Patent ID: 8335768

Claim:
A method for selecting data in a backup data set comprising: receiving data associated with one or more restore points associated with the backup data set, wherein each of the one or more restore points comprises a plurality of files in a plurality of directories as the plurality of files and the plurality of directories existed at a restore point time; and automatically selecting using a processor by evaluating a rule a restore point of said one or more restore points associated with the backup data set for transfer from the backup data set, wherein the automatic selection is based at least in part on an application associated with the restore point; receiving a blocked set of restore points, wherein the automatic selection of the restore point is overridden so that the restore point is deselected in the event that the restore point is blocked from retention; and receiving a locked set of restore points, wherein a not-automatically selected restore point of the locked set of restore points is selected for retention in the event that the restore point is locked for retention.