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How to back up data without using zip compression

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Oct 07, 2019
Backup4all 5.x - 8.x
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This article explains how to back up data keeping the original file format (without using compression). The Mirror backup type is the only one that does not use zip compression. The resulted backup will be an exact copy (mirror) of the source files, without altering their initial file format.

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Backup4all offers four types of backups: full backup, incremental backup, differential backup and mirror backup (the Smart backup type will combine full, differential and incremental types). The Mirror backup type is the only one that does not use zip compression. The resulted backup will be an exact copy (mirror) of the source files, without altering their initial file format. This is the fastest type of backup because there is no file compression and no zip files are created (but occupies the most space).

How to back up data without using zip compression

Steps needed to configure the backup job to use Mirror backup:
  1. Open Backup4all and select File -> New (Ctrl+N).
  2. On the Where do you want to save your backup page, select a destination for the backup. Click Next.
  3. On the What do you want to backup page, add the files and folders to be backed up. Click Next.
  4. On the Filter the backup sources page, you can set include/exclude filters for backup sources. Then press Next.
  5. On the How do you want to backup page, select Make mirror from the drop down list. Press Next.
  6. 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.
  7. On the Personalize your backup job page, enter a name for the backup in the Backup name field.
  8. Click Save -> Save and run.
Once this backup job was defined, you can start the actual backup by pressing the Backup button (or F6).

How to back up only the new and modified files without using zip compression

Using Mirror backup with the Fast Mirror option checked (marked by default), you can back up files and folders without compressing them, and subsequent backups will only copy the new and modified files. The new files will be stored in the same destination folder and the modified files will overwrite the existing files from the backup destination.
Steps needed to configure the backup:
  1. Open Backup4all and select File -> New (Ctrl+N).
  2. On the Where do you want to save your backup page, select a destination for the backup. Click Next.
  3. On the What do you want to backup page, add the files and folders to be backed up. Click Next.
  4. On the Filter the backup sources page, you can set include/exclude filters for backup sources. Then press Next.
  5. On the How do you want to backup page, select Make mirror from the drop down list. Press Next.
  6. 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.
  7. On the Personalize your backup job page, enter a name for the backup in the Backup name field.
  8. Press Advanced mode option and go to Type page. Make sure the Fast mirror option is selected.
  9. Click Save.
Note:
  • Using Tags, the Fast mirror option will be ignored if you choose to create subfolders in the destination with a different name each time.
  • Using the Mirror backup type, only the latest file version will be available for restore.
Once this backup job was defined, you can start the actual backup by pressing the Backup button (or F6). Additionally you can schedule this backup job to be executed automatically at certain time intervals.