SmartWare Enhancement: Less Restrictive Backups (Must Have for Software Developers!)

[#1]

 It's been over a year since this was posted and WD is going to implement it!  Thanks everyone for all your comments and suggestions!  I hope we get what we want in the next release! 

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Original Post:

Others may have started a post about this but I haven't seen anything get pushed up so thought I'd start my own and see if my title got people's attention better.

I am a developer and have many .bat, .exe, .log, and tons of other files that are not backed up because SmartWare will not do it as explained in ANSWER ID3644. Any person that uses their computer for more than personal media and office documents will have this problem. I'd greatly appreciate it if no extensions where excluded at all. Only backing up the types of files that WD thinks I should back up makes me have to use another product to do my backups. As a user I want to know that SmartWare is backing up everything in a directory that I tell it to. System data and hidden files I understand but what about all those other files types that WD didn't account for that it excludes!? I don't want to have to look through my backup to make sure it backed up the files I wanted

There are many ways to fix this:

     1. Whenever anyone selects Other in Detailed View for backups have Other actually include everything else regardless of file type.

     2. Provide a checkbox that says something like "Exclude Unsafe File Types".  If this is unchecked then all those binary files we programmers made for ourselves or work can get backed up

     3. Provide a new screen that allows a user to customize their own constraints.

Please, please give some kudos to this!  It's the only thing keeping me from relying on SmartWare for my backups.  You just can't trust backup software that backs up the file types it thinks you need.  Come on developers click KUDOS!

Thanks!

Elwyn

[#2]

SmartWare should have a simple way of viewing what files it thinks are pictures, videos, and music before you back up.  On a similar note, it should also show you what's on your drive without having to start the "Retrieve" wizard and pick "Some Files".

[#3]

SmartWare needs an advanced option to allow backup of all file types.

The default can be the way it currently operates, but please add a mode so that more experienced users can select any file of any type.

[#4]

Very useful idea, also what needed is to show what extention for others (as other file types) and the option to add more extentions if needed

[#5]

Agree, it would be nice if we could associate specific folders in C:\USERS\my login\ with one backup category.  I.E. Everything in my Documents folder would be backed up under the Documents category, regardless of file type.  This would make it easier to retrieve files.  This could be done one time under software settings.

[#6]

Hello, I just bought the My Book Elite 2 TB specifically for the size AND the software.  The offer of included continuous backup software sucked me right in.  Very sadly and to my dismay... the software is so limiting!!!!!!!!  WHY!?!?!?

I may have to return the drive if I don't get a free solution or the idea that an update in the future is possible to the Smartware software.  

Backing up by categories is simply not helpful in any way.  It will duplicate information accross many drives on my system, wasting space and creating a hassle of duplicate files on my backup WD drive.

What we need is the ability to choose how we want to select what is backed up.  We need to be able to either use your generic category system, which may be nice for simple users, OR the ability to simply select by folder accross multiple drives.  I have software (doesn't do it continuous however) from 10 years ago that does this, why wouldn't this be added here??  I have my music collection (100GB worth) on both of my internal hard drives, I don't need both backed up continuously... but I do have other music files on that 2nd drive that I would like to backup that don't include redoing the entire other 100GB of music again!  Get my point?

Thanks for listening, please post and let me know if this update could/will be something for a future update of the software... otherwise, as much as I hate to, I will need to return this drive in my 30 day window.

Rob 

[#7]

Elwyn, any I just posted the Allow Specific Folder and File selection for backup" idea.  

take a look there, I think my idea and yours could and should be combined.  It seems you do use your software though, do you see a workaround for me?  Do you recommend any other software that offers continuous backup for free until WD gets this updated?

Thanks

[#8]

I AGREE with this idea. I have the MY BOOK Essential 2TB, and I would like SmartWare to provide this option.

[#9]

In addition how about a way to exclude a specific folder\file. Currently it is picking up 23G of media files located in C:\Winodws\Winsxs that I don't need or want. so the ability to exclude specific files and or locations would be a compliment to including other files.

hmmm.. some additional digging found this:

http://community.wdc.com/t5/WD-Smartware/How-to-edit-the-backup-rules-in-SmartWare/td-p/3845

Hope it works and helps.