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If you delete the files from your computer you no longer have backup on your external hard drive. Instead you have the primary source of data. A “backup” by definition means a copy on both locations.
What version of WD SmartWare are you currently using? If you are using the latest 2.4 version then you should be able to manually navigate the backup folder inside your external hard drive without needing to restore/retrieve the entire backup from SmartWare. The copy is stored in the “SWSTOR” folder inside your external hard drive.
“Deleted” files in WD SmartWare are files it no longer detects on your system, so those are files the application labels as “lost” files that should be restored back to where they used to be.
On the other hand, WD SmartWare doesn’t create image backups, only file backups. It is possible you are using both WD SmartWare and Windows Backup at the same time with your hard drive, which would add to the confusion.
