Exploring Snapshots

Exploring snapshots allows you to use Windows Explorer to review or customize current snapshot files or copy them to another location. After the Snapshot Agent has created the snapshot files containing the schema and data of published tables, the files are stored in the snapshot folder on the Distributor or an alternate location. You can then use the Windows Explorer to view and transfer these snapshot files.

Note  You may not see a snapshot for named Subscribers that have received synchronization objects. In this case, the Distribution Cleanup Agent may have removed all the contents of the directory. When viewing snapshots for Subscribers with named subscriptions, you may not see a current snapshot if snapshot processing has not completed or the Snapshot Agent has not generated a new snapshot file for that Subscriber.

To browse and copy snapshot files