diff --git a/Infrastructure/Backups.md b/Infrastructure/Backups.md index 1d882a8..692055f 100644 --- a/Infrastructure/Backups.md +++ b/Infrastructure/Backups.md @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ title: Setting Up Kopia description: published: true -date: 2026-01-25T17:03:22.587Z +date: 2026-01-25T17:04:34.579Z tags: editor: markdown dateCreated: 2026-01-23T22:14:17.009Z @@ -41,3 +41,298 @@ added: 2. Created user cindy@DESKTOP-QLSVD8P on repository server (password LucyDog123) 3. On windows - `kopia repo connect server --url=https://192.168.5.10:51515 --override-username=cindy --server-cert-fingerprint=696a4999f594b5273a174fd7cab677d8dd1628f9b9d27e557daa87103ee064b2` 4. When createing taks for cindy used password Harvey123= + +Nice — if the repository is already connected, this is the easy (and satisfying) part 😄 +Let’s do a clean first snapshot of C:\Users\cindy from the Kopia CLI. + +I’ll assume: + +You’re in PowerShell + +Repo is connected (kopia repository status works) + +1️⃣ Sanity check (optional but recommended) + +Just to be sure Kopia sees the repo: + +kopia repository status + + +You should see repo details, not an error. + +2️⃣ Run the first backup (snapshot) + +Run: + +kopia snapshot create C:\Users\cindy + + +That’s it — this creates the initial full snapshot. + +First run will: + +Take the longest + +Upload all data + +Build indexes + +Let it finish. + +3️⃣ Watch progress (optional) + +Kopia is chatty by default, but you can add more detail: + +kopia snapshot create C:\Users\cindy --progress + + +Or quieter: + +kopia snapshot create C:\Users\cindy --log-level=info + +4️⃣ Confirm the snapshot exists + +After it completes: + +kopia snapshot list + + +You should see an entry like: + +Source: C:\Users\cindy + + +With a snapshot ID and timestamp. + +5️⃣ (Strongly recommended) Test a restore + +Pick one small file and restore it somewhere safe: + +kopia snapshot restore ` + --target C:\Temp\KopiaRestoreTest + + +Open the file. If it works, your backup is legit. + +Common first-run gotchas (quick fixes) +❗ Permission errors + +If you see access denied: + +Run PowerShell as Cindy + +Or add: + +--ignore-permissions + +❗ Massive junk folders + +If it’s slow or huge, consider excluding: + +kopia policy set ` + --global ` + --add-ignore "**\AppData\Local\Temp\**" ` + --add-ignore "**\AppData\Local\Packages\**" + +What happens next + +Future runs = incremental + +Nightly backups will be much faster + +Repo is deduplicated + encrypted + +Useful follow-up commands +kopia snapshot diff --latest C:\Users\cindy +kopia snapshot verify +kopia snapshot list --all + + +If you want next: + +Schedule this via Task Scheduler + +Split policies (Documents vs everything else) + +Add backup failure notifications + +Tune performance for LAN speed + +Just say the word. + +I would like to schedule a nightly backup + +Perfect — let’s wire this up so it just runs every night and you never think about it again 😄 +This is the clean, reliable way to schedule Kopia CLI on Windows. + +I’ll assume: + +Repo is already connected + +You want to back up C:\Users\cindy + +You’re okay using Windows Task Scheduler (best option) + +1️⃣ Create a backup script (recommended) + +Create a folder: + +C:\Scripts + + +Create this file: + +C:\Scripts\kopia-nightly.ps1 + + +Put this in it: + +# Set repo password (simplest method) +$env:KOPIA_PASSWORD = "YOUR_REPOSITORY_PASSWORD" + +# Run backup +kopia snapshot create C:\Users\cindy --progress + +🔐 Secure the script + +Right-click → Properties → Security + +Ensure only your user has read access + +This prevents password exposure + +If you want a more secure option later, we can move the password to Windows Credential Manager. + +2️⃣ Create the scheduled task + +Press Win + R → type: + +taskschd.msc + +Create Task (not “Basic Task”) + +General tab + +Name: Kopia Nightly Backup + +✔ Run whether user is logged on or not + +✔ Run with highest privileges + +Configure for: your Windows version + +Triggers tab + +New… + +Begin task: On a schedule + +Daily + +Time: 2:00 AM (or whenever you like) + +✔ Enabled + +Actions tab + +New… + +Action: Start a program + +Program/script: + +powershell.exe + + +Add arguments: + +-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\Scripts\kopia-nightly.ps1 + + +Start in: + +C:\Scripts + +Conditions tab (important) + +Recommended settings: + +✔ Wake the computer to run this task + +❌ Stop if the computer switches to battery (your choice) + +❌ Start only if on AC power (recommended for laptops) + +Settings tab + +✔ Allow task to be run on demand + +✔ Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed + +❌ Stop the task if it runs longer than… (don’t limit it) + +3️⃣ Test the task immediately + +Right-click the task → Run + +Then check: + +kopia snapshot list + + +You should see a fresh snapshot. + +4️⃣ (Strongly recommended) Add logging + +Update your script to this: + +$env:KOPIA_PASSWORD = "YOUR_REPOSITORY_PASSWORD" + +kopia snapshot create C:\Users\cindy ` + --progress ` + | Tee-Object -FilePath C:\Logs\kopia.log -Append + + +Create the log folder once: + +mkdir C:\Logs + + +Now you have a paper trail if anything ever fails. + +5️⃣ Common laptop gotchas (especially Dell Latitudes) + +Make sure: + +Sleep is disabled or delayed overnight + +Lid close action = Do nothing + +Network adapter power saving = ❌ disabled + +Otherwise the task runs, but the network drops mid-backup. + +Quick health checks (monthly) +kopia snapshot list +kopia snapshot verify +kopia repository status + +Optional next upgrades + +If you want, I can help you: + +🔐 Store the password securely (no plaintext) + +📧 Email yourself on backup failure + +🗂️ Add multiple sources with different policies + +🧹 Schedule weekly maintenance automatically + +🐧 Verify snapshots from the Linux server + +Just tell me how “hands-off” you want this to be — you’re already 90% of the way to a pro-grade backup setup 💪 + +user does not know her windows password, only her pin + +Ah — that’s an important detail 👍