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Switching to SNAPI

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I recently became aware that my Outlook OST files were being excluded from my ATI 2020 Windows 10 backups. As documented in the forum, this is due to Acronis using the MS VSS service which excludes them.

The workaround was easy enough, simply deleting the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToSnapshot\OutlookOST

Unfortunately, I have found the key is periodically restored by MS, likely via the MS Updates

I am not aware of any way to prevent the key from being recreated, is this possible?

If not, apparently, configuring Acronis to use the SNAPI drivers vs VSS is another solution. Is there any limitation to use SNAPI vs VSS? Note this is a workstation with no known DBs running.

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I am not aware of the use of SNAPI drivers in Acronis True Image as an alternative to using VSS but you can use the older Acronis snapshot feature providing you understand the limitations of doing so.

See KB 59440: Acronis True Image: 'Snapshot for backup' option overview for how to change this option.

Note: It is recommended to only use this option for non OS drives, or for Files & Folders backups as cautioned in the above KB document.

That reference came from this older post (Message #6)

https://forum.acronis.com/forum/acronis-true-image-2016-forum/acronis-true-image-2016-not-backing-outlook-files

But if I understand your reply, when backing up the entire PC where restoring the boot partition is needed, VSS is the only reliable option, correct?

Thanks for the forum reference - Rob (Bobbo) used the term meaning the older Acronis snapshot method used in ATI 2014 and earlier versions before they adopted using VSS but this hasn't been widely used and is not mentioned in the Acronis KB or user guides.

The caution in the KB document confirms that VSS should be used for Entire PC or OS disk backup images:

Acronis snapshot
A snapshot will be created with the Acronis driver used in previous versions of Acronis True Image.
(!) Do NOT use the option "Acronis snapshot" for "Entire PC" backups and for Windows system disk backups. Otherwise the operating system, restored from such backups, may not boot. Use only the "VSS" option for Entire PC backups and backups of Windows system disk.

The above only says such backups 'may not boot' but not sure that anyone would want to take that risk.

The safest approach may be to setup a separate Files & Folders backup using the older Acronis snapshot method for your Outlook files.

I'm first trying a simple solution that may not work...

for the registry entry ...FilesNotToSnapshot\OutlookOST

I changed the Value Data to

$UserProfile$\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\*.osp

If the MS Update only checks the Value Name, it should work

Otherwise, a good suggestion to follow on with a F&F backup, where instead I may just add an ATI Pre Command to execute a batch file to copy the OST.

 

BTW Steve, since you have been active in the forum, the support has markedly improved, many thanks for your quick and helpful responses !