Manage Backup Exclusions in Polarbackup

Introduction

Managing the data you back up is crucial for maintaining an efficient and organized storage system. Polarbackup offers users the flexibility to exclude specific files from being backed up, ensuring that only the most relevant and necessary data is stored. This capability helps optimize storage space, reduce backup times, and streamline data management. In this article, we will guide you through the various methods and options available within Polarbackup to exclude files from your backups. Whether you need to exclude files based on type, size, or specific folders, we have you covered with detailed steps and best practices.

Method 1. Utilizing the “Auto Exclude” Feature

Polarbackup includes a predefined list of files and folders that are automatically excluded from backups by default. To customize or deactivate this feature, please follow these steps:

1. Open the Polarbackup desktop application.
2. On the Dashboard, click the Settings button.
3. From the left-side panel, select Preferences.
4. Within the Auto Exclude tab, you can perform the following actions:
   • Enable/Disable the backup of the hidden files.
   • Enable/Disable the Auto Exclude option.
   • Manage the Auto Exclude list by adding new rules for additional files or folders, or removing existing rules.
5. Once you have made your desired changes, remember to Save them.

Method 2. Utilizing the “File Filters” Feature

If you require the exclusion of data based on file extensions or through the use of a regular expression, the File Filters feature is the optimal choice! (Learn more)

Method 3: Through Web Policies

Within web policies, administrators have the option to utilize the Global Exclude feature located under the Extensions section of the policy. This allows for the exclusion of data based on extension or specific paths. (Learn more)