In the Squirrel system, Stub Files are lightweight placeholders left in SharePoint after a file has been archived. These files look and feel like the original file to end users, but the actual file data is stored securely in Azure Blob Storage.

Stub files allow users to continue working within SharePoint, OneDrive, or Microsoft Teams as though the file is still present, maintaining a seamless experience while significantly reducing storage usage.

When a file is archived using Squirrel:

1. The original file is moved from SharePoint to Azure Blob storage. 2. A stub file is left behind in its place within the SharePoint document library. 3. This stub retains the original filename, extension, and metadata — but is only a few kilobytes in size. 4. When the stub is clicked, the original file is retrieved (“rehydrated”) and restored to its original location.

This approach allows organizations to save on storage while preserving usability for end users.

- 📉 Reduced Storage Usage Significantly lowers SharePoint storage consumption by offloading actual file content to low-cost Azure storage.

- 👤 Transparent to End Users Users continue working as normal — stub files retain the name and format of the original, and rehydration is just a click away.

- 💰 Cost Efficiency Optimize Microsoft 365 storage without compromising accessibility or user experience.

Example Stub File UI

The stub file interface provides administrators with all the metadata needed to restore files manually if required:

- 📄 Filename to Restore Displays the full filename and extension (e.g., `pptx_5MB_v2_11877.pptx`)

- 🌐 SharePoint Site Info Shows the URL of the original SharePoint site where the file was archived from.

- 🔗 Full File URL A complete path to the file in SharePoint. Admins can use this to verify the original location before restoring.

- 🆔 Site GUID Unique identifier for the SharePoint site. Useful for tracking and database reference.

- 🗂️ File GUID Unique identifier for the archived file itself, ensuring precise restoration.

- 🔄 Restore Link A clickable link at the bottom of the stub. Right-click and choose “Open link in new tab” to trigger a manual restore.

- 🎨 Customisation Stub files can be branded with your organization's colors and logo, providing a consistent user experience.

Squirrel makes it easy for end users to restore archived files:

- Stub files behave like normal files within SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. - When clicked, the file is automatically restored to its original location. - A real-time progress bar shows the status of the rehydration process. - All file versions and metadata are retained during the restore.

✅ Files restored through stub files are seamless — no admin involvement is required.

Want to see it in action? 👉 View the End User Restore Process

Need help customizing your stub file layout or troubleshooting rehydration issues? Contact [support@smikar.com](mailto:support@smikar.com).