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    Using Backup4all - FAQ

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    This article applies only to Backup4all. If you don't have it yet, you must download it first.

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    Aug 20, 2019
    Backup4all - all versions
    We strive to keep our articles as accurate as possible. If you notice any inconsistencies or outdated info please let us know.
    This section contains answers for questions regarding how to use Backup4all to its full potential.

    On this page:

    I receive an error message "Backup4all application has stopped working" on Windows Vista. Why?

    You receive this message because Backup4all does not work when Windows Vista DEP (Data Execution Prevention) is activated at the maximum level
    To correct this, you should disable DEP for Backup4all. Please follow these steps to disable DEP for Backup4all:
    1. Open Control Panel
    2. Select System & Maintenance
    3. Click System
    4. Click Advanced system Settings
    5. Click the Advanced tab
    6. Click Performance Settings
    7. Click the Data Execution Prevention tab
    8. Set (check) the Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only option. If you want, you can specify an exclusion list and you can add Backup4all in that list
    9. You will be asked to restart the computer

    How to clear Host Key cache There are two ways to clear the Host Key cache:

    1. Open Backup4all, go to File -> Options -> Online destinations -> SFTP and press the Clear cache button
    2. Manually delete all files from cache. To find the cache location, go to Options -> Application folders -> Override settings folder

    How to check that a Host Key is in Backup4all cache

    To check that a Host Key is in Backup4all cache, follow these steps:
    1. Get the IP or name and the port of the sftp server. To find it, go to Properties -> Destination -> SFTP
    2. Locate cache folder. To do that, go to Options -> Application folders and see the path in Override settings folder field
    3. Browse to host keys folder and locate file with IP or name followed by port.

    How to avoid "Do you trust this server" message

    There are two ways you can avoid "Do you trust this server" message
    1. Go to Properties -> Destination -> SFTP -> Edit configuration. Under Advanced section, uncheck the Verify host key option
    2. Check the "Always trust this host, add this key to cache" option when connecting to server

    How can I run a backup using the command line?

    Command line works with a backup job configuration file (".ini") or a backup catalog file (".bkc"). You can create a valid ".ini" file from Backup4all's interface and use the full path to this file as a parameter of the command line application. Typically the ".ini" files are located in the "AppData\\Softland\\Backup4all 8\\Catalogs\\" folder of your user profile. After the first backup execution, a ".bkc" file is created in the destination. You can use this ".bkc" file also (again with the full path) as parameter of the command line application

    How does Backup4all handle archive bit for backed up files?

    By default Backup4all does not modify the archive flag. Backup4all uses its own catalog file (".bkc") to keep track of the new and changed files. One advantage of a catalog is faster backup executions. Another advantage is that you can run Backup4all together with other backup applications because they will not interfere with each other. However if you want to set the Archive bit, you can do that from the Type -> Storage page of the Backup Properties window

    Can I backup to tape using Backup4all?

    No. The current version does not support tape drives

    Backup4all skipped some files when backing up and returned the error "The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file". How can I fix this?

    Backup4all uses the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to back up open/locked files. Under certain circumstances the VSS service fails to run properly and Backup4all will not be able to backup some locked files (log file will show “The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file.” or “The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process”). In case of such errors please read carefully and follow the solutions given in the following PDF file to try and fix the VSS service problem: Troubleshooting the Volume Shadow Copy Service

    Backup4all does not recognize my CD/DVD/Blu-ray burner. How can I backup to CD/DVD/Blu-ray?

    If the burner is not recognized or you have problems backing up to CD, DVD or Blu-ray, please go to File -> Options -> CD, DVD or Blu-ray and select the option: "Use SCSI Pass Through Direct Layer (SPTD)". Restart the computer and try again

    Can I backup open files with Backup4all?

    Yes you can backup open or locked files with Backup4all as long as your system meets some requirements:
    • you have Backup4all version 3 (or higher) installed
    • you have administrator access rights to copy open files
    • you are using Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server or newer
    • the files reside on local NTFS partitions (will not work on shared network drives)
    • the Volume Shadow Copy service is running

    Can I backup registry files?

    No, Backup4all cannot back up/restore the entire Windows Registry, nor it can back up or restore individual registry keys added manually when creating a backup job
    However, through the plugin system it's possible to create a plugin which backs up not only files, but registry entries too. For further information on how a plugin can be created, please see this tutorial: How to create a backup plugin

    What is the Backup4all OTB edition?

    The OTB edition is a limited functionality version of Backup4all Professional edition. This edition is distributed as a bundled product with hardware parts (USB drives, enclosures, hard drives etc.) through our OEM partners, therefore end-users can buy that only from our partners and only as a part of that package offered
    We do not sell it on our site nor we distribute it to end-users directly. This edition is intended to be distributed only by our partners
    Users can buy from our site one of the other three editions: Lite, Standard or Professional. For information about pricing please refer to the Buy Now section of this website

    I use incremental backup to removable disk (CD/DVD/Blu-ray). How can I make sure only the new and modified files are backed up?

    If for that backup job in Backup Properties -> Advanced you had the option Use local catalogs (.bkc) checked when you did the backup, then you just have to run the backup job normally because Backup4all will recognize the modified files and backup only those. If you didn't have that option checked you must insert the CD/DVD/Blu-ray with the latest backup catalog (".bkc") file and then perform the backup. The system will read the ".bkc" file and build the list of new and modified files. Then press backup and you will be asked to enter a new CD/DVD/Blu-ray (if the Ask for a new disk before backup option is set in the Options window, Backup page). Only new files will be copied to the new CD/DVD/Blu-ray

    How can I restore an older version of one file?

    To restore an older version of a file you need to select the file from Explore view. Then look for available versions in the list displayed below the file and folder tree. Select the version you want to restore, right-click on it and choose Restore or Restore to...

    How can I run a backup when I am not logged in to Windows?

    Please follow these steps:
    1. After you created the backup job, click on Properties (Ctrl+P) button
    2. In the Scheduler page, press Add button
    3. In the Scheduler section, select Run whether the user is logged on or not option
    4. Click on Set password, enter your Windows login password
    5. After pressing OK, a new window will open and you have to select when to run the backup
    6. Press Save

    Is there a maximum file size Backup4all can backup?

    No, Backup4all can back up files with virtually unlimited sizes
    Backup4all can back up files using zip compression or without any compression at all. When no compression is used, files are simply copied so as long as you have enough space in the destination there is no limit. When zip compression is used, if the size of the resulting zip file exceeds 4Gb than Backup4all will use the ZIP64 technology to create the zip file and again there is no file size limit. However, if you want to restore the backup from a zip file larger than 4Gb without using Backup4all, the zip utility used must be compatible with ZIP64 technology (which most of the newer zip utilities now support)

    How can I make a full restore?

    Open the Restore Wizard by clicking on the Restore button. Select the standard Restore type and click Finish

    Does Backup4all back up and restore NTFS file and folder permissions?

    Yes, starting with version 4, Backup4all is able to back up and restore NTFS file and folder permissions

    Which Operating Systems are Compatible with Backup4all?

    Backup4all is compatible with the 32/64-bits versions of Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7/Vista/XP and Windows Server 2012/2008/2003. It is not compatible with Macintosh and Linux systems (you can however try using emulator software for MAC, such as Parallels Desktop for Mac, or for Linux, such as Wine)

    How can I restore one or more files?

    To restore the latest version of one file you need to select the file from Explore view, right click on it and select Restore Latest Version or Restore Latest Version To... If you want to restore more than one file, you can select all of them in Explore view and restore the latest version using the right-click menu (as mentioned above).