File filters

File filters define which files and folders to skip during the backup process.

File filters are available for both disk-level and file-level backup, unless stated otherwise.

To enable file filters

1. Select the data to back up.
2. Click Change next to Backup options.
3. Select File filters.
4. Use any of the options described below.

Exclude files matching specific criteria

There are two options that function in an inverse manner.

• Back up only files matching the following criteria

  Example: If you select to back up the entire machine and specify C:\File.exe in the filter criteria, only this file will be backed up.

  Note  This filter is not effective for file-level backup if Version 11 is selected in Backup format and the backup destination is NOT cloud storage.

• Do not back up files matching the following criteria

  Example: If you select to back up the entire machine and specify C:\File.exe in the filter criteria, only this file will be skipped.

It is possible to use both options simultaneously. The latter option overrides the former, i.e. if you specify C:\File.exe in both fields, this file will be skipped during a backup.

Criteria

• Full path

  Specify the full path to the file or folder, starting with the drive letter (when backing up Windows) or the root directory (when backing up Linux or macOS).

  Both in Windows and Linux/macOS, you can use a forward slash in the file or folder path (as in C:/Temp/File.tmp). In Windows, you can also use the traditional backslash (as in C:\Temp\File.tmp).

• Name

  Specify the name of the file or folder, such as Document.txt. All files and folders with that name will be selected.

The criteria are not case-sensitive. For example, by specifying C:\Temp, you will also select C:\TEMP, C:\temp, and so on.

You can use one or more wildcard characters (*, **, and ?) in the criterion. These characters can be used both within the full path and in the file or folder name.

The asterisk (*) substitutes for zero or more characters in a file name. For example, the criterion Doc*.txt matches files such as Doc.txt and Document.txt

[Only for backups in the Version 12 format] The double asterisk (**) substitutes for zero or more characters in a file name and path, including the slash character. For example, the criterion **/Docs/**.txt matches all txt files in all subfolders of all folders Docs.

The question mark (?) substitutes for exactly one character in a file name. For example, the criterion Doc?.txt matches files such as Doc1.txt and Docs.txt, but not the files Doc.txt or Doc11.txt

Exclude hidden files and folders

Select this check box to skip files and folders that have the Hidden attribute (for file systems that are supported by Windows) or that start with a period (.) (for file systems in Linux, such as Ext2 and Ext3). If a folder is hidden, all of its contents (including files that are not hidden) will be excluded.

Exclude system files and folders

This option is effective only for file systems that are supported by Windows. Select this check box to skip files and folders with the System attribute. If a folder has the System attribute, all of its contents (including files that do not have the System attribute) will be excluded.

Tip  You can view file or folder attributes in the file/folder properties or by using the attrib command. For more information, refer to the Help and Support Center in Windows.