A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable code are provided for reclaiming backup data storage space in memory. The process receives a selection to reclaim a set of memory locations associated with a set of backup copies of a selected file. The process searches a plurality of memory locations for the set of memory locations associated with the set of backup copies. The process then removes the data associated with the set of backup copies from the set of memory locations to form a set of reclaimed memory locations. The set of reclaimed memory locations are unoccupied by data associated with the set of backup copies of the selected file.