Restore Deleted Objects in Versioned Buckets

Learn how S3 versioning and Object Lock handle deleted files, and how to view or restore an earlier object version.

When versioning is enabled, deleting an object normally does not erase its previous data. S3 adds a delete marker, which hides the object from the normal folder view while keeping earlier versions in the bucket.

This is standard S3 behavior. It is not unique to e3 Object Storage.

Object Lock and versioning work together, but they do different jobs. Versioning keeps multiple copies of an object. Object Lock protects object versions from permanent deletion or overwrite for a retention period or while a legal hold applies.

What happens when an object is deleted?

A versioned object can have:

• a current version — the copy shown in the normal folder view;

• one or more older versions — previous copies of the same object; and

• a delete marker — a marker that makes the object appear deleted.

The normal Bucket Browser lists current objects only. If a delete marker is current, the object will not appear until you enable the version controls described below.

Restoring an object creates a new current version from the older version you select. It does not remove the delete marker or erase any existing versions.

View and restore a deleted object in e3 Object Storage

1

Open the bucket and folder

Sign in to the eazyBackup client area, open e3 Object Storage → Buckets, select the bucket, and browse to the folder where the object was stored.

2

Show object versions

Turn on Show object versions near the top of the Bucket Browser.

3

Include deleted keys

Turn on Include deleted keys above the object list.

Leave Only keys with versions turned off. This ensures keys hidden by delete markers remain visible in the results.

4

Find the deleted object

Deleted keys display a Deleted badge. Select the object row to expand it and view its delete marker and earlier versions.

5

Restore an earlier version

Find the real object version you want to recover—not the delete marker—and select Restore on that version.

The restored data becomes a new current version, so the object appears again in the normal folder view.

Do not choose the row marked as the delete marker. A delete marker contains no file data. Restore one of the numbered object versions beneath it.

Alternative: restore with S3 Browser for Windows

S3 Browser is a third-party Windows application that can display versions and delete markers for S3-compatible storage.

Add your e3 Object Storage account

1. In S3 Browser, open Accounts → Add New Account.

2. Set Account type to S3 Compatible Storage.

3. Enter these connection settings:

   • REST endpoint: s3.ca-central-1.eazybackup.com

   • Access Key ID / Secret Access Key: use credentials belonging to the bucket owner

   • Encrypt connection using SSL: enabled

   • Signature version: V4

4. Save the account and open your bucket.

Treat your Secret Access Key like a password. Do not send it by email, paste it into support tickets, or share it with another user.

Find and restore the version

1. Browse to the folder that contained the deleted object.

2. In the bottom panel, select the Versions tab.

3. Review the listed object versions and delete markers.

4. Select the object version that contains the data you want—not the delete marker.

5. Select Restore.

The restored object becomes the current version while the previous versions remain in the bucket.

Good to know

• Older versions and delete markers continue to use storage until they are permanently removed.

• Object Lock retention or a legal hold can prevent a protected version from being permanently deleted.

• Restoring an object does not shorten or bypass any retention policy.

• If no real object version appears beneath a delete marker, there is no stored file data for that key to restore.

• Access keys can view only the buckets owned by that Root user or e3 Object Storage User.