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 (180 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
• No installation needed - just unzip to any directory on a fixed or removable drive

Go to Zback homepage  http://www.fsb.hr/~dzorc/zback.html  and  then Download latest version  (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 first set Source and Target directory, then set copy mode:

• update - copy new files from source to target directory and updates to new versions of existing files. This is default mode, good for backup files to other disk, external USB drive or stick
• refresh existing files - only updates files that already exist on target
• mirror source to target - target directory 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 directory regardless of which is newer
• synchronize <> - update bidirectionally (from Source to Target and vice versa). This mode is good for synchronizing home and office computer directories using USB stick.
• refresh existing <> - refresh existing files bidirectionally
• erase source - erases files from source directory, no copy (useful for erasing temporary files)
• backup [date] - copy all files to unique dated target directory (for example to D:\Backup\[2009-12-15_9-37-31]\). This mode is good for making chronological backups.

For general backup use, it is good to go to Options and [set default backup] (target) location, for example D:\BACKUP. Then use Update mode to backup files. To restore previous backup from target to source, simply swap left-right directories using [<>] button and then use Copy all or Mirror mode (mirror mode will erase surplus files too).

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, *.tmp)
• include only between file dates
• include based on file size
• include subdirectories

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. Multiple lines may be selected in to-do list. When you are satisfied with the list, 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 get 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 from Source to Target regardless of which is newer
U= Update bidirectional (Sync. from Source to Target and vice versa)
R= Refresh existing files bidirectional
e= Erase SourceDir files (for example.: c:\work\*.tmp > (nul) /es)
d= Backup - copy all files to unique TargetDir\[Date_Time] directory

Options:
s= recourse subdirectories too
y= ask before processing batch line
t= filter source files based on file date (d=[dd.mm.yyyy-dd.mm.yyyy])
z= filter source files based on size (kB) (z=[11-22])
k= exclude source files with extension(s) (k=[*.bac,*.tmp])
p= skip updating subdirectory which does not already exists on Target
x= delete source files after copy (caution!)

Special codes in batch lines:
?:  = prompt user to specify drive (? is wildcard for drive letter)
?=k = define ?: drive to be drive k:
%:  = drive where Zback.exe is located
#   = 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

PROGRAM OPTIONS:

• Compare file size - if file names and dates are equal. you will get warning if size is different
• Copy file attributes - target attributes will be equal as source
• Del. non empty dirs-mirror - it should be checked if target should be exact copy of source
• Make Report - after execution you get listing of all operations
• Make empty dirs too - copy empty directories from source to target too
• Copy system+hidden too - those files are ignored if not checked this option
• Ignore NTFS Daylight time - you can ignore NTFS 1 hour delay on NTFS drives that might affect file date compare.
• Set Default Backup Drive - default directory name for backup files is \BACKUP
• Font - set font for to-do list, batch commands and report
• User's Guide [F1] - opens this file
• Save Options - save all above options to INI file

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• Zback.BAL file is automatically loaded at startup, if it exists
• BAL files may also be located in MAINTAIN subdirectory
• it is useful to associate BAL files to open with Zback.exe. Then put shortcut to BAL file(s) on the desktop to easy access routine backups.
• 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],  set to /l to auto-start [Make B List]
• deleted files can be restored from Recycle bin
• note that using Batch Run instead of List + Execute you might get different results because files on disk change as a result of previous batch line(s) execution.
• if you want to abort current operation, press Esc key

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: 11.01.2010
 

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