Welcome to Zback!

PROJECT:  Zback - portable backup and synchronize tool for Windows 9x, 2000, XP, Vista and up.

                     (c) by Davor Zorc, Zagreb, Croatia , 2001., 2009. Freeware for personal use.

PURPOSE: 
1) Synchronize directories for routine backup, for example between hard drive and USB drive or synchronize two computers via USB drive.

2) General purpose backup utility to save changes in work directories

FEATURES:
- portable - no setup needed. Works from USB stick, does not write to the registry
- copy modes: update files, refresh existing files or mirror source to target
- filter files based on extension, size, date, subdirectories
- preview and execute operation
- save backup scripts for routine backups
- manual, batch or command line operation
- small size (150 kB)
- personal freeware
 

DOWNLOAD:

• No Spyware, Trojans, Viruses, or Advertisements
• No nag screens, no registrations, no payments
• No time limit, no limitations
• No unauthorized Internet connections

Go to Zback homepage  http://www.fsb.hr/~dzorc/zback.html  and  then Download latest version Zback 1.60 (cca 180 kByte).

HOW TO USE:

Manual mode is used for one time backup, while batch mode is used for routine backups. In manual mode you may set all the options and then click [Add2batch] button to add it to batch command list. Batch commands are DOS like command lines which can be saved in textual files (*.BAL) for further use.

In manual mode you set source and target directory and set copy mode:

• update - adds new files to target and updates new versions of existing files. This mode may be unidirectional >> or bidirectional <> (synchronization mode)
• refresh existing files - only updates files that already exist on target  (unidirectional >> or bidirectional <>)
• mirror source to target - target will be identical as source (it adds new files to target, updates existing, deletes surplus files and directories from target, overwrites target files even if newer then source). Use this mode only if you are sure that target files may be discarded.
• copy all - copies all source files to target regardless of which is newer
• erase source - erases files from source, no copy (useful for erasing temporary files)

Set the direction [Src >> Target], [Target << Src] or bidirectional [Src.1 <> Src.2]. For general backup use, it is good to choose default backup (target) location, for example D:\BACKUP.

You can choose to copy all files or use several filters:

• include only specific file type (for example *.doc)
• exclude specific file type (for example *.exe, *.chm)
• include only between file dates
• include based on file size
• include subfolders

After those settings click on [Make List] to get preview in the to-do list of what files will be copied/ deleted. On the to-do list you can click on [>>] icons or use right-click for menu of actions. This way you can uncheck lines that you do not want to be executed or you can change copy direction or do other actions. When you are satisfied, click [Execute List] to start copy files.

In batch mode you [Load] batch file(s) or create new one and then you have two options:

• use [Make Batch List] and then [Execute Batch List], or
• use [Batch Run] to execute immediately command lines one by one (this is one-click operation but you do not have preview).

Backup Batch line format:

SourceDir\Mask  > TargetDir  [/mode [options]]

# This is example batch command script for routine backups (*.bal)
c:\work\*.*  >  d:\backup\work  /us   #(backup current work to D:)
c:\work\*.*  >  f:\work  /ms          #(make mirror on stick F:) 

Mode:
u= Update   (= Refresh existing files+ add New files)  (default mode!)
r= Refresh existing files only
m= Mirror source to target (= Refresh + New + Erase surplus TargetDir files)
c= Copy all files
e= Erase SourceDir files (for example.: c:\work\*.tmp  > <nul>   /es)

Options:
b= bidirectional action <> (not for Mirror/ Copy All/ Erase Source!)
s= recourse subfolders too
y= ask before processing line
d= filter out source files older then date  (d=[dd.mm.yyyy])
x= delete source files after copy (caution!)

?:   = prompt user to enter (target) drive (? is wildcard for drive letter)
?=k  = define target ? drive to be drive k:
#    = comment line
##   = stop processing batch list after line starting with ##

To-do line prefixes:
[ = create directory
+ = copy file
* = delete file
$ = delete surplus directory on target
# = comment line

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• Zback.BAL file is automatically loaded at startup, if it exists
• BAL files may also be located in MAINTAIN subdirectory
• default directory name for backup files is \BACKUP
• you can [Load..] multiple batch files at once (they will be appended)
• you can specify BAL file as command line parameter1
• you can specify batch command line as parameter1 (with " ")
• if you set command line parameter2 /r it will auto-start [Batch Run]
• deleted files can be restored from Recycle bin
• daylight saving time on NTFS drives may affect getting correct file date

LEGAL:

• This program is PERSONAL FREEWARE but requires payment to the author if used for commercial work or used in for-profit or government organization. Commercial use requires written license by the author.
• The author holds (c) for program concept, look and feel, functionality and actual implementation. It is prohibited to copy, emulate, clone, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile, disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed program, or any subset of the licensed program, except as provided for in this agreement. 
• Distribution of original package is allowed if it is free and if author name is mentioned.
• Mentioned hardware and software products are (c) of their producers.
• "Zback" IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS". NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. YOU USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DATA LOSS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF LOSS WHILE USING OR MISUSING THIS SOFTWARE.

Last update: 06.04.2009
 

Suggestions, comments and bug reports are welcome.
Davor Zorc Homepage:   http://www.fsb.hr/~dzorc/index.html