Langmeier Backup FAQ

Create backup in the folder of the current weekday

How to Create Dynamic Backup Folders in Langmeier Backup

Langmeier Backup allows you to create dynamic backup folders with ease. This feature enables you to back up your data automatically into a folder named after the current day of the week. By the end of your workweek, you will have five separate backup folders—each containing a copy of your data from a different day.

Step-by-Step Guide

To set up dynamic backup folders, please follow these steps:

  1. In the main window of Langmeier Backup, select a backup item.
  2. In the Destination field, enter the following path (assuming E: is your backup drive):
    E:\Backup from [dddd]

Create dynamic backup folders in Langmeier Backup. This tutorial shows how to back up data into the folder for the current weekday.

After five days, your backup drive will contain folders for each weekday, as shown below:

Dynamic weekday-based backup folders in Langmeier Backup.

However, you may notice that File Explorer displays these folders in an unsorted order, as it sorts alphabetically or numerically. To ensure your folders are always sorted by day of the week, you can use the [w] variable to prefix each folder with the corresponding weekday number (1–7). Update the Destination field as follows (replace E: with your actual backup drive letter):
E:\[w] Backup from [dddd]

Now, when you run a daily backup, your backup drive will look like this after a week:

Sorted weekday backup folders in Langmeier Backup.

To keep your backup folders synchronized, enable the option “Also remove deleted files on backup medium” in the settings of your backup task:

Synchronize backup folders in Langmeier Backup.

Leave all other settings at their default values.

At the end of each week, you will have a backup copy for every day. For even greater data security, rotate your backup media weekly. If you use four different backup drives—reusing the first drive in the fifth week—you can restore your data to any state from up to four weeks ago. If a file is accidentally deleted, you can recover it from any of the previous four weeks.


Other Examples of Variables

Langmeier Backup supports a variety of variables that you can use in your backup folder paths. Here are some useful examples:

Variable:

Description:

[mm.dd.yyyy]

The current date.

[mm.dd.yyyy freeup]

The current date, with the FreeUp option applied (see below).

[mm]

The current month.

[mmmm]

The current month, written out as a word.

[hh-nn-ss]

The time in the format hours, minutes, and seconds.

[dd]

The current day.

[1-7]

Numbers the backup folder between 1 and 7.

[1-7;2]

Numbers the backup folder between 1 and 7, with an increment of 2.

[1-x]

Numbers the backup folder between 1 and x, using the FreeUp option.

[input a]

Prompts you to enter a value for a and inserts it into the path. The value is saved as an environment variable and can be reused in a batch process.

Possible Date Elements in Variables:

Element:

Description:

w

Day of the week as a number (1–7)

ww

Calendar week (1–54)

dd

Day as a number (1–31)

ddd

Day of the week as an abbreviated word (Mon–Sun)

dddd

Day of the week as a word (Monday–Sunday)

mm

Month as a number

mmm

Month as an abbreviated word (Jan–Dec)

mmmm

Month as a word (January–December)

q

Quarter of the year (1–4)

yy

Year, two digits (e.g., 24)

yyyy

Year, four digits (e.g., 2024)

hh

Hour

nn

Minute

ss

Second

Free Up Storage Space Automatically: The FreeUp Option

With the FreeUp option, Langmeier Backup can automatically delete older backup folders when your storage space runs low. If there is not enough space on your backup drive, the program will remove the oldest backup folders until sufficient space is available. You can use the FreeUp option in combination with any variable for maximum flexibility.

Tip: For optimal data protection, consider using multiple backup drives and rotating them weekly. This approach ensures you always have several weeks of backup history available for quick and easy recovery.

about the author
Founder and CEO of Langmeier Software


I don't want to complicate anything. I don't want to develop the ultimate business software. I don't want to be listed in a top technology list. Because that's not what business applications are about. It's about making sure your data is seamlessly protected. And it's about making sure everything runs smoothly while you retain full control and can focus on growing your business. Simplicity and reliability are my guiding principles and inspire me every day.
 

Look it up further: Langmeier Backup, Backup, Data backup, Backup concept

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