How to set file filters in Cloud Backup

File filters is a backup option that allows you to define which files/folders to skip during the backup process. It is available for both file-level and disk-level backup, unless otherwise stated.

If you want to know how to create a backup using Cloud Backup, click the link below:

• How to create a backup using Cloud Backup

Setting Up File Filters

Here’s how to set up file filters in Cloud Backup:

1. Access the Cloud Backup Console.
2. Click Devices on the left menu bar to open the list of all computers/devices connected to the Cloud Backup.
3. Select the computer/device you want to back up, then click Backup on the right menu.
4. Click Add Backup Plan. If you don’t have a Backup Plan yet, you will be directed to a New Backup Plan template.
5. Click on the Gear icon to open a list of Backup options.
6. Click File Filters then make the necessary specifications to the set up. See option descriptions below for your reference.
7. Click DONE to save settings.

Congratulations! You have just set up file filters in Cloud Backup.

Filter Files Matching Specific Criteria

There are two fields which function in inverse manners:

• The “Back up only files matching the following criteria” field.
  For example, if the entire machine is selected for back up and C:\File.exe is specified in the filter criteria, only the specified file will be backed up.
  

  Note: This is not effective for file-level backups unless the backup destination is set to Cloud Storage. If you want to know how to select a destination to backup using Cloud Backup, click here.

• The “Do not back up files matching the following criteria” field.
  For example, if the entire machine is selected for back up and C:\File.exe is specified in the filter criteria, only the specified file will be skipped.

Both options can be selected simultaneously. However, the latter option will override the former. For example, if C:\File.exe is specified in both fields, the specified file will be skipped during the backup.

Specifying a Criteria

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

• Specifying the full path.
  Starting with the drive letter when backing up Windows or the root directory when backing up Linux/OS X, specify the full path to the file or folder.
  You can use a forward slash in the file/folder path, as in C:/Temp/File.tmp, in both Windows and Linux/OS X. In Windows, you can also use the backslash, as in C:\Temp\File.tmp.
• Specifying the name.
  Specify the file/folder name, such as Document.txt. All files and folders with the specified name will be selected.

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

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

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

The “Exclude hidden files and folders” Option

Selecting this checkbox will allow the program to skip files/folders that have the Hidden attribute for file systems 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 will be excluded, including files that are not hidden.

The “Exclude system files and folders” Option

This option is effective only for file systems supported by Windows. Selecting this checkbox will allow the program to skip files/folders with the System attribute. If a folder has the System attribute, all of its contents will be excluded, including files that do not have the System attribute.

Tip: The file or folder attributes can be viewed in the file/folder properties or by using the attrib command. You may refer to the Help and Support Center in Windows for more information.