How the incremental limit works in Backup4all

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    Sep 17, 2019
    Backup4all 5.x - 8.x
    We strive to keep our articles as accurate as possible. If you notice any inconsistencies or outdated info please let us know.
    This article shows how to create an incremental backup, how the limit can be applied and how each type of limit works. In Backup4all you can limit the number of file versions or limit the number of backup versions. In the last case you can set the application to merge the old versions before deletion in order to keep as many backup versions as possible.

    On this page:

    How to configure the backup job

    • Open Backup4all
    1. Press New button to open the New Backup Wizard. Select the backup destination. Then press Next.
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    2. On this page you can select the backup sources. When ready, press Next.
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    3. On the Filter the backup sources page, you can set include/exclude filters for backup sources. Then press Next.
    4. On the How do you want to backup page, select the Incremental backup type. Press Next.
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    5. On the When do you want to backup page, you can set the backup job to automatically run on the specified time and days. Press Next.
    6. On the Personalize your backup job page, enter a name for the backup in the Backup name field. Press Next.
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    7. In Explore View (F2) of Backup4all, we can see the backup sources
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    How to limit number of file versions

    We will perform several backup executions to see what we get in destination
    1. To start, we open Backup Properties -> Type -> Storage and set the limit for number of file versions at 3
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    2. We selected a folder with one file (“File 01.txt”) as backup source and we run the backup
    3. In destination we will get 1_E.zip file containing “File 01.txt”
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    4. For the 2nd execution, we will modify the existing file (“File 01.txt”)
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    5. In destination we will get 2_E.zip containing the second version of: “File 01.txt”
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    6. For the 3rd execution, we will add a new source file (“File 02.txt”) and also edit the existing file “File 01.txt”
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    7. In destination we will get 3_E.zip containing: “File 01.txt” and “File 02.txt”. Now the limit has been reached for “File 01.txt”
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    8. For the 4th execution, we will add a new source file (“File 03.txt”) and also edit the existing file “File 01.txt”
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    9. In destination we will get 4_E.zip containing: “File 01.txt” and “File 03.txt”
    10. After the 4th version of the file is created, when applying the limit, the oldest backup execution (except the full backup) is deleted The last full backup is never altered, so the oldest version of “File01.txt” to be deleted is in backup no.2 (2_E.zip)
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    How to limit number of backups without merge

    We will perform several backup executions to see how it works
    1. To start, we open Backup Properties -> Type -> Storage and set the limit for number of backups at 3
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    2. We select a folder with one file (“File 01.txt”) as backup source and we run the backup
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    3. In destination we will get 1_E.zip file containing “File 01.txt”
    4. For the 2nd execution, we will add a new source file (“File 02.txt”)
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    5. In destination we will get 2_E.zip containing: “File 02.txt”
    6. For the 3rd execution, we will add a new source file (“File 03.txt”)
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    7. In destination we will get 3_E.zip containing: “File 03.txt”. Now the limit has been reached
    8. For the 4th execution, we will add a new source file (“File 04.txt”)
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    9. In destination we will get 4_E.zip containing: “File 04.txt”. After the 4th version of the file is created, the older backups (except the full backup) are deleted
    10. When the limit is applied, the last full backup is never altered, so backups no.2 and 3 (2_E.zip and 3_E.zip) will be deleted from destination
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    How to limit number of backups with merge

    We will perform several backup executions to see how it works
    1. To start, we open Backup Properties -> Type -> Storage and set the limit for number of backups at 3. Also select the “Merge backups” option
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    2. We select a folder with one file (“File 01.txt”) as backup source and we run the backup
    3. In destination we will get 1_E.zip file containing “File 01.txt”
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    4. For the 2nd execution, we will add a new source file (“File 02.txt”)
    5. In destination we will get 2_E.zip containing: “File 02.txt”
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    6. For the 3rd execution, we will add a new source file (“File 03.txt”)
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    7. In destination we will get 3_E.zip containing: “File 03.txt”. Now the limit has been reached
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    8. For the 4th execution, we will add a new source file (“File 04.txt”)
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    9. In destination we will get 4_E.zip containing: “File 04.txt”. After the 4th version of the file is created, the older backups (except the full backup) are merged
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    10. When the limit is applied, the last full backup is never altered, so backups no.2 and 3 (2_E.zip and 3_E.zip) will be merged into 3_E.zip
    This backup will include “File 02.txt” and “File 03.txt“
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