Using Fast Backup

Follow these steps to create, repeat and restore a backup.  Advanced options are available when you need them.

Quick Start

Download the appropriate installer from the Download page, open it and follow the instructions.  The 64-bit version is recommended for most Windows computers.

  1. Open Fast Backup and select the folder or drive you want to copy in the From box.
  2. Select the folder or drive that will contain your backup in the To box.
  3. Check the destination carefully, choose any options you need and select Start.

The first backup copies all selected files.  Later backups normally copy only new and changed files.

Fast Backup main window showing the From and To folder selections
Select what you want to back up in From and where the backup should be stored in To.

Running the Same Backup Again

By default, Fast Backup saves the job so it can be run again quickly.  It creates a _FAST-BACKUP folder on the destination drive.

To repeat the backup, open that folder and double-click the Fast Backup icon.  You can also use the desktop shortcut created after the backup.

Backup Options

/KEEPOLD:value (Keep Old Files)

Keeps earlier versions of modified or deleted files in dated _OLD_yyyy_mm_dd folders.  You can keep no old copies, the last backup only, 30 days, 2 months, 6 months, 1 year or the maximum history possible.

/KEEPOLD:ALL keeps the maximum amount of history, but it does not allow history to fill the drive.  When disk space becomes low, Fast Backup automatically removes the oldest _OLD_ folders first.  The default is 2 months.

/BEEP (Beep)

Sounds two short high beeps when the backup succeeds, or one long low beep when it fails or requires attention because a selected USB drive cannot be ejected.

/EJECT (Eject When Finished)

Safely ejects a local removable USB destination after the backup and history logging finish.  Fast Backup keeps retrying if another program is using the drive.

The Windows version is recommended for automatic ejection because it remains visible while retrying.  For the command-line edition, start Fast Backup from a command session whose current drive is not the USB destination.

/HIDDEN (Hidden Files and Folders)

Includes files and folders marked as hidden.

/SYSTEM (System Files and Folders)

Includes Windows system files and folders.  These are normally excluded and generally do not need to be backed up.

/NS (No Sub-Folders)

Copies files from the selected folder without copying its sub-folders.

/X:path (Exclude Folders)

Leaves specified folders out of the backup.  The user interface displays five exclusions, while the command line supports up to 20 /X: options.  Wildcards can be used at the beginning or end of an excluded path.

/AUTORUN (Auto-Run)

Starts the saved backup without prompts.  This is intended for scheduled backups.

/NOSETTINGSLOGSFOLDER (No Settings/Logs Folder)

Does not create the _FAST-BACKUP folder for settings, logs or re-running the backup.  If that folder already exists at the destination, Fast Backup deletes it.

/S:speed (Setting the Speed)

Full speed is normally suitable for a home backup.  If a backup runs across a shared work network, a lower speed can reduce its effect on other users.

The command-line speed can be 100, 75, 50 or 25 percent.  See Built for Speed for more information.

Unless No Settings/Logs Folder is selected, changes to the options and speed are saved in Settings.ini inside the destination's _FAST-BACKUP folder.

Restoring Files

You can browse the current backup and copy an individual file using Windows File Explorer.  Earlier versions are stored in dated _OLD_ folders when Keep Old is enabled.

Fast Backup can also rebuild a folder, or the complete backup, as it was at an earlier restore point without overwriting the current backup.

How to restore to an earlier time
How file history and restore points work

Fast Backup restore point selection

Automatic Backups

Fast Backup can use Windows Task Scheduler to run a saved backup daily, weekly or at another suitable interval.  Create and test a manual backup first so you know that its source, destination and options are correct.

A scheduled backup to a removable drive can run only while that drive is connected.

Set Up an Automatic Backup

Advanced Use

Using Fast Backup from the Command Line

You can use Fast Backup from your own shortcuts, batch files or scheduled tasks.  The available switches and their meanings are listed under Backup Options above.

FAST-BACKUP [FromFolder] [ToFolder] [options]

FromFolder is the folder or drive to be backed up, and ToFolder is the folder or drive that will contain the backup.  Put quotation marks around a path containing spaces.

Repeat /X:path for each excluded folder, up to a maximum of 20.  If an excluded path contains spaces, put quotation marks around the complete option.

The older /FFH switch is still accepted and is equivalent to /KEEPOLD:ALL.

When using /EJECT, the destination must be a local removable USB drive.  The command-line edition refuses to start if its command session is currently on that destination drive and remains running until ejection succeeds.

"C:\My Files"  "\\Server\Backup"  /KEEPOLD:2MONTHS  /S:50  /AUTORUN  "/X:C:\My Files\Temporary Work"

Problems and Further Help

For quick answers and common problems, start with the Frequently Asked Questions.  For unresolved Fast Backup problems, see the Support page.

For safer removable-drive backups, also read Protecting Backups from Ransomware.

After the first backup, Fast Backup copies only new and changed files - so keeping another drive or computer up to date doesn't mean copying everything again.

Ready to Start?

Download Fast Backup and create your first backup in just a few steps.

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