using a plug-in, the destination computer must have the same plug-in installed. If the data was backed up using the Exchange Plug-in, the destination computer must also have Microsoft Exchange installed. If the data was backed up using the SQL Plug-in, the destination computer must also have Microsoft SQL Server installed.

The new computer then downloads information from the vault so that the data can be restored on the new computer. For example:

• Computer A backs up data using Job A
• Computer B restores data from Job A (computer A’s data) to Computer B

Alternatively, if you wish to perform a disaster recovery on the same or replacement computer, you can re-register a newly configured computer after installing an operating system and an agent on it. See Restore data to a replacement computer.

In some cases, where data streams are compatible, you may be able to restore to another computer with a similar (but not exactly the same) operating system. Different versions of the same operating system (e.g., Windows) are often compatible. Operating systems that share similar origins (e.g., Linux and Solaris) are also acceptable.

To restore data from another computer:

1. On the navigation bar, click Computers.

   A grid lists available computers.

2. Find the computer to which you want to restore the data, and expand its view by clicking the computer row.

3. In the Job Tasks menu, click Restore from Another Computer.

   The Restore From Another Computer dialog box opens.

4. In the Vaults list, select the vault where the backup is stored.

5. In the Computers list, select the computer with the backup from which you want to restore.

6. In the Jobs list, select the job from which you want to restore data.

7. Click Okay.

   Portal attempts to download information about the selected job. After the job information is downloaded, the job appears on the computer’s Jobs tab. You can then continue restoring data as you would in a regular restore.

   Note: If you are restoring data from a Windows Image or Local System job, "Potential Threat" appears in the Restore dialog box for any safesets where a potential threat was detected on the original system. If you are restoring data from a vSphere job, "Potential Threat" does not appear for any safesets in the Restore dialog box even if a potential threat was detected during a backup in the original vSphere environment.

   If Portal cannot download information about the selected job, the restore cannot continue. This can occur if the vault cannot be reached, job information cannot be retrieved, or a required plug-in is not installed on the destination computer. Make sure that any required plug-in is installed on the destination computer before you try again.