# How to backup folders using Configurations.

To perform folder backup using configurations, follow the steps mentioned below:

### Steps

1. In the Endpoint Central product console, under **Configurations** tab, select **Configurations -> Windows**.
2. Create a **folder backup** configuration by filling the following details:
   - **Name and description** of the configuration.
   - **File path to the source folder** – Provide the path of the folder that needs to be backed up. The source folder should be present in the client computer where the Endpoint Central agent is installed.
   - **File path to the destination folder** – Provide the path of the folder where the backup needs to be stored. This destination needs to be a share folder.
   - If you want to secure the backup of your data, as an administrator, you can provide the credentials for accessing the destination folder.
3. Configure the **Advanced Settings**.
   - Advanced settings lets you exclude specific files and folders. You can choose to include or exclude hidden files, folders and sub-folders.
   - Decide on the maximum permissible file size, it can be in MB or GB.
4. You can add more files/folders if required.
5. Define the [Target](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/defining_targets.html#Selecting-Targets-from-Remote-Offices).
6. Customize the optional **Execution Settings** to retry failed configurations and to receive status notifications.

**Note:** Once deployed, this configuration will be executed continuously until suspended or moved to trash. This implies that, till such time when the deployed configuration is either suspended or deleted, a backup of your source folder will be created dynamically and continuously.

## FAQ

### Frequency of backup?

Backup occurs initially during system startup or when a new configuration is deployed. Subsequently, files are synced only if the source folder is modified.

### How does the backup work?

When files are modified (added/modified/deleted), the changes are reflected on the shared path, and synchronization starts within 30 seconds after the folder is modified.

### How are files/folders with the same name stored in the destination?

If multiple folders with the same name are backed up to a single shared path, only one of the folders will be available. The recently modified folder will take precedence.

**Example:**

If both `d:\temp` and `d:\new\temp` are configured in a single shared path, only one `temp` folder will be available in the shared path.

```
\\shared path\domain name\computer name\temp
```

### How can multiple backup files/folders from different agent machines in a common network share be identified?

Files are stored in the shared path with the following format:

For Domain machines:

```
\\shared path\DomainName\ComputerName\SourceFolderName
```

For Workgroup machines:

```
\\shared path\Workgroup\ComputerName\SourceFolderName
```

**Example:**

```
\\shared path\DomainName\Computer-1\SourceFolderName
\\shared path\Workgroup\ComputerName\SourceFolderName
```