Abstract: A system and method for recovering a dataset is provided that analyzes the dataset as it currently exists in order to determine those portions that do not need to be recovered. In some embodiments, the method includes identifying a dataset stored on a set of storage devices and corresponding to a first point in time. A request to restore the dataset to a second point in time is received, and a subset of the dataset is identified that is different between the first point in time and the second point in time. Data associated with the subset is selectively retrieved that corresponds to the second point in time, and the retrieved data is merged with the dataset stored on the set of storage devices. The two points in time may have any relationship, and in various examples, the method performs a roll-back or a roll-forward of the dataset.