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Taking a more granular approach to backup

 

When you want to copy a selection of files to another drive or disk image, you use the "Incremental backup of selected items" option in CCC. This is a really easy way to make a backup of just the files that are important to you, which can be particularly important if your target drive is tight on space. For day to day incremental backups, this is the ideal method for backing up your data and your boot volume.

Configuring what items should be copied (or not)

When you choose a disk in the source menu, and the "Incremental backup of selected items" option is selected, the "Items to be copied" table populates with the contents of that volume. Each file and folder has a checkbox next to it -- unchecking a checkbox indicates that you do not want that item copied to your backup drive. You will also notice that each folder has a disclosure triangle, just like in the Finder. Click on the disclosure triangle to reveal the contents of a folder, then you can continue deselecting items to be copied, if desired. CCC will not allow you to navigate beyond the folders for which you have permission to view. Additionally, if you deselect an item that is required for Mac OS X to boot, CCC will indicate that the target volume will not be bootable. Your target volume will be bootable as long as it meets the bootability requirements and you select to copy all required system files.

Backing up files using the Incremental Backup of selected items method

What is the "Gear" menu for?

The popup menu next to the source menu that has a gear icon is a contextual filters menu. That menu is enabled when you have selected a local volume or disk image in the source menu. In short, filters are created automatically for you when you deselect items in the "Items to be copied" table. You can edit filters and save customized filters for future use, as well as add file type filters and custom rules. Filters are explained in more detail in this section of CCC Help.