Restoring files from virtual machines

Restoring files and folders from VM backups in Commvault enables you to recover specific data without restoring the entire VM.

How file restore works

To restore files from any workload in Commvault, you:

1. Browse backup data

2. Select files or folders

3. Choose a destination

4. Run the restore

For VMs:

• File browsing is performed from backup data

• You can restore files without restoring the full VM

File restores use backup data and do not require a full VM restore. This enables faster recovery of individual files.

Requirements

• A completed backup of the VM

• File indexing enabled (recommended for faster search)

Restore files workflow

To restore files from a virtual machine, complete the following workflow:

1. Browse files: Open the VM, select a recovery point, and browse the file system

2. Select files and folders: Choose the files or folders to restore, or use search and filters to locate specific items

3. Choose a destination: Restore files to the original location or a different location and specify the target VM and path

4. Run and validate the restore: Start the restore, monitor the job, and verify that the files are accessible and intact

VM-specific considerations

Live browse

File restores use live browse:

• Backup data is mounted temporarily

• File structure is discovered during restore

Large restores

For large data volumes:

• Consider restoring the full VM or attaching disks

• File-level restore performance depends on environment