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SyncBack suggestion: Delete files no longer in profile

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Willyv
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Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:27 pm

SyncBack suggestion: Delete files no longer in profile

Post by Willyv »

Most of my backups are to large USB disks with plenty of space but I also back up my most essential files to a 16 GB USB pin. Of course this will run out of space from time to time and I then modify my profile to exclude some files or folders from the backup.

The problem is that files that were previously in the profile but that I don't want to back up anymore will remain on the destination. I have to delete them manually to free up the space I need, which can be quite tedious.

I understand the safety aspect of this. SyncBack shouldn't just go about deleting backed up files on its own, especially since the files in this case still exist on the source.

But just like I can set up rules to decide which files to keep and delete in other situations, I'd like to be able to decide that files which are no longer in the profile should be deleted.

I suggest adding the following new function under Decisions – Files:

What to do if a file exists on [destination] but is not in the profile

o Delete file from [destination] if it hasn't been modified within the last XX days

o Prompt me (skips file if run from command line)

o Do nothing, skip the file

When a user has decided that files that are no longer in the profile should be deleted from the destination, it would be good if the profile run could delete these files (and other files to be deleted) as the first step in the profile run. Space will then be made available on the destination before copying new files. Maybe SyncBakc already does this.

Willy
Dave Wilkins
2BrightSparks Staff
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Posts: 131
Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:02 am

Re: SyncBack suggestion: Delete files no longer in profile

Post by Dave Wilkins »

Sorry, not compatible with the internal design. When you modify your profile, you are telling it to ignore such files (on both sides). This is a design decision.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/help/index ... rticle=281

The less tedious way to remove unwanted files (compared to cherry-picking & manual deleting) is to simply delete all of them, then re-run the backup, and go do something enjoyable while it runs. Let the software do the work.
Willyv
Newbie
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Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:27 pm

Re: SyncBack suggestion: Delete files no longer in profile

Post by Willyv »

Thanks Dave, I see your points.

Willy
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