Saved over the previous version of an InDesign file on my pc

[chrisc62068852]

Hello:

I accidentally saved over the previous version of an InDesign file on my PC, any tips on how to recover it?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Not really. In the olden days, tools like Norton could explore the FAT and find the content, sometimes even completely restore a file. (Systems rarely write over the same sectors, so the old data is there, just no longer 'indexed.')

But in these days of terabyte drives and all kinds of indirect file access and automatic disk defragmenting and cleanup... I'd say no. Sorry. It happens.

Learn good backup practices, such as doing a Save-As under an iterative name every day, or more often if you're doing a lot of work. You can always delete the oldest files from time to time, but you can never get back one you didn't save...

[leo.r]

In addition to James' suggestions:

Make sure to run incremental backup at all times (that is the type of backup where you can retrieve the version of your files from days or months earlier - depending on your backup drive capacity). On the Mac it's done by built-in Time Machine; on Windows, as far as I understand, you'll need to obtain a 3rd-party solution.

Also, other users suggested to work off Dropbox or OneDrive which, if I understood correctly, will also keep previous versions of your files. 

[Eugene Tyson]

@leo.r  Windows has a built-in recovery called 'Previous Versions'

If you have Previous Version working you can go back and recover old files by date

https://pureinfotech.com/enable-previous-versions-recover-files-windows-10/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recover-lost-or-deleted-files-7bf065bf-f1ea-0a78-c1cf-7d....

 

[leo.r]

@leo.r  Windows has a built-in recovery called 'Previous Versions'

By @Eugene Tyson

Ok that's good to know thanks for the info.

I looked up Time Machine equivalent on Windows briefly just recently out of curiosity and the answers I found implied there's nothing built-in.

The level of complicity in the first link at least looks kind of overwhelming for even an advanced user but if it does the job that's great.

[Eugene Tyson]

Depends on the user - lots of tutorials and information online how to set it up.

I think all users should learn to use their computers efficiently - so this is a great way to get going.

[Eugene Tyson]

Ah - found better setup https://www.portableone.com/Tech-News/Microsoft-Windows-10-PCs-have-their-own-Apple-Time-Machine-fea...

You can even backup to OneDrive - which I don't use - but you can backup to another drive, I have 2 in the PC Laptop, so my largest drive is the backup.
I could backup to OneDrive, but I don't use it. 

[BobLevine]

This is why I always work in a Onedrive or Dropbox folder. They both keep versions and you can restore with one click.