Langmeier Backup FAQ

Normally, Windows backup software only performs automatic backups when a Windows user is logged in. However, especially with servers and PCs used as servers, there is usually no user logged on. Nobody is logged on and the computer faithfully runs its Windows services. But even during these operating times, data worth saving is produced.

How can this problem be solved? In this case, Langmeier Backup should be run as a Windows service. This means that a data backup is performed even if the computer is running but no user is logged on. As a result, you have an automatic Windows backup or an automatic data backup.

To change the operating mode of Langmeier Backup to operation as a Windows service

1. Click on "Options" in the main window:

2. Click on the "Program behavior..." button:

3. Activate the "Run as Windows service" option here:

Backup notifications when running as a Windows service

A Windows service does not perform any user interaction when the user is logged off. It is therefore advisable to activate the backup log in the options. Have the backup log sent to you by email to receive an active notification. Check the log regularly to ensure smooth operation of the data backup or have it checked by the person responsible.

Note: Before Langmeier Backup, version 8.0.422, there were no screen notifications about executed data backups when running as a Windows service. In all newer versions, Langmeier Backup can also display backup notifications and backup status on the screen of a logged-in user.

File permissions when running as a Windows service

By default, every Windows service is executed under the SYSTEM user. However, a backup program often does not have sufficient permissions under the SYSTEM user to successfully execute an automatic Windows backup or an automatic data backup of the system including all user data. To do this, the SYSTEM user would have to be given extended authorizations in order to successfully create a backup.

Solution: Open the backup task in Langmeier Backup and open the top backup path in the backup task by double-clicking on it. Then enter the correct login information of the administrator user under the "Login" tab. The user information entered here is only valid for the current backup task:

To save the login information for all backup tasks, proceed as follows

Enter the administrator's logon information under the properties of the Windows service. Open the Windows Control Panel and select "Administrative Tools" and then "Services". In the list of Windows services, right-click on the "Langmeier Backup Service" service and then select "Properties". Under the "Login" tab, you will find the option to enter login information. The login information entered here applies to all backups performed by Langmeier Backup. They become active as soon as you restart the service.

Please note: Connected network drives - for example those with drive letters X:\ - are not available in a Windows service. The network drives connected in this way are only available in a Windows service if a logon script or a script before the backup ensures the connection.

Therefore: Use UNC network paths in the form \\server name\share name in the backup task instead, not network drives such as X:\.

And: When backing up to the network, you must also enter a user in the Windows service of Langmeier Backup, since users without login data such as the system user (under which Langmeier Backup runs by default) cannot access network shares for security reasons. Please read the article "If the network backup fails in automatic mode".

Domain user accounts

Domain user accounts must first be physically logged on to the computer before they can be used in a Windows service. This is because Windows only creates the necessary settings and folders for the Langmeier Backup data backup service to be able to successfully create a data backup once the user has logged on correctly.

The operation of Langmeier Backup as a Windows service is available in all products

Langmeier Backup 9 Professional
Langmeier Backup 9 Business

Langmeier Backup 9 Server
Langmeier Backup 9 V-flex Starter
Langmeier Backup 9 V-flex Pro
Langmeier Backup 9 V-flex Unlimited

Look it up further: Langmeier Backup FAQ, Windows service, Network backup, Network data backup, automatic backup, automatic data backup

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