How to Restore Your Old or Deleted Files
Introduction
Welcome to WaybackRestorer! This step-by-step guide will show you how to recover an old or deleted file using archived snapshots from the Wayback Machine . Whether you’re restoring a PDF, image, video, or CSS file, WaybackRestorer makes it easy to retrieve your lost files.
Below, you’ll find everything you need: from finding the right snapshot to downloading and restoring your file. Let’s dive in!
Video Tutorials
For a quick visual demonstration, check out these tutorial videos. Each covers a different aspect of the file restoration process.
Step 1: Enter Your File URL
On your Dashboard (or the Restore File form),
enter the full URL of the file you want to recover. For instance:
http://example.com/images/logo.png or
http://example.com/documents/report.pdf.
-
Make sure you include the full URL, including the file extension
(e.g.,
.pdf,.png,.mp4). - If you’re unsure of the exact URL, you can use the Wayback Machine to search for it.
Note: Some files may be restricted (e.g., large files or files from restricted domains). If you see a “File Restricted” error, please contact support or try a different file.
Step 2: View Available Snapshots
After clicking Submit, the system fetches available snapshots from the Wayback Machine. These snapshots represent different dates and times when the file was archived.
You’ll be directed to a page showing a table of snapshots:
- Date & Time: The exact moment this snapshot was taken.
- File URL: A direct link to the archived file.
- File Size: The size of the file in MB.
- Action Buttons: Restore lets you add the file to your download queue.
You may need to scroll to find the best snapshots, or click Fetch More Snapshots if the list is large.
Step 3: Select the Snapshot
Choose the snapshot that contains the version of the file you want to restore. Typically, you want the most recent snapshot, but older versions may also be useful.
- Look for the snapshot with the correct file size and timestamp.
- If the file is missing or corrupted in a snapshot, try an older one.
Once selected, click the Restore button to add the file to your download queue.
Step 4: Confirm and Pay
Each file restoration costs 1 credit per MB, with a minimum of 10 credits per file. Confirm the file size and credit cost before proceeding.
- If you don’t have enough credits, you can refill under your Billing or Credits section.
- Once confirmed, the file will be added to your Download Queue.
Step 5: Download Your File
Once the restoration is complete, you can download the file directly from your Download Queue.
- Click the Download button to save the file to your device.
- If the file is large, it may take a few minutes to prepare for download.
Step 6: Advanced File Restoration (Optional)
For more complex restorations (e.g., restoring multiple versions of a file or fixing corrupted files), you can use the Advanced File Restoration tools:
- Batch Restore: Restore multiple files at once.
- File Repair: Fix corrupted or incomplete files.
- Version Comparison: Compare different versions of the same file.
Each advanced tool has a separate credit cost. If at any point you run out of credits, you can refill under your Billing or Credits section.
Important Tips & Disclaimers
- Fetch Times Vary: The snapshot fetch process depends on external Wayback Machine servers. Please be patient if it takes longer at peak hours.
- Not All Files Are Guaranteed: The Wayback Machine may not have archived every version of your file, so some versions might be missing.
- Size Limits: Extremely large files may not be fully archived due to crawler or storage limits.
- Copyright & Legal: Ensure you have the rights to restore the file. Restoring a file you do not own or have permission for could result in legal issues.
If you’re stuck or have questions, we offer direct assistance. Use the Open Ticket button on your My Jobs page. Our support team can guide you through selecting snapshots, handling advanced restores, or finishing any final touches.