How to restore files from Azure backup on Windows 10

You can quickly restore files and folders from a cloud backup using Azure, and here's how you can do this on Windows 10.

On Windows 10, after setting up a file backup using Microsoft Azure services, if you ever run into an issue, for example, you lose an important file because of data corruption or accidental deletion, or you need to revert to the previous version of the file, the Azure backup console makes it a straightforward process to get your files and folders back.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to recover files from a backup created with Azure services on Windows 10. (You can also use the same instructions to restore files on Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, 2012, and even 2008.)

How to restore files to the same computer using Azure backup

To restore one or multiple files from a backup created using Azure on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Microsoft Azure Backup and click the top result to open the console.

  3. Click the Action menu.

  4. Click the Recover Data option.

    Azure backup recover data option
    Azure backup recover data option
  5. Select the This server option.

    Azure backup recovery, device option
    Azure backup recovery, device option
  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Select the Individual files and folders option.

    Azure backup recovery files and folders option
    Azure backup recovery files and folders option
  8. Click the Next button.

  9. Using the drop-down menu, select the drive (volume) with the files to be restored to display the available backups. (You can only select the dates in bold.)

  10. Select the recovery point that includes the version of the files that you want to recover.

    Azure backup select recovery point
    Azure backup select recovery point
  11. (Optional) Using the drop-down menu, select the time of the backup of a specific date.

  12. Click the Mount button.

  13. Click the Browse button.

    Azure backup browse recovery point to restore data
    Azure backup browse recovery point to restore data
  14. Select the data to restore, right-click and select the Copy option, and then use the Paste option to recover your files into a local folder.

    Restore Azure backup data
    Restore Azure backup data
  15. Click the Unmount button in the wizard.

    Unmount Azure backup recovery point
    Unmount Azure backup recovery point
  16. Click the Yes button

As you can see, unlike traditional backup solutions, you need to File Explorer to browse and recover your data as they were stored on a removal drive.

Once you’ve completed the steps, the files and folders will be restored on your device.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.