Exclude a folder from backup
I would like to be able to exclude an entire folder from a backup, but I'm having trouble. I have followed the instructions here: https://kb.acronis.com/content/59686 which shows how to do it in the 2017 version, but it doesn't work - when I type in the full path of the folder (with or without a trailing "\") it doesn't take it and there is no "..." for me to click on to select a folder. Help!
OK, now I see what Norman was talking about.
It seems that the Exclusion is not working for File and Folder based backups. When I try it, I get the box to enter the exclusion, but there is no ellipsis (...) on the right end of the box. After entering what I want and hitting return it does not appear in the list.
When I try to exclude from a Disk based backup it works fine.
I'll report this as a bug though feedback.
Bruno, as far as I can see, this is probably working as intended for files & folders backups.
To exclude any folder, you simply deselect it on the Source selection panel.
To exclude any files or use wildcards, then enter them on the exclusions page, i.e. *.mp4 and you will see that this is kept.
Steve, you may be right. At the very end of the document page for file exclusion it says
" To exclude a folder from a disk-level backup, click the plus sign, click the ellipsis button, go to the directory tree and select the folder you want to exclude, and then click OK. "
It would be nice if it specifically stated that you cannot exclude a folder from a file level backup. Perhaps a simple error message when trying to do this would be appropriate.
Kind of going the long way around for a short trip, and not documented very well in the first place. It would be nice to have a selection to "exclude locked or open files" on the exclusions page.
Thank you for your feedback, Roland! I've passed your idea to the product team.
If this is implemented, any email reports should include a listing of such files and/or include on the “history” TAB in the Acronis App. (Another seniors moment, cannot remember what it is called and cannot check as I am on the iPad at the moment.
Ian
Surely the handling of locked or open files is the reason why Microsoft VSS / snapshot methods are employed in the first place, i.e. how ATI already handles such OS files when making a backup of the OS drive?
I can only see any value in having this type of option if this is conditioned on not using VSS or any other snapshot method in the backup task, otherwise such files should be captured as per their current state stored on the drive, as happens with such as MS Outlook files now.
None of this discussion addresses the limitation of not being able to exclude folders throughout the disk or folder hierarchy based on a folder name.
I am a developer and wish to back up my code directories. But those directories contain many files that are generated at compile time that don't need to be saved. Plus, excluding them will save a lot of space in the backup.
Trying to list all file types to be excluded based on the filename extension is tedious and error prone.
I would like to be able to exclude based on directory names. Specifically, I need to be able to excluded my .svn, obj, tmp and so on folders from the backup.
Morris, welcome to these public User Folders.
This is a requirement that you may need to address directly to Acronis by using their Feedback tool or by opening a Support Ticket.
The way ATI is designed, you cannot use wildcard characters for folder type exclusions when making a Files & Folders backup image - to exclude folders you would need to deselect these on the Source selection panel, which is only likely to be viable if your folders remain relatively unchanged, but not so helpful if your folders are changing constantly.
If you are making a Disk & Partitions backup of the drive where your files are stored, then you can try using a wildcard mask to exclude your particular folders, i.e. E:\*\svn\*.* depending on how deeply nested your folders are.
Morris Maynard wrote:None of this discussion addresses the limitation of not being able to exclude folders throughout the disk or folder hierarchy based on a folder name.
I am a developer and wish to back up my code directories. But those directories contain many files that are generated at compile time that don't need to be saved. Plus, excluding them will save a lot of space in the backup.
Trying to list all file types to be excluded based on the filename extension is tedious and error prone.
I would like to be able to exclude based on directory names. Specifically, I need to be able to excluded my .svn, obj, tmp and so on folders from the backup.
Hello Morris, I've created a feature request in our system based on your feedback, thank you!