How to Include-Exclude Files

It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the files they wish backed up are being backed up. It is strongly encouraged that all users wishing to modify Include-Exclude statements confirm/check the backup each time they change any rule or install new software. To check what you have backed up, follow the restore instructions but cancel before restoring the files.

Rather than back up everything on your hard drive you can select to exclude files you KNOW you do not need and confirm file you need are backup. Example of this to exclude are software files that you would re-install from original disks. And include "My Documents" and the desktop.

However, before you exclude software files, such as MS Word, you need to know where it stores your files. Not just your word files that you create, but template files you may create or alter, dictionaries, anything that you have personalized within the program. Every software package will store this information in a different location and you will need to review each package to find out where it is saving your data files, template files, etc.

There are 4 main Include-Exclude statements that you will use regularly:

Exclude	this command can be used to exclude an entire directory, all of its sub-directories, and all files within all of the directories.
Exclude.File	this command will exclude individual files
Include	This command can be used to include an entire directory, all of its sub-directories, and all files within all of the directories.
Include.File	this command will include individual files but it must be issued before the Exclude. Include and Exclude commands are used in conjuction with wildcards. The \...\* (3 periods) is a wild card designation, which when placed after the statement tells it to include (or exclude) all sub directories and files from that point down. See examples below.
NOTE: Exclude.Dir is not an advised command. It will limit your options and you will not be able to add includes to backup files or folders within the space excluded by Exclude.Dir.

The following examples are based on this folder structure.

 

1. Open TSM
   • From the Edit Menu select Preferences
   
   
2. The Preferences screen will open
   • click the Include-Exclude tab
   • From the Category drop down menu select Backup
   • From the Type drop down menu select Exclude
   • From the File or Pattern field enter the path of the desired container in the dialogue box.
   • Click the Add button
   • Your Exclude command will be added to the end of the list.
   
   
   
3. The order of your Includes and Excludes determines what is backed up. If your command is in the wrong order you could not be backing up files you needed. TSM uses the following rules
   • TSM looks for any Exclude.Dir statements first. These commands are performed first. Therefore, if you choose to Exclude.Dir a directory, it will no longer be available to issue an Include later. If you need files within the directory use the Exclude.File or the Exclude statement with wildcards instead. NOTE: We do not recommend using Exclude.Dir - use Exclude with withcards in place of Exclude.Dir
   • All other instructions are performed from the bottom up. Therefore,if you want to exclude a directory but you want one file within it you need to include the file before you exclude the directory. The include will be the last statement in the list, the exclude with be the 2nd last.
   • Click a command and use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to change its position.
   • Use the remove button to remove a command from the list
   • when finished click the Apply button, then the OK button
   • You must exit TSM and restart it before your changes will take effect.
   • To check that your backup is working as you expect, perform a Backup and then check the Restore.

   To Include a Sub-Folder with all of its contents.

   • click the Include-Exclude tab
   • From the Category drop down menu select Backup
   • From the Type drop down menu select Include
   • From the File or Pattern field enter the path of the desired container in the dialogue box.
   • Click the Add button
   • Your Include command will be added to the end of the list.
   
   

   To Include a single file

   • click the Include-Exclude tab
   • From the Category drop down menu select Backup
   • From the Type drop down menu select Include
   • From the File or Pattern field enter the path of the desired container in the dialogue box.
   • Click the Add button
   • Your Include command will be added to the end of the list.
   
4. You should not check if the exclude statements are correct. Best why to do this is backup and then confirm your files are in the backup.