A system and method that automatically and transparently enable access to prior file or folder versions for a selected file or folder. When a file or folder is selected for version location, such as via a user interface, prior versions are automatically located and time data (e.g., determined from timestamps) identifying each of the prior versions is displayed. The user can then select a prior version for restoration and thereby recover from changed file data. The present invention can be implemented using remote file servers, or with local file system volumes. Prior to displaying the versions for selection, attributes of the prior versions may be requested, whereby only versions that actually exist can be displayed, and/or only versions with possibly different data are displayed, reducing unnecessary selection for restoration.