Control panel

The control panel is a new feature introduced with Version 6 and will inform you about all your configured backup tasks and the associated time schedules for automatic backups in a clearly-arranged form. In addition, you can edit time schedules, configure backups using Windows Task Scheduler as well as call additional tools for restore and verification of backed-up data and to clean up backup directories.

You can select the desired function by clicking the buttons on the tool bar on the left of the window. On the right, the associated details will be displayed.

• Backups
• Time-controlled automatic backups
• Backups using Windows Task Scheduler
• Start backup manually
• Additional Tools: Restore, Verification, Delete files
• Close program
• Keep running in background
• Double-click on buj files
• Menus
  • Utilities
  • Program settings, view log files, etc.

Backups

All user-configured backups are displayed as a list.

Display in normal mode

Display in dark mode

The list My backup tasks shows all tasks created by the user. Using the buttons New and Open (to the left) you can add a new backup task or an already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry will show the associated details on the right:

• Name of task (highlighted in red)
• To the right small icons are signaling the most important settings of the selected backup task:
  The files will be compressed on backup.
  The files will be encrypted on backup.
  The files will be compressed and encrypted on backup.
  Security copies will be created during backp.
  External programs will be be run before and/or after the backup.
  An e-mail will be sent after the backup.
  The task is registered in Windows Task Scheduler.
• Description of task (optional): Double-clicking the text field will open a dialog to edit the description ⇒ more information.
• Settings for the backup log: clicking the log mode indicator will open a dialog for changing the backup log settings.
• Destination directory of backups, on backups into zip archives also the archive name
• Information about the destination and the available storage space
• Information about the selected backup method and settings for the optional synchronization
• Information about the associated time schedules (if available)

Further information will be shown when moving the mouse over the particular field:

• Description: task file (buj file) with full path
• Destination directory: a list of all directories to be backed up when running the selected task

Edit list of backup tasks

Create new task: Clicking the New button will start the wizard for creating a new backup task. This will be inserted as a new entry at the beginning of the list.

Add tasks to list: Clicking the Open button will provide access to one or several backup tasks already saved as buj files to the list.

Edit task: To edit the properties of the selected backup task, click the button at the top right. A dialog will open where you can, for example, add other directories for backup or modify the file selection or any other setting.

Time schedules

On the right of the list showing the time schedules associated with the selected task you will find two buttons to configure these. Clicking the upper button will show the details of the selected schedule (here: 2: On logoff ...) for editing, whereas clicking the lower button will add a new additional schedule associated with the selected task ⇒ more information.
 

Other functions

Task scheduler: The currently-selected backup tasks will be added to Windows Task Scheduler to be performed automatically according to the specified time schedule. If this task is already registered. the time schedule can be edited ⇒ more information.

Shortcut: A shortcut on the computer desktop for the currently-selected backup tasks (even several) will be created. By single double-clicking thereon these backups will be started automatically one after another. In addition, you can specify a subsequent action like shutting down the system ⇒ more information.

View log: A viewer window will open to show the log file belonging to the currently-selected backup task. You can inspect the log and print it if required.
 

Start backup: Depending on how many backup task are selected in the list, the further procedure is different:

• One selected task: The selected backup will be started instantly. The Control Panel remains locked until the backup has finished. During backup the user can select an action (e.g. shutdown) to be performed after backup (see here).
• Several selected tasks: A dialog will open in which you can select whether the selected backup tasks should run one after the other or in parallel in the background. In the latter case, the control center remains operable, so that further backups can also be started. However, there is no option to select a subsequent action, such as shutdown.

Additional functions (Tools)

This item brings together the functions for restore, verification and cleanup of files which can optionally also be saved as task files. When selecting a particular function, a list of the associated tasks that were created and saved by the user is shown. In addition, similar to the backup tasks (see above), the details of the selected task are displayed on the right.

• Restore files
• Verify files
• Delete files
• Show log file

Restore files

A summary of all user-configured restore tasks is displayed.

Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of My restore tasks) you can add a new restore task or an already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry will show the associated details on the right:

• Name of restore task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving the mouse over the field)
• Directory to which the data was backed-up
• Directory to which the data is to be restored
• Information about file selection

Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file to the list again by clicking the Open button.

To edit the selected restore task, click the button at the top right. A dialog will open where you can change the settings for this task.

Notes on creating a new restore: When clicking the New button, the important settings for the restore, such as backup directory, settings for compression and encryption and the backup method, will be predefined as specified in the currently selected backup task. The user need only specify where to restore (to the original or to any other directory), if all files or only those of a specified age are concerned and if files already existing shall be overwritten. You will find more information in the detailed description.

Below you will find buttons for the following functions:

• Task scheduler: The selected restore task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule ⇒ more information.
• Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer desktop for the currently-selected restore task. Thereafter the associated restore will be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
• Start restore: The selected restore will be started instantly.

Verify backed-up files

A summary of all user-configured verify tasks is displayed.

Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of My verify tasks) you can add a new verify task or an already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry will show the associated details on the right:

• Name of verify task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving the mouse over the field)
• Backup directory selected for verification
• Directory to be used for comparison
• Information about file selection

Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file to the list again by clicking the Open button.

To edit the selected verify task, click the button at the top right. A dialog will open where you can change the settings for this task.

Notes on creating a new verification: When clicking the New button, the important settings for the verification, such as backup directory and the backup method, will be predefined as specified in the currently selected backup task. The user need only specify how to verify (comparison with the original or any other selected directory) and if all files or only those of a specified age are concerned. You will find more information in the detailed description.

Below you will find buttons for the following functions:

• Task scheduler: The selected verify task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule ⇒ more information.
• Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer desktop for the currently-selected verify task. Thereafter the associated verification will be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
• Start verify: The selected verification will be started instantly.

Delete files

A summary of all user-configured cleanup tasks is displayed.

Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of My cleanup tasks) you can add a new cleanup task or an already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry will show the associated details on the right:

• Name of cleanup task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving the mouse over the field)
• Directory selected to be cleaned up
• Information about file selection

Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file to the list again by clicking the Open button.

To edit the selected cleanup task, click the button at the top right. A dialog will open where you can change the settings for this task.

Notes on creating a new cleanup task: When clicking the New button, the important settings for the cleanup, such as backup directory, will be predefined as specified in the currently selected backup task. The user need only specify whether he wants to delete files as result of a synchronization with the original or any other directory or if he wants to delete all files matching to special filter conditions, such as text patterns and/or age. You will find more information in the detailed description.

Below you will find buttons for the following functions:

• Task scheduler: The selected cleanup task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule ⇒ more information.
• Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer desktop for the currently-selected cleanup task. Thereafter the associated cleanup will be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
• Start cleanup: The selected cleanup will be started instantly.

View log

A viewer window will open to show the default log file. Clicking the appropriate button will print out or delete the log file. Additionally, you can search for the beginning of a backup section (blue arrows), backup errors (red arrows) or any other text. To copy the whole text to the clipboard, no text selection is required. For part of the text, select a section and type Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Ins on your keyboard.

Close program

When you exit the program, all preferences including your selections for automatic backup will be saved.

Move program to background

If at least one of the options for Automatic backups on logoff or at time of day is selected and/or Show icon in notification area is checked, the program will remain running in the background and an icon will appear in the Windows notification area (see below).

Keep running in background

If at least one of the automatic 16 tasks is activated as time controlled or at logoff, this box will be checked by the program and the Personal Backup will not be terminated when closing the main window, but will continue running in the background. An icon will then be displayed in the Windows notification area (usually at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen). Under Windows 7 and newer this icon may initially be hidden, in which case click the arrow adjacent to the notification area to view all hidden icons. To show the icon permanently (recommended), click on the icon and drag it from the hidden list to the notification area.
Furthermore, the program adds a shortcut to the startup folder of the Windows start menu to be started automatically on next user logon if at least one automatic task (time-triggered or on logon/logoff) is active. If the user is logged on as administrator and at least one automatic task is using a Volume Shadow Copy, in addition the Run as administrator flag of this link will be set.
Left-clicking the icon in the notification area will show a list of all pending automatic backups, right-clicking it will call a context menu from which one of several actions can be initiated (e.g. backup, logoff).

Clicking this checkbox will change the program behavior:

• Checked: The program remains running in the background after closing the main window even if no time schedule is configured. A backup can be started manually using the right-click context menu of the icon.
• Unchecked: All automatic tasks will be temporarily disabled. If the main window is closed, the program will be terminated. You must restart the program manually to reactivate the configured automatic tasks.

Start dialog

After double-clicking a saved task file, this dialog will be shown. By clicking one of the buttons, the user can select whether he wishes to open the Control Panel, edit the task or start the associated backup immediately. At the same time, information on the respective backup task is displayed:

• The most important settings for the selected backup are displayed at the top right using small icons. Additional information can be obtained by moving the mouse over the icons (see also).
• Description of the task (if available)
• Destination directory of the backup, also the name of the archive when backing up to zip archives. If you move the mouse over this field, all selected directories to be backed up are also displayed.
• Backup mode of the task (Update, full, differential or incremental)
• Information about the selected backup method and any settings for synchronization

Menus

 Utilities

Configure backup schedules - Launch the add-on program PbPlaner, to configure alternating backup schedules using Windows Task Scheduler.

External Restore program

Restore files - Launch the add-on program PbRestore to select single files from backup (even when compressed and encrypted) for restore to any location.

Restore from zip archive - Launch the add-on program PbRestore to restore files from a zip archive in which also archives with encrypted filenames are supported.

Start Backup under different account - Launch the add-on program PbStarter to configure backups so that they will be started under a different user account. This is good way to protect the backups from manipulation by malware.

Thunderbird mail backup - Launch the add-on program TbBackup to help less-experienced Thunderbird users to backup and restore their mail data.

Backup files from a portable device - Launch the add-on program DeviceBackup, which can be used to back up data from a mobile device (e.g. Android smartphone).

Real-time backup of data - Launch the add-on program PbWatchdog to start backups of selected directories automatically in background after changes are recognized.

User defined utilities - You can add any program to the list, for example a Text Editor or a File Manager.

 Program settings, view log files, etc.

Actions

Manage backup tasks

Configure backup time schedules

Use Windows Task Scheduler

Start selected backup tasks

Edit selected backup task

Create new backup task

Create new Thunderbird backup

Restore files from backup

Verify backed-up files

Clean up backup directory

Close Personal Backup

Delete task files ... - Over time, more and more tasks for backup, restore, cleanup and verify will be accumulating. They are stored in the task directory as files using the extensions buj (Backups), rsj (Restores), cuj (Cleanups) and vfj (Verifications). Depending on the active function in the tool bar at the left, you can select the appropriate task files in a dialog and delete them.

Logs

Selected task

Show log ... - Display and optionally print the log file of the currently selected backup task

Delete log ... - Delete the log file of the currently selected backup task

Show other log ... - Select and display any log file

Show error log ... - Display the list of failed backups

Delete old log files ... - Delete all log files from the current log directory older than an adjustable fixed date or older than a selectable number of days, weeks, months or years relative to the current date.

FTP communication log (see here)

View ... - Display the FTP communication log file

Delete ... - Delete the FTP communication log file

Mail delivery log (see here)

View ... - Display the mail delivery log file

Delete ... - Delete the mail delivery log file