Backup Tools

Backup Tools

Keep Your Data Safe

There are many backup tools for Linux-based operating systems like the Kubuntu Focus. We have configured BackInTime as the out-of-the-box solution, but there are other options you may want to consider.

Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. We review and update guided solutions like this regularly. If you have suggestions or requests, please write support@kfocus.org.

BackInTime

BackInTime

BackInTime is installed by default on the Kubuntu Focus. You may use this to restore an earlier version of a file or restore a deleted file.

To see what is being backed-up, examine the BackInTime settings. It is pre-configured to ignore directories that would otherwise be useless, such as cache directories and temporary directories. It only backs-up your home folder, and backs up most of your configuration files as well.

By default, snapshots are stored under /home/backintime (in 20.04, this was /backintime). This configuration is useful to recover from human errors, but it does not protect against drive failures since the backups are stored on the same disk. For this reason, we highly recommend you use an external or remote drive to store backups instead. To learn more, please see the official BackInTime documentation. Please make sure you adjust the backup filter to allow larger files and test your backups to ensure you capture all the data you need.

Take a Snapshot with USB Drive

Another handy technique is to copy your home directory to a USB thumb drive or external drive:

Because of file permissions, you may not be able to copy all files. When using Dolphin on 22.04, you can right-click on a folder and Open as Administrator to copy additional files. On 20.04, one can add the Open as Root service to Dolphin, but use this cautiously: click on [Hamburger Menu] > Configure Dolphin… > Context Menu (or Services) > Download New Services…. Then search for and install "Open Dolphin As Root". After installation, you can right-click on a folder or file and select Actions > Open as Root to access it as root.

Backup for Clean Install

If you decide to clean install the OS, we have found it very useful to backup the following data to a completely separate disk directory before proceeding:

After the clean install, we recommend the following steps to restore your data:

Other Solutions

Cloud storage, such as Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, or Google Drive, can often provide multiple versions of files using heuristics. However, we recommend explicitly versioned backups such as those provided by SCMSs (Source Control Management Systems like Git) for more exact control. Ultimately, one must balance convenience and storage requirements with completeness. And remember, any backup solution is better than none.

Troubleshooting

Content will be added as needed.

Revisions

This is a partial revision history. See the git repository for all entries.

Disclaimer

We try hard to provide a useful solution validated by professionals. However, we cannot anticipate every situation, and therefore cannot guarantee this procedure will work for your needs. Always backup your data and test the solution to determine the correct procedure for you.

THIS SOLUTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOLUTION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

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