Using Include/Exclude Correctly with Microsoft Backup (97867)



The information in this article applies to:
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22

This article was previously published under Q97867

SUMMARY

Some people have difficulty using the include and exclude options in Microsoft Backup and Microsoft Backup for Windows. This article clarifies the use of include and exclude.

MORE INFORMATION

Include/Exclude Fails When Using a Default Setup File

If you try to include or exclude a file or directory when you use Microsoft Backup, the actual files backed up may not match what you expect. For example, to back up your MS-DOS directory (usually c:\DOS) but exclude the *.EXE files, you would include C:\DOS\*.* and then exclude all the C:\DOS\*.EXE files; however, if you do so, all files in the MS-DOS directory may still be included in the backup.

If you select a directory from which you have excluded files, you either select or clear all the files in that directory; any inclusions and exclusions are no longer active. If you want to include or exclude a file in a directory after you have selected or cleared the directory's files, hold the SHIFT key and select (or clear) the file.

Includes and excludes are performed in the order that you specify; therefore, if you exclude the *.EXE files first and then include the entire directory, Microsoft Backup includes the entire directory.

This situation also occurs when your default backup configuration overrides your manual excludes.

To correct this situation, do the following:
    Run Microsoft Backup and choose the Backup button.
    In the Backup From box, select the drive to back up from. Select the drive icon again so that there is no text (such as Some Files or All Files) beside it. Note: You can select the drive icon by double-clicking or pressing SPACEBAR.
    Choose the Select Files button and then use one of the following methods to include and exclude files:
      Use the mouse pointer
      Select a file and press SPACEBAR
      Use the Include or Exclude dialog boxes

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 11/24/1999
Keywords: KB97867