Backing up
files is a very critical function which guarantees business continuity and
recovery after an unforeseen disaster such as theft, machine malfunction,
sabotage, human error or a virus infection.
There are
various approaches and tools that organizations are using towards securing
their data particularly what sits on individual employees’ computer hard drives.
One of the
more common ones is the technique of mapping My Documents folder to a home drive
that sits on a central server and then enabling Offline Synchronization.
Though
this approach is highly recommended it leaves out email data i.e. PST files
(Microsoft Outlook Email Format). PST files cannot be copied or synched when Microsoft
Outlook is open. Usually, you’ll get an error saying the file is locked or in
use.
So how
does one copy or backup locked or open files? The answer is using a nifty tool
called HoboCopy.
HoboCopy
support a feature called Volume Shadow Service (VSS) which enables one to
copy/backup open files such as PSTs.
Following
this discovery I’ve developed a simple batch file to do the job. Combine this
file with Windows’ Scheduled Task feature, and you have an easy method for
backing up files automatically.
- Download HoboCopy (32 or 64bit Version) - https://github.com/candera/hobocopy/downloads
- Copy it on the root folder e.g. C:\hobocopy
- Copy the batch script to the root folder too e.g. C:\backupscript.bat . A sample of the script is as follows:
- To schedule the batch file to run automatically use this instructions- http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-schedule-batch-file-run-automatically-windows-7
Other
References:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/backupcopy-files-that-are-in-use-or-locked-in-windows/
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