Backup4all 2.3.3 - User Guide and FAQ

These are the steps you must perform in the "New Backup Wizard":

1. General - Enter the name of the backup on the first page and click Next. You can select a group here (or create a new group).
2. Sources - Select the files and folders you want to back up (sources of the backup) and click Next.
3. Destination - Select the folder where these files and folders will be stored (destination to the backup) and click Finish. When a new backup item is created, the default backup type is differential. You can further customize your backup if you click the Next button after the Destination page, instead of Finish.
4. Type - Select the type of the backup (full, incremental, differential or mirror) and set type and compression related options.
5. Filters - Filter the source files indicating what files and folders to be included or excluded from backup.
6. Scheduler - Schedule the backup item for unattended executions.
7. Advanced - Set advanced options, like comparison criteria, automatic test, and actions before or after the backup, sounds.

Frequently Asked Questions - Backup4all

1. How can I create a new backup item?
   Backup items are created by the "New Backup Wizard". The wizard can be started from the File menu or by clicking the "New Backup Wizard" button from the toolbar or using the CTRL+N keyboard shortcut. Follow the steps of the wizard and click Finish when being ready.
   
   
2. How can I copy a backup item (create a new one similar to another)?
   Select the backup item you want to copy from the list of available backups. Click the "Create Like" button or using CTRL+L. The new backup item will be added to the same group as the original one.
   
   
3. How can I see the number of files to backup at next backup run? What about the number of changed files since latest backup?
   How can I see the number of files to be backed up at next backup run? What about the number of changed files since the latest backup?
   
   First you need to switch to the Statistics view by clicking the Statistics button () or F3. Press the "Calculate Statistics for Next Backup" button or using CTRL+F5. Wait until the file count finishes. The results are shown in the text below. The left column shows the counters for files to be backed up and the right column shows the counters for files changed since the latest backup.
   
   
4. Somehow I lost my backup item configuration. I only have the .bkc file. Can I restore the backup item?
   Yes, you can. Just double-click on the ".bkc" file. Backup4all will open and a new backup item will be created based on the information from the backup catalog ".bkc" file.
   
   
5. Zip files created by Backup4all are compatible with third party zip utilities?
   Yes. If the zip file size is less than 2 gigabytes, Backup4all generates standard zip formats. This format is compatible with any zip utility available on the market. For zip files of more than 2 gigabytes, Backup4all uses zip64 technology (which allows unlimited zip file size).
   
   
6. Can I backup to tape using Backup4all?
   No. The current version does not support tape drives.
   
   
7. What's the differences between Backup4all's Mirror, Classic and Professional editions?
   The major differences between Mirror, Classic and Professional editions are the supported backup types. Professional edition implements all four backup types (see "Backup Types" section for a full description of backup types), Classic edition does not implement incremental backup type and Mirror edition implements only the mirror backup type.
   
   
8. How does Backup4all handle archive bit for backed up files?
   By default, Backup4all does not modify the archive flag. Backup4all uses its own catalog file (".bkc") to keep track of the new and changed files. The advantage of a catalog is its faster backup execution. Another advantage is that you can run Backup4all together with other backup applications because they will not interfere with each other. However, if you wish to set the Archive bit, you can choose so from the Type page of the "Backup Properties" window.