fBackup

This tool is a helper for FreeFileSync. It can send you email with FreeFileSync logs and automate some backup related tasks. I currently use it on 10-20 servers and constantly try to improve/fix bugs.

⚠️ Upgrade Notice (v2)

This release is a full rewrite of fBackup.
Previous configuration files are not compatible and must be recreated.

• Old files TaskName.ini and TaskName-auth.xml are no longer used.
• All configuration is now stored in a single XML file: TaskName.xml.
• Options Shutdown PC and Eject USB have been removed (they were rarely used).

After upgrading, please re-run run_fbackup.cmd for each task to recreate the configuration.

Installation

1. Download and install FreeFileSync: Download the Latest Version - FreeFileSync
   Suggested install path: C:\FreeFileSync\

2. Download fBackup directly from GitHub GitHub - frabnet/fBackup. -> Code -> Download ZIP

3. Unzip fBackup inside the FreeFileSync folder:
   C:\FreeFileSync\fBackup

Task Configuration

1. Create a new Job with FreeFileSync as you like.

2. Save it as a Batch Job in the fBackup folder (C:\FreeFileSync\fBackup\) using a simple name, e.g. CopyToNas.ffs_batch
   While saving, check:

   • Progress window: Close automatically
   • [v] Ignore errors

3. Execute run_fbackup.cmd and enter the same task name.
   This will run the configuration wizard where you can specify email settings.

   • SendEmail → when to send reports (Everytime / Never / OnlyError)
   • SmtpServer → your SMTP server (e.g. smtp.example.com)
   • Port → SMTP port (default 465)
   • UseSSL → whether to use SSL (true / false)
   • User → your SMTP username
   • Password → your SMTP password (will be encrypted)
   • From → sender email address
   • To → recipient email address
   • SubjectPrefix → prefix for the email subject

   Configuration is saved per task in an XML file called TaskName.xml.

   Nerd note: if SSL on port 465 fails, the script will retry with TLS on port 587.
   You can disable this behavior by editing the script.

4. Create a new Scheduled Task with Windows Task Scheduler and select Run a program:

   • Program/script: %windir%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
   • Add arguments: -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "fbackup.ps1" -TaskName CopyToNas
   • Start in: C:\FreeFileSync\fBackup

   Remember to change CopyToNas with the name of the task you want to run, and C:\FreeFileSync\fBackup with the actual path.