Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Please check the FAQ (https://www.xyplorer.com/faq.php) before posting a question...
Post Reply
Vocalpoint
Posts: 178
Joined: 06 Nov 2009 14:01

Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Post by Vocalpoint »

Hello,

I just built a new workstation over the weekend and prior to decommissioning the old one - I backed up my XY config file - figuring that I was getting all my settings. I quickly realized that this was not the case. To wit - I had a number of user commands created in my old setup and even after "restoring": my settings file - I didn;t get the user commands...so I started poking around...and began to understand that backing up the config is just one part of this...

So - how best to backup everything?

Is File->Settings->Save All Settings the ticket? If it is - where do "all" the setting get backed up to?

Or -

Is File-Settings-Backup Application Data Folder even better? I noticed this one actually has the udc.dat file (which begs another question - where is that file stored - if I just backup my user commands?)

And - How best to restore?

In the case of a rebuild - when I want an exact replica of my old XY install - just as it was on my old box...what's the best way to restore? Do I install XY via the standard installer and then copy everything from my "backup Application data" folder (see above) to the XY installation folder?

Appreciate some tips so I can document it for next time.

VP
OS: Win 11 25H2 Pro x64 | XY: 27.20.800 (x32)| Display: 1920x1080 @ 60hz

nas8e9
Posts: 2232
Joined: 21 Jun 2008 14:50

Re: Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Post by nas8e9 »

Vocalpoint wrote:Is File->Settings->Save All Settings the ticket? If it is - where do "all" the setting get backed up to?
This isn't about backup, but about saving all settings that have changed since the last save or since startup. It just writes all unsaved changes to your current config.

If you want to backup/restore your full XYplorer experience, you need File > Settings > Backup Application Data Folder. You can automate this through Auto-backup settings:
XYplorer help wrote:Auto-backup settings

If ticked the current INI file (typically XYplorer.ini), the Tags database (tag.dat), and the Catalog (catalog.dat) are auto-backupped to the folder <xydata>\AutoBackup before it is modified if the last auto-backup is older than 24h. A smart little safety precaution to protect you from mishap. These are probably the data files you would be most sad about losing.
Personally, I include XYplorer's current ADF in my general, more or less automatic backup, by changing its location through Startup.ini. This way, it's located in a folder hierarchy which gets backed up along with all the other config and licensing stuff I (try to :)) keep.

Vocalpoint
Posts: 178
Joined: 06 Nov 2009 14:01

Re: Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Post by Vocalpoint »

nas8e9 wrote:Personally, I include XYplorer's current ADF in my general, more or less automatic backup, by changing its location through Startup.ini. This way, it's located in a folder hierarchy which gets backed up along with all the other config and licensing stuff I (try to :)) keep.
Thanks!

I checked out startup.ini but can't see anything in there for change the ADF location. I too would like to be able to backup this stuff up to my own unique location rather than folder <xydata>\AutoBackup. This does nothing for me if the hard disk goes south or I forge to rescue the settings from this folder during rebuild (like I just did).

Also - assuming I get the ADF working to my liking - any tips on a full restore (*like into a new build of Windows?)

Cheers,

VP
OS: Win 11 25H2 Pro x64 | XY: 27.20.800 (x32)| Display: 1920x1080 @ 60hz

admin
Site Admin
Posts: 66366
Joined: 22 May 2004 16:48
Location: Win8.1, Win10, Win11, all @100%
Contact:

Re: Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Post by admin »

Check out Startup.ini in the Help.

nas8e9
Posts: 2232
Joined: 21 Jun 2008 14:50

Re: Backing/Restore up my entire XY Configuration

Post by nas8e9 »

Vocalpoint wrote:Also - assuming I get the ADF working to my liking - any tips on a full restore (*like into a new build of Windows?)
After installing XYplorer but before running it, modify Startup.ini and point it to your restored ADF.

Post Reply