How do I exclude directories from my Windows 7 backup?

windows-7 backup windows-backup exclude

914

Solution 1

You could use a another program instead of the built-in windows utility. I use GFI Backup Home Edition ( http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm/backup-hm-features.htm ) - it's a free version that works pretty well and let's you exclude a directory that's inside a directory you want to back up. It has a good number of available options, and backs up as a copy (so you can still browse through the backup) or as a zip.

Solution 2

If you select the "Let me Choose" option, you can do this. The trick is to ignore (uncheck all boxes in) the section labeled "Data Files". Then, you can select all the folders you want in the "Computer" section.

If you initially check the box under your Users\accountname\ folder, it will check all the subfolders. Then you can drill down and individually un-check the subfolders that you don't want.

If you use this method, you won't need to do the hack where you put all of the files that you don't want to back up in some subdirectory of one of the "libraries" that Windows recognizes.

This link shows the screens in more detail, but it ignores the method I propose. The most important screenshot is the one with the "What do you want to backup?" dialog.

Solution 3

Do you get this screen? Windows Backup

I'd assume chosing "Let me choose" would get you to the desired options...

914

craigrs84

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

craigrs84 almost 2 years
I am seeing extra right padding on radio buttons when ran on Samsung Galaxy S3 on Jellybean API Level 16. (see screenshot). Any idea how to eliminate this extra right padding?

May be related to this issue: Android CheckBox extra padding on TouchWiz

Layout XML looks like this:
```
<FrameLayout
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:background="#ff0000">
    <RadioButton
        android:id="@+id/stw_no_thanks_radio"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="0dp"
        android:layout_margin="0dp"
        android:drawablePadding="0dp" />
</FrameLayout>
```
Thanks.
- Moab over 13 years
  
  Where the hell did they get that screenshot from, it does not exist on my W7 PC. Worthless backup software IMHO. MAybe it was in RC and they got rid if that in the final release.
Matt Alexander over 13 years

That's what I thought. But I don't. I get this: imgur.com/KQZ9w
Windos over 13 years

Can you step back through the steps using the left arrow up the top left?
Matt Alexander over 13 years

@Joshua Yes I can. But I never get to the screen I want.
Windos over 13 years

Ahh, I get the same thing. I think one way to do what you need to do is go to "Let me choose" then manually un-check videos library. iforce.co.nz/View.aspx?i=5iwwjhcf.ogv.gif Or un-check everything under the user data tree (I forget the name) then drill down into the Computer part and select the folders you DO want backed-up. Bit longer than saying "I want to back up everything but this" but it will get the job done.
Matt Alexander over 13 years

@Joshua I don't want to exclude the whole library, just one directory within the video library.
Windos over 13 years

It'd be a pain having to go through manually listing every directory you do want; like it looks like you'll have to with the Windows Backup. Might have to look into third party apps... Edit: Haha like Chuck suggested.