Personal Backup

How to use Personal Backup with Windows Task Scheduler

A frequently asked question is, whether it is possible to run Personal Backup as service in the background, for example to back up user data from one server to another. A very simple way to do so is to use the Windows Task Scheduler (Keyword: Scheduled Tasks). This system accessory allows programs to be executed at any time or in complex cycles (e.g. only on particular days in the week). Moreover, the backup can run under any user account. It is recommended that a special user for backup operations with particular rights be created. It is not necessary to use an administrator account.
The following description assumes a standard installation of Personal Backup (default folder: C:\Program Files\Personal Backup 5) and a user with administrator rights.

The required steps in detail:

1. Creating an account
   Navigate to Control Panel => Administration => Computer Administration. Create a new user (e.g.. BuService) in Local Users and Groups with a safe password. Make this user a member of the group Users and Backup-Operators.
2. Setting read permissions
   If not already done, you must assign sufficient rights for the group Users or for the group Backup-Operators to read all data designated for backup. In most cases, the required permissions are already set by default. Otherwise, right-click on the partition or directory icon, select Properties and then the Security tab. Add read permission for the Backup Operators group
3. Setting write permissions
   The new user BuService needs permission to modify data for the following directories:
   • Personal Backup installation folder (C:\Program Files\Personal Backup 5)
   • Backups destination folder (e.g. Z:\Backup or \\Server\Backup)
4. Configure backup task
   Start Personal Backup and create a new backup task with the desired settings. Save this task in
   C:\Program Files\Personal Backup 5\<name>.
5. Create a scheduled task
   Go to the page Windows Scheduler in Personal Backup (tab at top right) and start the wizard by clicking the button New backup as scheduled task. The currently-configured backup task will be taken as default. By clicking Next you can adjust your time schedule. Nearly all options of Windows Task Scheduler are available. Clicking Next will bring you to the last page for specifying the account from which to start the backup (password is mandatory). On clicking Done a new task will be created (more info)
6. Edit a scheduled task
   If you want to change a scheduled task (e.g. to change the date) click Edit scheduled backup task on the page Windows Scheduler. A list of all tasks using Personal Backup will be shown. Select the task you wish to edit or delete.

Alternating backup schedules

To control alternating backups triggered by Windows Task Scheduler (full + incremental/differential) in a simple way, I have developed a small additional program (PbPlaner). Using this program you can configure an alternating backup and insert it into Windows Task Scheduler (more info).