Recover a Workshared File

Use these instructions to manually recover the central model of a workshared file that has become corrupt.

1. Instruct users to discontinue use of the corrupt model.
2. Locate the backup folder for the central model, and copy this folder to another location.

   Revit stores central model backup information in a folder called <Central-file-name>_backup.

   This step ensures that the Restore Backup process does not attempt to access the corrupt model stored in the original location.

3. Restore a backup copy of the central model:
   1. Start Revit.
   2. Click Collaborate tabSynchronize panel (Restore Backup).
   3. In the Browse for Folder dialog, navigate to the copy of the backup folder for the central model (created in step 2), and click Open.

      If a dialog displays the message "Can't find project file <file_name>. Do you want to attempt recovery?," click Yes.

   4. In the Project Backup Versions dialog, select the version you want to use when recovering your file.
   5. Click Save As (do not use the Save command), and save the file using a different name.
   6. If a dialog asks if you want to open the file, click No.
   7. Close the Project Backup Versions dialog.
4. Correct issues in the restored model:
   1. Click Open (Project).
   2. In the Open dialog, navigate to the restored model, select the Audit option, and click Open.

      The Audit option scans, detects, and fixes corrupt elements in the model. When using this option, it may take some time to open the file.

   3. Click Manage tabSettings panel (Purge Unused).

      Purging unused items from the project makes it smaller and faster to open. Some of the unused removed items may contain small corruptions that have the potential of contributing to future problems.

   4. Close the file, and exit Revit.
5. Clean out the Temp directory on all computers that store the central model or a local copy of the model.

   This step ensures that an overly-full Temp directory is not the cause of low disk space issues. It also forces Revit to create new versions of some files stored in Temp, thus ensuring that old files with potential corruptions are not carried forward.

   Important: Perform this task on the computer where the central model resides and on the workstations used by team members to work on local copies of the model.
   1. On your Windows Desktop, open Windows Explorer. In the address bar, type %TEMP% to navigate to the Temp directory.
   2. Delete as many files as possible from the Temp directory.

      You will not be able to delete some files that are in use by other applications on your computer. The files that you delete will be automatically recreated as needed.

6. Move the local Revit files for the project and their backup copies to the desktop (or to another temporary location on your computer).

   Similar to the effect of cleaning out the Temp directory, this step forces Revit to create new versions of the project files.

7. Create a local copy of the restored central model to ensure that it opens without errors. Attempt to Sync with Central to verify that worksharing operates as expected.
8. Ask each team member to create a new local copy of the restored central model. They can then proceed to work with the restored model.