Consecutive Partial (Incremental) Backup with Hardlinks

The following instructions explain which settings are needed in the Profile Properties for an incremental partial backup with hardlinks.

Backup Plan

Files to backup: C:\Data
Full backup: C:\FullBackup
Partial backup with hardlinks: C:\PartialBackup

Monday: Full backup
Tuesday: 1. partial backup with hardlinks
Wednesday: 2. partial backup with hardlinks
Thursday: 3. partial backup with hardlinks
Friday: 4. partial backup with hardlinks

A total of 2 profiles are required. The 1 profile creates the full backup. The 2. profile creates the partial backup and the hardlinks from the files of the full backup.

Profile Properties: Full Backup

1. Profile properties

Open the profile properties of a profile, or create a new profile. If the Profile Wizard opens, exit it by clicking on Cancel.

2. Copy mode

Select Backup copy mode.

3. File options

Activate Expert Mode, and in the left menu below Copy Modes click on File Options. Activate the option Modify attributes of source file and the suboption Archive – Delete.

4. Source and destination folders

In the left menu select Folders. In the left folder list add the folder containing the data to be backed up (C:\Data). In the right folder list add the destination folder in which the full backup is to be created (C:\FullBackup).

5. Saving your settings

You have now completed all the requisite settings. Conclude by clicking on OK. Now you can create a copy preview of the profile and examine the results of the settings you have made.

Profile Properties: Partial Backup

1. Profile properties

Open the profile properties of a profile, or create a new profile. If the Profile Wizard opens, exit it by clicking on Cancel.

2. Copy mode

Select Backup copy mode.

3. Copy rules

Activate the copy rule Copy only files with the 'Archive' attribute. Deactivate the sub-option Filter files without 'Archive' attribute

4. Folder options

Activate Expert Mode, and in the left menu below Copy Modes click on Folder Options. Activate the option Don't create any empty folders in source or destination folder.

5. Backup options

In the left menu below Copy Modes, select Backup Options.

Activate the option Create differential backup on the basis of complete backup. Enter the folder of the full backup at the text box 'Complete Backup' (C:\FullBackup).
Activate the option Create hardlinks.
Activate the option Create backup folder at destination.
Activate the option Generations of backups to be created and set the generations to 4 (from tuesday to friday).

6. Source and destination folders

In the left menu select Folders. In the left folder list enter the folder containing the data to be backed up (C:\Data). In the right folder list add the destination folder in which the partial backup folder is to be created (C:\PartialBackup).

7. Saving your settings

You have now completed all the requisite settings. Conclude by clicking on OK. Now you can create a copy preview of the profile and examine the results of the settings you have made.