how is the owerwrite files action?

[ali hosaieney]

hello

i want to ask, how is the owerwrite (replace) files in
windows os? do u know that which of these process doing?
1- the older file deleted and the new files replaced it.
2- the older files not deleted but only its modified.(
its mean that never files deleted);
moreover when i replaced one file by the new file (that
they have same name) , how i restored the older file?\

thanks before for your help.
ali

[Sharon F]

ali hosaieney wrote:
> hello
>
> i want to ask, how is the owerwrite (replace) files in
> windows os? do u know that which of these process doing?
> 1- the older file deleted and the new files replaced it.
> 2- the older files not deleted but only its modified.(
> its mean that never files deleted);
> moreover when i replaced one file by the new file (that
> they have same name) , how i restored the older file?\
>
> thanks before for your help.
> ali


This is actually a more complex question than perhaps you realize.
Regardless of how the new version of an edited file is recorded, the file
system being used (FAT32 or NTFS) comes into play. FAT32 "chains" file
contents across available space. The chains are recorded in the File
Allocation Table (FAT). A serious error that occurs while working with a
file can break the chain and the "pieces" of the file are "lost." NTFS is a
journaling system. In a sense it keeps the old file in reserve. After a
failure, it will attempt to recover the file to its last saved state. In
either case, file corruption is possible and data could be lost.

Bottom line, while file recovery software *might* be able to get back some
or all of the file don't count on it. Protect important data by creating
your own safety nets.

1) Backup, backup, backup. No matter what happens - file corruption,
hardware failure, etc - at least one good spare copy of important data is
always available.

2) Adopt a "layered" work process: Open a file. Immediately use File> Save
As and name the file in a manner that indicates it is a copy. Example:
original file is blob. Use Save As to create blob2. Work from the copied
file. Save changes when done. If you're satisfied with the results, delete
copy number 1. Then see item 1) above for how to protect the new copy.


--
Sharon F
Microsoft MVP, Windows - Shell/User