The control panel is a new feature introduced with Version 6 and will inform you
  about all your configured backup tasks and the associated time schedules for
  automatic backups in a clearly-arranged form. In addition, you can edit time schedules,
  configure backups using Windows Task Scheduler as well as call additional tools
  for restore and verification of backed-up data and to clean up backup directories.
You can select the desired function by clicking the buttons on the tool bar on 
  the left of the window. On the right, the associated details will be
  displayed.
  
 
All user-configured backups are displayed as a list.
Display in normal mode
  
Display in dark mode
  
Display in plain mode
  
The list My backup tasks shows all tasks created by the user.
  Using the buttons New and Open (to the left)
  you can add a new backup task or an 
  already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry
  will show the associated details on the right:
  - Name of task (highlighted in red)
 
  - To the right small icons are signaling the most important settings of the selected backup task:
    
 The files will be compressed on backup.
  
    
 The files will be encrypted on backup.
    
 The files will be compressed and 
    encrypted on backup.
    
 Security copies
      will be created during backp.
    
 External programs
      will be be run before and/or after the backup.
    
 An e-mail will be sent after the backup.
    
 The task is registered in Windows Task Scheduler.    
   
  - Description of task (optional): Double-clicking
    the text field will open a dialog to edit the description 
    ⇒ more information.
 
  - Settings for the backup log: clicking the log mode indicator 
    will open a dialog for changing the backup log settings.
 
  - Destination directory of backups, on backups into zip archives 
    also the archive name
 
  - Information about the destination and the available storage space
 
  - Information about the selected backup method and settings for
    the optional synchronization
 
  - Information about the associated time schedules (if available)
 
Further information will be shown when moving the mouse over the particular field:
  - Description: task file (buj file) with full path
 
  - Destination directory: a list of
  all directories to be backed up when running the selected task
 
Edit list of backup tasks
  Create new task: Clicking the New button will start the 
  wizard for creating a new backup task. This
  will be inserted as a new entry at the beginning of the list.
  Add tasks to list: Clicking the Open button will provide
  access to one or several backup tasks already saved as 
  buj files to the list.
  Edit task: To edit the properties of the selected backup task, click the button at the top right. 
  A dialog will open where you can, for example, add other
  directories for backup or modify the file selection or any   
  other setting.
  
  
Remove all entries from list: 
  Clicking the button will delete all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but
  not the task files themselves will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file 
  back to the list again by clicking the 
Open button.
 
  
Remove selected entries from list:  
  Clicking the button will delete the selected entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but
  not the task files themselves will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file 
  back to the list again by clicking the 
Open button.
 
  
  
Change order: Clicking one of these buttons 
  will move the selected entry or entries (even several) one position up or down.
  In this way, it is possible to arrange the tasks according to their properties
  (such as the destination directory).
 
  
Insert comments: To improve visibility, you can
  insert comment lines into the list. In so doing, the backup tasks can be arranged  
  for instance by themes. Each group will be provided with color-highlighted headers.
 
  
Sort alphabetically: Clicking this button
  will sort the list alphabetically. If 
comment lines have been added to the entries, 
  as described above, they will be retained and the resulting groups will be sorted 
  section by section.
 
Time schedules
  
On the right of the list showing the time schedules associated
  with the selected task you will find two buttons to configure these. Clicking the upper button will
  show the details of the selected schedule (here: 2: On logoff ...) for editing,
  whereas clicking the lower button will add a new additional schedule associated with the selected 
  task ⇒ more information.
   
Other functions
  Task scheduler: The currently-selected backup tasks will be 
  added to Windows Task Scheduler
  to be performed automatically according to the specified time schedule. If this
  task is already registered. the time schedule can be edited
  ⇒ more information.
   
  Shortcut: A shortcut on the computer desktop for the currently-selected 
  backup tasks (even several) will be created. By single double-clicking thereon these backups will
  be started automatically one after another. In addition, you can specify a subsequent
  action like shutting down the system
  ⇒ more information.
    
  View log:  A viewer window will 
  open to show the log file belonging to the 
  currently-selected backup task. You can inspect the log and print it if required.
   
   
Start backup: Depending on how many backup task are selected in the list, 
  the further procedure is different:
 
  - One selected task: The selected backup will be 
    started instantly. The Control Panel remains locked
    until the backup has finished. During backup the user can select an action
    (e.g. shutdown) to be performed after backup
    (see here).
 
  - Several selected tasks: A dialog will open in which you can select whether 
    the selected backup tasks should run one after the other or in parallel in the background. 
    In the latter case, the control center remains operable, so that further backups 
    can also be started. However, there is no option to select a subsequent action, 
    such as shutdown.
 
  
 
This item brings together the functions for restore, verification and cleanup of files
  which can optionally also be saved as task files. When selecting a particular function, a list of 
  the associated tasks that were created and saved by the user is shown.
  In addition, similar to the backup tasks (see above), the details
  of the selected task are displayed on the right.
 
   
  
Restore files
 
A summary of all user-configured restore tasks is displayed.
Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of 
  My restore tasks) you can add a new restore task or an 
  already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry
  will show the associated details on the right:
  - Name of restore task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving 
    the mouse over the field)
 
  - Directory to which the data was backed-up
 
  - Directory to which the data is to be restored
 
  - Information about file selection
 
Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and 
  delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but
  not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file 
  to the list again by clicking the Open button.
To edit the selected restore task, click the button at the top right. A
  dialog will open where you can change the settings
  for this task.
Notes on creating a new restore: When clicking the New button,
  the important settings for the restore, such as backup directory, settings for
  compression and encryption and the backup method, will be predefined as specified in the   
  currently selected backup task. The user need only specify
  where to restore (to the original or to any
  other directory), if all files or only those of a specified age are concerned and if files
  already existing shall be overwritten. You will find more information in the 
  detailed description.   
Below you will find buttons for the following functions:
  - Task scheduler: The selected restore task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler
    to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule
    ⇒ more information.
 
  - Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer 
    desktop for the currently-selected restore task. Thereafter the associated restore will 
    be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
 
  - Start restore: The selected restore will be 
    started instantly.
 
 
A summary of all user-configured verify tasks is displayed.
Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of 
  My verify tasks) you can add a new verify task or an 
  already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry
  will show the associated details on the right:
  - Name of verify task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving 
    the mouse over the field)
 
  - Backup directory selected for verification
 
  - Directory to be used for comparison
 
  - Information about file selection
 
Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and 
  delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but
  not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file 
  to the list again by clicking the Open button.
To edit the selected verify task, click the button at the top right. A
  dialog will open where you can change the settings
  for this task.
Notes on creating a new verification: When clicking the New button,
  the important settings for the verification, such as backup directory and the backup method, 
  will be predefined as specified in the currently selected backup task. 
  The user need only specify how to verify (comparison with the original or any other
  selected directory) and if all files or only those of a specified age are concerned. 
  You will find more information in the detailed description.   
Below you will find buttons for the following functions:
  - Task scheduler: The selected verify task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler
    to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule
    ⇒ more information.
 
  - Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer 
    desktop for the currently-selected verify task. Thereafter the associated verification will 
    be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
 
  - Start verify: The selected verification will be 
    started instantly.
 
 
A summary of all user-configured cleanup tasks is displayed.
Using the buttons New and Open (to the left of 
  My cleanup tasks) you can add a new cleanup task or an 
  already-saved task to the list. Clicking on a list entry
  will show the associated details on the right:
  - Name of cleanup task (the full path of the task file will be shown when moving 
    the mouse over the field)
 
  - Directory selected to be cleaned up
 
  - Information about file selection
 
Using the buttons below to the left, you can change the order of the entries and 
  delete selected or all entries from the list. In so doing, only the list entries but
  not the task files will be deleted. At any time, you can add a saved task file 
  to the list again by clicking the Open button.
To edit the selected cleanup task, click the button at the top right. A
  dialog will open where you can change the settings
  for this task.
Notes on creating a new cleanup task: When clicking the New button,
  the important settings for the cleanup, such as backup directory, 
  will be predefined as specified in the currently selected backup task. 
  The user need only specify whether he wants to delete files as result of a synchronization
  with the original or any other directory or if he wants to delete all files matching
  to special filter conditions, such as text patterns and/or age. 
  You will find more information in the detailed description.   
Below you will find buttons for the following functions:
  - Task scheduler: The selected cleanup task will be added to Windows Task Scheduler
    to be started automatically according to the specified time schedule
    ⇒ more information.
 
  - Shortcut: A shortcut will be created on the computer 
    desktop for the currently-selected cleanup task. Thereafter the associated cleanup will 
    be started immediately by double-clicking this desktop icon.
 
  - Start cleanup: The selected cleanup will be 
    started instantly.
 
 
A viewer window will open
  to show the default log file.
  Clicking the appropriate button will print out or delete the log file. Additionally,
  you can search for the beginning of a backup section (blue arrows), 
  backup errors (red arrows) or any other text. To copy the whole text to the clipboard, 
  no text selection is required. For part of the text, select 
  a section and type Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Ins on your keyboard.
If errors have occurred during an automatic backup, a warning symbol is displayed 
  in the control center. By clicking on it, the error log 
  can be displayed to obtain further information. If the program is running in the 
  background, the icon in the Windows notification area 
  
 also changes to red.
When you exit the program, all preferences including your selections for automatic 
  backup will be saved.
  
Move program to background
If at least one of the options for 
  Automatic backups on logoff or at time of day 
  is selected and/or Show icon in notification area is checked,  
  the program will remain running in the background and an icon
  will appear in the Windows notification area (see below).
  
If at least one of the automatic 16 tasks is activated as time controlled or at logoff, 
  this box will be checked by the program and the Personal Backup will not be 
  terminated when closing the main window, but will continue running in the background. An 
  
 icon will then be
  displayed in the Windows notification area (usually at the bottom right-hand 
  corner of the screen). Under Windows 7 and newer this icon may initially be hidden, in 
  which case click the arrow adjacent to the notification area to view all hidden
  icons. To show the icon permanently (recommended), click on the icon and drag it from the
  hidden list to the notification area.
  Furthermore, the program adds a shortcut to the startup folder of the Windows start menu 
  to be started automatically on next user logon if at least one automatic task 
  (time-triggered or on logon/logoff) is active. If the user is logged on as administrator
  and at least one automatic task is using a Volume Shadow Copy,
  in addition the Run as administrator flag of this link will be set.
  Left-clicking the icon in the notification area will show a 
  list of all pending automatic backups,
  right-clicking it will call a context menu 
  from which one of several actions can be initiated (e.g. backup, logoff).
  
Clicking this checkbox will change the program behavior:
  - Checked: The program remains running in the background after closing the main
    window even if no time schedule is configured. A backup can be started manually using 
    the right-click context menu of
    the 
 icon. 
  - Unchecked: All automatic tasks will be temporarily
    disabled. If the main window is closed, the program will be terminated. You must
    restart the program manually to reactivate the configured automatic tasks.
 
After double-clicking a saved task file, this dialog will be shown. By clicking one of the
  buttons, the user can select whether he wishes to open the Control Panel, edit the task 
  or start the associated backup immediately. At the same time, information on 
  the respective backup task is displayed:
  - The most important settings for the selected backup are displayed at the top right 
    using small icons. Additional information can be obtained by moving the 
    mouse over the icons (see also).
 
  - Description of the task (if available)
 
  - Destination directory of the backup, also the name of the archive when backing up to zip archives. 
    If you move the mouse over this field, all selected directories to be backed up are also displayed.
 
  - Backup mode of the task (Update, full, differential or incremental)
 
  - Information about the selected backup method and any settings for synchronization
 
  
  - Configure backup schedules -
    Launch the add-on program PbPlaner, 
    to configure alternating backup schedules using Windows Task Scheduler.
 
  - External Restore program
 
  
    - Restore files -
    Launch the add-on program PbRestore 
    to select single files from
    backup (even when compressed and encrypted) for restore to any location.
 
    - Restore from zip archive -
    Launch the add-on program PbRestore 
    to restore files from a zip archive in which also archives with encrypted filenames are 
    supported.
 
  
 
  - Start Backup under different account -
    Launch the add-on program PbStarter
    to configure backups so that they will be started under a different user account.
    This is good way to protect the backups from manipulation by malware.
    
 
  - Thunderbird mail backup -
    Launch the add-on program TbBackup
    to help less-experienced Thunderbird users to backup and restore their mail data.
  
  - Backup files from a portable device -
    Launch the add-on program DeviceBackup,
    which can be used to back up data from a mobile device (e.g. Android smartphone).
  
  - Real-time backup of data -
    Launch the add-on program PbWatchdog
    to start backups of selected directories automatically in background after 
    changes are recognized.
  
  - User defined utilities -
    You can add any program to the list, 
    for example a Text Editor or a File Manager.
  
 
  - Actions
 
  - Manage backup tasks
 
  - Configure backup time schedules
 
  - Use Windows Task Scheduler
 
  - Start selected backup tasks
 
  - Edit selected backup task
 
  - Create new backup task
 
  - Create new Thunderbird backup
 
  - Restore files from backup
 
  - Verify backed-up files
 
  - Clean up backup directory
 
  - Close Personal Backup
 
  
  - Delete task files ... - 
    Over time, more and more tasks for backup, restore, cleanup and verify will be 
    accumulating. They are stored in the  
    task directory as
    files using the extensions buj (Backups), rsj 
    (Restores),
    cuj (Cleanups) and 
    vfj (Verifications).
    Depending on the active function in the tool bar at the left, you can select the
    appropriate task files in a dialog and delete them.
 
  - Logs
 
  - Selected task
    
      - Show log ... - Display and optionally print 
        the log file of the currently selected backup task
 
      - Delete log ... - Delete the log file of the currently selected backup task
 
    
         
  - Show other log ... - Select and display any log file
 
  - Show error log ... - Display the list of failed backups
 
  - Delete old log files ... - Delete all log files from the current log directory
    older than an adjustable fixed date or older than a selectable number of
    days, weeks, months or years relative to the current date. 
    
 
  - FTP communication log (see here)
    
      - View ... - Display the FTP communication log file
 
      - Delete ... - Delete the FTP communication log file
 
    
 
  - Mail delivery log (see here)
    
      - View ... - Display the mail delivery log file
 
      - Delete ... - Delete the mail delivery log file
 
    
 
  
  
  View
  Set to default position - Position the Control Panel window into the upper left corner of the screen
  Set to default size - Change the size of the Control Panel window to the default values
  
  Tasks and preferences
  Export - The current settings and all tasks for backups,
    restores, verifications and clean ups are exported to a zip archive.
    This should preferably be stored on an external data carrier, e.g. a USB stick.
  Import - Import the settings and tasks saved via the
    above mentioned export function, e.g. to use them on a new PC.
  Preferences
  View ... - View settings
  Start program ... - Settings for program start
  Shutdown ... - Settings for backups on shutdown 
  Copy options ... - Basic settings for copying files
  Security copies ... - Presets for security copies
  Log file ... - Log settings
  Printer ... - Settings for printing the log
  Directories ... - Selection of the directories used by the program  
  Other ... - Other settings 
  Language - Selection of the user language
  Default - Use the system default language
  English
  German
  Dutch
  French 
  Hungarian
  Italian
  Polish
  Portuguese
  Russian
  Spanish
  Turkish
  Ukrainian 
  Chinese
  Help
  Overview - Brief summary (F1)
  Context-sensitive help - depending on the selected function (F2)
  
    - Data backup - Configuration of a backup task
 
    - Backup time schedules
 
    - Windows Scheduled Tasks
 
    - Restore files
 
    - Verify files
 
    - Cleanup directories
 
  
  License - User license 
  Version - Version info
  Changelog - Information on version history
  References - Information on components used from other authors
  Check for update ... 
    - A connection to the Internet will be established to check if a new update is available
    (details).
   
    Homepage - Homepage of Personal Backup
   
    Download - leads directly to the download page of Personal Backup
  J. Rathlev, 24222 Schwentinental, Germany, May 2025