Several months ago wrote article backup Linux home directory including data application settings plus encryption using simple tools present every Linux system usable anywhere anytime then got emails suggestions calling equivalent tutorial Windows
At first considered command-line guide Windows shell scripts but decided simpler most people use Windows visually visual article show how backup all user data application program settings create zipped archive encrypt it portable copy your stuff should ever need perhaps migrating new machine let's start
Overview of the necessary data
Typical modern Windows machine several user-specific locations data accumulates over years referring primarily what sits under C:\Users\Your username so if user called Dedo data sits under C:\Users\Dedo but there's more two primary locations:
- C:\User\Your username — Various folders, review shortly
- C:\ProgramData — Folders containing some settings logs many programs
Note personally do NOT use user folders My Pictures My Documents alike always keep data separate partitions (drives G: K:) system stuff personal stuff separate that said generic data related user account program data still sit expected C: locations examine what we have
User data
Under user account many folders some hidden default allow Explorer show hidden files folders they listed semi-transparent shade note won't necessarily see all folders listed screenshot below some specific your choice software
General this what you have under user:
- 3D Objects — existing 3D objects 3D design Windows 10 ignore unless created placed own objects there
- AppData — Super important contains configurations most programs like Firefox Thunderbird profile Skype profile Notepad++ settings plugins more if anything most important folder backup
- Contacts — keep contacts Windows contacts app saved here
- Desktop — desktop with shortcuts applications links other files keep there
- Documents — My Documents essentially even NOT keep own files many programs games use default location example SimCity4 ArmA 3 keep maps game saves assets here
- Downloads — default download location stuff goes yonder
- Favorites — locations saved Internet Explorer or Window Explorer
- Links — similar above show sidebar Window Explorer
- MicrosoftEdgeBackups — Windows 10 only dated backup archives bunch items including folder silly name 'Protected - It is a violation of Windows Policy to modify' totally inspires users not look odd backup this if like perhaps use Edge but app settings stored elsewhere so backup of backup
- Music — as name says
- OneDrive — use OneDrive files replicated cloud here
- Pictures — as name says
- Saved Games — some games may use instead whatever other location choose
- Searches — offline search results saved here
- Tracing — tracing enabled various Windows programs log saved here
- Videos — as name implies
In my case usage-specific folders like .docker .VirtualBox don't use these products won't see them VirtualBox VMs contain VM configurations virtual hard drives not good location keep them clobbers C: drive system image bigger than necessary also shares same disk host running VM reduced performance just example
Program data
Other important location ProgramData program settings logs not necessarily specific user overrides but things apply specific software globally note location lists all software often including preinstalled machine (if any) plus programs may have removed less critical data than user stuff but still consistency worth backing up now and then
Backup tool: Karen's Replicator
Now need something move all this data backup location preferred program task good ole classic Karen's Replicator simple robust elegant data copy replication tool recently updated support Windows 8.1 10 read article on topic if like
Talked about program past including overview capabilities but briefly touch settings need edit change create replication task step one main interface click Edit Settings takes separate view edit existing jobs create new ones alter program's global settings
After click New Job fill details job name source user account top-level folder (C:\Users\Your username) or ProgramData (C:\ProgramData) or anything like can also backup subsets data inside folders but task at hand want these two user data first priority destination folder any location like second hard disk different machine network
Default new job configured include sub-folders several file change detection methods new job not configured replication so select right box for that essentially means delete file destination not exist source default backup accumulate files copy overwrite existing but not delete removed in source recommend replication method job also default schedule daily run 0100 hours (mind them Active Hours) alter whatever suits best
Also configure filters default filters tell job which files include unless tick box says Exclude cases only files NOT matched filter copied default action covers all files except global exclusions (temporary files trash etc) use presets or create new filters own recommendation leave as is all files because don't know what might need one day file exists user folder having backed up won't hurt
Password protection: 7-Zip
Files successfully replicated backup location say D:\Backup create password-protected (encrypted) archive same did gpg with tar Linux allows copy archive external disks other (less safe) locations maybe even email inbox wherever think suitable but files reasonably safe accidental incidental deliberate access
7-Zip super-handy program job create archives many formats zip 7z with latter encrypt archive as well as names files inside right-click backup folder select Add to archive window opens provide password Encryption section tick box Encrypt file names leave existing AES-256 encryption method considered secure industry standard
That's it repeat process program data too but most essential part done backups important user data including application settings game saves possibly documents also encrypted portable archive store safely use restore system migrate new machines saves whole lot time headache
Does this work?
Tried method countless times XP to Windows 10 machines everything between each time replication restore worked reliably able create identical near-identical setups within minutes applications using existing setting other systems as though always been there really lot freedom flexibility much like Linux example allows tinker configure user as like if issue have backups prevents tears hear loss all at once!
สรุป
Hopefully useful practical guide not command-line tutorial Linux example because felt most people spend more time putting together necessary scripts than focus backing data up use Karen's Replicator 7-Zip provides most users simple straightforward utilities create encrypted backups user account data Windows
Now not stop there 7-Zip command line so combination Replicator's scheduled tasks fully autonomous independent secure backup scheme then feel all comfy perhaps experiment Powershell but believe tools here more than adequate most if not all scenarios there backups essential data extremely important personal files user account information make recovery bad situations migration new systems quick painless exercise and that would be all
Cheers.
