How to Backup up Files and Folders

A file and folder backup is a useful way to backup your working files, personal files, and any precious data. Unlike many other backup solutions Macrium Reflect can even backup open or locked files by using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS).

Using the procedure presented here, you can either run a backup immediately or create a backup definition file and schedule the backup.

To create a backup of your files and folders

1. Click on the Create File and Folder link as shown below:
   
   
2. Click Add folder.
   
   
    
3. Select a folder and click OK,
4. This will present the 'Select folder to backup' dialog
   
   
   
   You can now specify the file types you wish to include or exclude from the backup process.
 

Action	Description
Include subfolders	You may choose to include all subfolders within the chosen directory
File Inclusion Mask	You can include all or just some of the files. In this example, '*.*' has been selected but you could choose say *.doc files.
File Exclusion Mask	Use the File Exclusion Mask to outline the files you do not wish to backup.
Folder Exclusion Mask	Add folder names to the Folder Exclusion Mask as required. These folders will not be added to the backup image. Names should be semicolon ';' delimited.
Exclude hidden files and folders	As described
Exclude System files and folders	As described

 
Include or exclude files and folders by typing in the File Inclusion Mask, File Exclusion Mask andFolder Exclusion Mask edit boxes.
The most common way to select a type of file is to use a wildcard search with a file extension. For example: *.doc; *.docx; *.docm.
Where:
• Semi-colons " ; " separate entries.
• The wildcard character " * " represents one or more unknown characters.
• The single-letter wildcard question mark " ? " represents a single character.

Note: In Windows, file extensions are hidden by default. To show file extensions: Open Windows Explorer and click Organize > Folders and Search Options (in Windows XPTools > Folder Options).  On the View tab, clear the checkbox beside Hide extensions for known file types.

 
You can include or exclude files by their filename or file extensions as follows:
 

Example	Meaning
*.doc; *.docx; *.docm	All Microsoft Word files
20100912 AC.doc	The file named: 20100912 AC.doc
abc.xls; *.jpg	file: abc.xls and all .jpg files
*.jpg; *.png; *.gif	Common graphic file formats
*.*	All files
*.pst	All Outlook email files

 
Hidden files and folders are included by default, to exclude them select Exclude hidden files and folders.
To exclude operating system files and folders, select Exclude system files and folders.

Tip Including hidden files and folders is useful for backing up hidden folders such as the folder used to hold Microsoft Outlook email. The Outlook folder is hidden by default. To show hidden folders in Windows: Open Windows Explorer and click Organize > Folders and Search Options (in Windows XP Tools > Folder Options).  On the View tab, select Show hidden files folders.

 
5. Click OK to return to the 'File and Folder Backup' dialog. Note the folder just selected is now present in the list. You can add as many folders as you wish by repeating from step 2 to 5.
6. Choose a backup destination from the options available, either:
   
   - Select Folder and browse for a folder by clicking the browse  button.
   
   OR
   
   - Select CD/DVD Burner and place a blank disk in the drive.
7. Click Alternative Locations to specify a list of possible target folders.
8. We recommend that you leave the filename as the image name. However, if you would prefer a different filename, deselect Use the Image ID as the filename, and type a name in the Backup filename box.
9. Click Next.
   
   The File and folder backup – Backup Summary screen appears.
   To change settings such as disk space management, email notification, password protection, encryption, compression, image splitting, and image verification, click Advanced Options.
10. Click Finish.
    
    If you have chosen CD/DVD burner you are prompted to insert a disk.
    
    The Backup Save Options dialog appears.
    
    
11. To run this backup immediately, select Run this backup now.
12. To save this backup as a backup definition file, select Save this backup as an XML Backup Definition File and type a name in the filename box.
    
    Once saved, the definition appears in the Macrium Reflect main window on the Backup Definition Files tab. You can use the backup definition file to re-run the full backup, run the backup in incremental or differential mode, or schedule the backup.
13. We recommend that you accept the default folder. However, if you want to select a different folder, click the browse  button.
14. Click OK.
    
    If you selected Run this backup now, the backup runs while the Create Backup Wizard dialog displays the progress.
    
    
15. If required, adjust the priority of the backup task compared with other windows processes by dragging the slider.
16. When backup is complete click OK.

When the backup task is complete you can view the log in the Log tab of the Macrium Reflect main window.

Fonte: http://www.macrium.com