A file and folder backup is a useful way to backup your working files, personal files and precious data. Unlike other backup solutions Macrium Reflect can backup open and locked files by using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS). You can backup your Documents folder and save the backup as an XML file for easy re-running and scheduling.
To backup your Windows operating system, do not use a file and folder backup, use an image backup, see Creating a backup of your computer. A file and folder backup is not suitable for restoring your Windows operating system.
From the Backup task bar, select Create a File and Folder backup to start the backup wizard.
Select Add folder.
Select the folder you want to backup, or the folder containing the files you want to backup, Click OK.
The Select Folder to backup dialog appears.
Several different masks and wildcards can be specified to include specific files within the given directory or exclude other files.Option Description Include subfolders Recurse all folders below the backup folder using the specified filters File inclusion mask Add a semi-colon separated list of file name filters to include in the backup. Use the asterisk * character as a wild card.
For example; *.doc; *data*; *.xlsFile exclusion mask Add a semi-colon separated list of file name filters to exclude from the backup. Use the asterisk * character as a wild card.
Note: Exclude filters take precedence over include filtersFolder Exclusion Mask Add a semi-colon separated list of folder name filters to exclude from the backup. Use the asterisk * character as a wild card.
Filter names can be full path and/or folder names.
For example:
*temp* will exclude all folders with the letters 'temp' anywhere in the folder name
*\data\temp* will exclude all paths where the folder name begins with 'temp' that has a parent folder named 'data'Exclude hidden and system files Do not backup files that have Hidden or System attributes - Click OK
- Repeat to add further individual directories if necessary.
In the Destination section, specify where you want the backup to be made.
- When you have finished adding folders and making all necessary changes, click Next.
- If required, edit the backup plan, click Next.
For more information on editing the backup plan and advanced backup options see Scheduling backups. - The summary screen gives the details of what is being backed up. Click Finish.
If required, save the backup details in an XML definitions file.
Note: Saving a backup definition enables you to run your backup definition at any time with a single clickNote: You must save your backup definition if you have created backup schedules. Your schedules cannot run if this step is missed.If you want to run the backup at this point, select 'Run this backup now' and click OK.