Why can I not restore an AOMEI incremental backup after moving or deleting older image files?

Applies to: AOMEI Backupper image sets using full, incremental or differential backups.

Work through these checks

1. Stop manual cleanup of the backup folder. Record which files were moved, renamed or deleted and retain any available copy of the original complete image set.
2. Identify the full backup and the files belonging to the desired restore point. Incrementals depend on preceding required backups; a differential normally depends on its corresponding full backup. These are different retention relationships.
3. If files were moved, make a separate working copy of the complete set and use Backupper's supported image-selection/check workflow. Do not rename files to imitate a missing image or mix similarly named files from another backup job.
4. Use the software's supported retention/scheme controls for future cleanup. Before enabling deletion rules, confirm they match the edition and job type and preserve another independent recovery copy.

Confirm the result

Check the selected restore point and perform a sample file restore to a separate location. Opening the newest image or seeing a successful historical job log does not prove the full chain remains usable.

If you need help

Include these details in your ticket: Backupper version/edition, backup type, selected restore point, error text, file-list dates/sizes and a description of recent moves or cleanup. Hide sensitive filenames.

Updated 261107