In Timeshift, what are the best choices for creating a system-only backup? No user data. I’m using FreeFileSync separately for that.
Do these choices work well?
Do y’all see any potential downside(s) with this configuration?
Timeshift’s defaults are “Exclude All Files” for both /root and /home…
Thanks,
For system data only, select Exclude All Files for /home/lm-efm.
Ok, so what about all those hidden folders within the /home/ directory, the folders that start with a “./” ?
Under what conditions do those folders/files get backed up?
Are those also components of the system data?
If your non-system backup scheme ( FreeFileSync ) captures your home directory, then the dot files would ( should? ) be included in those backups. I use Deja Dup for my data along side TimeShift for system backups ( and restores - whew ). If you’re able to browse your FreeFileSync backup data, check for the dot files.
Oh. Right. If I set it up that way (to backup hidden files within /home directory).
So if I had backed up those hidden files to FFS/personal data SD, then when I use the separate, Timeshift backup to restore a malfunctioning system, those hidden files within the /home directory are not restored.
New question:
If ‘yes,’ then that presents an out-of-sync scenario, the FFS backup being more recent than the TS backup.
Does that make sense??
I think I’m following correctly.
If the system is rendered unusable & a TimeShift backup is restored, to be on the safe side I would also restore from the latest “personal data” ( FreeFileSync ) backup to ensure that my personal data isn’t corrupt or lost.
Or, include all files in /home/YOU for TimeShift as well - more copies is better?
That’s what I use. Been on Mint 9 years using those settings. Whenever I got in a jam, restore got me out of it. I also make disk images monthly to two computers that I really needed restored if they fail. Also I normally make two snapshots a week on those.
Your Timeshift setup is correct for a system-only backup. Excluding /home is the recommended approach since Timeshift is meant to restore system files, not personal data. Backing up user files separately with another tool and restoring them after a system restore is a common and safe practice. As long as your personal backups include hidden files if needed, this setup works perfectly.
