Langmeier Backup FAQ

Versioning with Langmeier Backup: Effortless Access to Previous File Versions

Versioning, also known as historization, is a powerful feature in Langmeier Backup that enables you to retain older versions of your files within your backup sets. By default, when you perform a backup, existing files in your backup destination are overwritten with the latest versions. However, if you wish to access previous iterations of a file at a later time, you would typically need to maintain multiple backup media. With Langmeier Backup’s historization feature, you can easily keep and manage multiple file versions without the hassle.

To enable versioning for a specific item, simply right-click on "Edit element" and select the option Back up files historically:

Once this option is activated, each backup operation will store the new version of the file alongside the existing ones, rather than replacing them. The previous version is renamed using the following format:

Original file name + version date + file extension

The version date reflects the last modification date of the file. The most recent version always retains the original file name. The screenshot below illustrates a folder containing two earlier versions of the file "CV3.docx":

Versioned backups are especially valuable for files that undergo frequent changes over extended periods. Whether you are designing a website, writing a thesis, creating graphics, composing music, drafting manuscripts, or developing source code, versioning ensures that you can always revert to an earlier state of your work.

How to Back Up a Subfolder with Versioning

If you want to enable versioning for a specific subfolder that is already included in a broader backup path, you can add this subfolder separately to your backup task and check the Back up files historically option. Langmeier Backup will then apply versioning to this directory, even as it processes the parent path.

Note: If the file size remains unchanged, Langmeier Backup compares the file’s modification date. Since the accuracy of this date can vary depending on the storage medium (hard drive, CD, USB drive, etc.), files are only versioned if their modification dates differ by at least one minute.

Always Back Up Certain File Types with Versioning

If you want to ensure that specific file types are always backed up with versioning, you can specify these file types in the program options:

Separate multiple file types using a semicolon (;).

Important: This setting does not apply when backing up to FTP servers, tape drives, CD/DVD, or Blu-ray media.

Removing Versioned Files from Your Backup

If you wish to clean up your backup by removing older file versions, you can do so using the built-in clean-up wizard. Within the wizard, select the Remove historicized files option to choose which versions you want to delete.

Restoring Directories to a Previous State

Langmeier Backup’s restore wizard allows you to roll back entire directories to a specific previous date. This feature is particularly useful if you have historically backed up a directory and now need to revert all its contents to an earlier point in time.

Look it up further: Langmeier Backup, Data backup

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