TicTechTo: Schedule backup

30 November 2008 1 views No Comment

Schedule a BackUp in Windows Scheduler

This post is in continuation of the previous post.

Creating the Batch file

I created a batch file to backup my Photos to the Second Hard Drive. To do this simply open notepad and cut and paste the below commands:

xcopy Source<space>destination /E /F /I /Y
pause

eg code:
xcopy D:\Photos G:\PhotoBackup /E /F /I /Y
pause

The /E /F and so on are switches. Launch the command prompt key in “xcopy /?” to see what each switch function is.

Testing the batch file

Save the notepad as name.bat. Ensure .bat is included to make the file a batch file. Double click this file to see if it running. You can terminate it anytime.

Scheduling Task

Now go to Start >> Control Panel. Double Click Scheduled Task. This will open the Scheduled Task Wizard

Click Next and Click Browse and browse to the folder that you saved the batch file in and click Open.

Here you can Schedule the batch file to run Daily, Weekly or Monthly.

Click Weekly and Click Next.

Here you can schedule the time and days you want the task to run.

I usually run this task fortnightly at non peak hour.

Select the necessary and Click Next

Key in your user id and password if you have setup for your account.

This is required to run the task even if you have logged off.

If you want to see or do advanced config or changes ensure the “open advanced properties…” is selected and click finish.

If not just click finish and you are done.

Final Thoughts

The task will only run if your PC is turned on (d’oh).

My suggestion is to schedule the task on weekends and leave your PC switched on during the weekends. If your PC is on 24hrs, then schedule it anytime.

Do make sure to check after the schedule if it has run successfully from the Scheduled Task Window.