Scheduling and Background Tasks
SyncBackPro provides a number of ways to run a profile (see below for a complete list) however, there are two methods to run a profile based on the date and time:
•Scheduling with the Windows Task Scheduler.
•Have a profile configured to run in the background.
A profile can be both scheduled and set to run in the background.
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Scheduled Tasks
The Windows operating system comes with an integrated scheduler (the Windows Task Scheduler). |
This scheduler lets the user configure Windows so that certain programs are run at certain times, e.g. every day at 9am. For example, most anti-virus software will prompt you to create a scheduled task to scan your computer for viruses every morning. There are a number of advantages to scheduling profiles:
•A scheduled profile can be configured to run even when you're not logged in or if someone else is logged in.
•A scheduled profile can switch the computer on (from hibernation or standby) to run the profile.
•The date & time of when the profile is run, and how often it is repeated (e.g. daily), is highly configurable.
•You do not need to have SyncBackPro running to have a profile run at the scheduled times.
This help file has a special section that shows you how to Create a Schedule.
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Background Tasks
SyncBackPro has the ability to run profiles at periodic intervals, e.g. every 2 hours. |
This is different from scheduling a profile because it is not based on a specific date & time but instead the frequency. There are a number of disadvantages to having a profile run in the background:
•You must be logged in for the profile to run.
•SyncBackPro must be running for the profile to run.
•The profile can only be configured to run every x seconds/minutes/hours and not at a specific date or time.
If profiles are configured to run in the background then it's best to configure SyncBackPro so that it starts automatically when you login to Windows.
This help file has a special section that shows you how to Create a Background Task.
Which method should be used?
In general it is better to schedule a profile instead of having it run in the background. However, if you want a profile to run frequently (e.g. hourly) then it is advisable to both schedule the profile and have it set to run in the background. This gives you the best of both worlds: your backup will be performed even when you are not logged in, and your backups will be performed frequently while you are working so that if you need to restore a file the backup copy will be more recent.
Situations under which a SyncBackPro Profile can be run
The list below shows all the situations and configurations in which a SyncBackPro profile can be run:
•Manually run, e.g. profile selected in main window and the Run or Restore buttons are pressed
•Scheduled (note that schedules can also be set to run every x minutes, hours, etc. and not just once or daily, weekly, monthly etc.)
•Run when a hot-key is pressed (see When -> Hot-key)
•Run on Windows startup or shutdown/logoff (see When -> Login/Logout)
•When files or folders in the source or destination are changed (see When -> Changes)
•Run when a device is attached/inserted, e.g. a CD, a USB flash key, etc. (see the When -> Insert)
•Set to run in the background (see When -> Periodically)
•Run when an external programs starts (see When -> Programs)
•Run externally from the command line, a batch file, or another program
•Run as part of a Group Profile which is run by one of the above methods
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