Tutorial 2: Set up automatic incremental backup

Task:
Set up automatic incremental backup for the work's folders every day at 16:30.

Backup is the most frequently used operation type. It is used for saving your important files into another storage location. If some files are corrupted or lost in the original folder, you can easily restore them from the backup copies.

Incremental backup is the program which copies only files that have been changed since previous backup; files are compared by a date and time of the last change (comparison rules of a job). The advantages of this backup type are quite obvious - less amount of data to operate with, less time is necessary to perform backup operation.

For example, you have three work's folders which you do want to backup daily once a day:

Work's foldersBackup folders
c:\My documents z:\backup\My documents
c:\My pictures z:\backup\My pictures
c:\My stuff z:\backup\My stuff

Solution:
The task is divided into 2 steps:
Step 1: Creating a new job
Step 2: Scheduled job execution

Step 1: Creating a new job

  • To create a new Job, click the button New Job on the main toolbar or press Ctrl+N shortcut. This opens the Job wizard window.

  • In the window Job wizard on the page Job settings type a name for your Job. For example, 'Backup work's folders'. Choose the page Comparing folders by clicking on the appropriate item in the list which occupies top-left part of the page Job settings.

  • On the page Comparing folders you should add folder pairs for comparison and synchronization. Click the button Add pair or press Ins. The window Add/Edit a pair will appear.

  • In the window Add a pair select folder "c:\My documents" in the left tree, and folder "z:\backup\My documents" in the right tree. Press the button Ok to add these selected folders as a pair. The pair "c:\My documents <-> z:\backup\My documents" will be added into the Folder pairs list.

  • Using the same way, add another two pairs into the Folder pairs list:
       "c:\My pictures <-> z:\backup\My pictures"
       "c:\My stuff <-> z:\backup\My stuff"
    When you add pairs go to the page Synchronize methods.

  • On the page Synchronize methods set the method Copy files from Left to Right. This method copies files that have been changed since previous backup from the Left folders to the Right folders. So the Right folders (backup folders) will be equal and updated with the most recent files from the Left side folders (work's folders). After this go to the page Comparison rules.

  • On the page Comparison rules turn on checks: Size, Timestamp, Attributes. HAS will compare files by a size, date and time of the last change, attributes. Choose the page Scheduling.

  • On the page Scheduling in the group Enable scheduler select always. This makes enable scheduler controls.

  • To setup automatic synchronization at every day at 16:30:00. You can see the real dates of executions, calculated on stateded settings in the List of nearest executions.

  • Turn on option Run missed schedules at the program startup if you need to periodically switch off your computer and some scheduled jobs can be missed. If this option is checked, the program will detect all missed (scheduled but not executed on time) items and execute them at startup program.

  • Click the button Save Job to save a created job. The job 'Backup work's folders' will appear in the Main window.

    Step 2: Scheduled job execution

  • The job state will be waiting. In the column Next run in the main window you can see the date when the job 'Backup work's folders' will start automatically. Scheduler can execute jobs automatically when HAS is running only. You can setup HAS to run it automatically at log on, for more information see the work in "silent" mode.

  • You can execute the job in background mode before Next run time is coming. Select the job and click the button Execute on the main toolbar or press Ctrl+R. The executing job in background mode does not change the scheduler settings.

  • You can execute the job in the detailed mode before Next run time is coming. Select the job and click the button Visual run on the main toolbar. The executing job in the detailed mode turn off the scheduler settings.

    Notes:

  • Scheduler can execute jobs automatically when HAS is running only. Turn on Run at Logon check on the options general page to run HAS automatically at Windows startup. For more information see the work in "silent" mode.
  • To view information about job settings click the button Job info on the main toolbar.
  • To edit job settings click the button Edit job on the main toolbar. The editing job turns off the scheduler settings.

    See also:
       Quick start tutorial
       Work in "silent" mode