File Browser
Navigate backed-up files in the portal, view version history, and download or restore individual items.
Browsing Backed-Up Files
The File Browser in the Customer Portal lets you explore your backed-up data through a familiar folder tree interface — similar to a desktop file manager but showing the contents of your cloud backup.
- •Select a device and backup set from the dropdowns at the top of the page.
- •Navigate the folder tree by clicking directories to expand them.
- •Files display their name, size, modification date, and number of available versions.
- •Use the search bar to find files by name or extension across the entire backup set.
- •The file browser works with all backup types: file, SQL Server, Exchange, and Hyper-V (file-level restore from VM images).
Version History
Every file in your backup has a version history showing how it changed across backup runs. Access the version history by clicking the version icon next to any file.
- •See every backed-up version of the file with timestamps.
- •Each version shows the file size and whether it was added, modified, or renamed.
- •Preview text files, images, and PDFs directly in the browser without downloading.
- •Compare file sizes between versions to identify when significant changes occurred.
- •Use the timeline slider to view the file browser as it existed at any past backup point.
ℹ Note
Version history is available for the entire retention period of your plan (30 days for Personal, 90 days for Pro and Server plans). Versions outside the retention window are automatically removed to free storage space.
Downloading and Restoring Files
You can download individual files directly from the File Browser or initiate a restore to a specific device.
- •Download: Select one or more files and click Download. Files are decrypted server-side (if using managed encryption) or downloaded as encrypted chunks for client-side decryption.
- •Restore to device: Choose a target device where the files should be restored. The device's agent downloads and places the files automatically.
- •Bulk download: Select an entire folder to download all its contents as a ZIP archive.
- •Files are downloaded via presigned URLs directly from storage for maximum speed.
⚠ Warning
If you use zero-knowledge encryption, file preview and server-side decryption are not available in the portal. You must download files and decrypt them with the desktop agent using your passphrase. This is by design — BackupEngine never has access to your encryption key.
Sharing Restored Files
Team members with the appropriate role can share restored files with other team members or generate temporary download links.
- •Generate a temporary download link (valid for 1-72 hours) for any file or folder.
- •Share links are protected by the same encryption as the backup — only authorized users can access them.
- •Audit log entries are created for all share and download actions.
- •Owners and Admins can disable file sharing in the team security settings if needed.
💡 Tip
Temporary download links are useful for quickly sharing a recovered file with a colleague who does not have direct portal access. The link expires automatically, so there is no risk of indefinite exposure.