---
title: "Catalog Rebuild of a Disk Backup Set in Retrospect for Windows - Step-by-Step Guide"
slug: "catalog-rebuild-disk-backup-retrospect-windows-guide"
updated: 2026-11-12T16:20:43Z
published: 2026-11-12T16:20:43Z
canonical: "docs.retrospect.com/catalog-rebuild-disk-backup-retrospect-windows-guide"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.retrospect.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Catalog Rebuild of a Disk Backup Set in Retrospect for Windows - Step-by-Step Guide

## **Performing a Catalog Rebuild in Retrospect for Windows (Disk Backup Set)**

This process walks you through recreating a catalog file in Retrospect for Windows using a disk backup set. Use these steps when your catalog is missing, damaged, or needs to be rebuilt from existing backup data on disk.

#### **Step 1: Open the Catalog Repair Function**

Go to ****Tools**** on the left panel, then navigate to ****Repair Catalog****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-zh82m789.jpg)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-yq27mk9v.jpg)

In the Repair Catalog window, select ****Recreate from Disks**** and click ****OK****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-xg47th4c.jpg)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-xed9smfl.jpg)

#### **Step 2: Select the Backup Disk**

In the file selection window, double‑click ****My Computer****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-qwn34weo.jpg)

Then select the backup disk where your backup data is stored.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-tqdwzl2r.jpg)

If your backup data is stored in the default path at the root of the disk, you do not need to navigate into any subfolders on that disk; simply click ****OK****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-ud41gaox.jpg)

#### **Step 3: Choose the Media Set / Backup Set to Rebuild**

From the list, select the name of the media set or backup set that you want to rebuild, then click ****OK****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-dpjk1vb5.jpg)

If prompted, “Are there any more disks to rebuild in this backup set?” click ****Yes**** if you have additional disks to include in the catalog rebuild. Otherwise, click ****No****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-61fq0a9s.jpg)

#### **Step 4: Confirm Catalog Recreation and Save Location**

Retrospect will ask if you want to recreate the catalog file, forgetting the existing one. Always click ****OK**** on this dialog box to proceed with the rebuild.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-nxousk0c.jpg)

Next, Retrospect will ask where you want to save your catalog file. The default path is the ****Retrospect Catalogs**** folder inside ****Documents****.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-3i656xwm.jpg)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-29scfi4i.jpg)

Click ****Save**** to confirm the location and overwrite the existing catalog if prompted.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-p8250v28.jpg)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-9iy84pif.jpg)

Retrospect will then begin the catalog rebuild. By default, it performs a ****fast catalog rebuild****.

#### **Step 5: Verify the Catalog Rebuild in Activity Monitor**

When the rebuild is complete, go to ****Activity Monitor**** and then select ****History**** to review recent operations.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-vswp79xz.jpg)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6d1fe0c6-ccdb-4ee9-a621-0504cb91b4be/Images/Documentation/catalog-rebuild-of-a-disk-backup-set-in-retrospect-for-windows---step-by-step-guide-image-xtqqwosq.jpg)

Click the ****Log**** button for the rebuild operation to see what Retrospect did, including whether it performed a fast or thorough catalog rebuild and the total amount of data that was rebuilt.