Should the Windows AppData folder be backedup? I'm in my initial uploading of files for cloud backup. Backblaze automatically backs up most of the folders/files on your hard drive...

srt101fan

I'm in my initial uploading of files for cloud backup. Backblaze automatically backs up most of the folders/files on your hard drive, including the C:\Users\...\AppData folder.

Seems like tons of files are added to this folder every time I use the browser (Mozilla). Is it necessary to back up this folder or is it OK to add it to the exclusion list?

I poked around the web but couldn't find anything definitive. Hoping for advice from people who know the ins and outs of this folder....Thanks!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'd definitely back it up with the rest of a backup set. (Include it.)

Unless you are only worried about data, like images, PDFs, spreadsheets, docs, etc..
Backblaze and Carbonite back up system files also, usually by default.

Those are files that various applications use to store operational information,
especially for different (multiple) users on the PC. Keeps the user info/setup/etc. unique to each user.
Even if there is only one "user" on your system, the files will exist. There is also a roaming directory in the user "Public". (Look at the directories under "roaming" - Manufacturer name and software name sub-directories exist.)

I'd venture to guess since they are required for normal operation of the various software packages, not backing them up would probably cause operational hiccups in the various software packages if not restored properly.

https://support.pointlogic.com/faq/troubleshooting/accessing-the-appdata-folder

(The big problem will be the question of what needs to be restored from there under what restoration conditions. But that would be a different problem/question.)

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

srt101fan wrote:

I'm in my initial uploading of files for cloud bac... (show quote)

The files saved by the browser are kept in case you go there again - they won’t have to be downloaded again .... but they could be. Their purpose is to make multiple visits faster after the first. Personally, I wouldn’t bother to backup them up.

srt101fan

Longshadow wrote:

I'd definitely back it up with the rest of a backu... (show quote)

Thank you, Longshadow, appreciate your response. When I see these files on the list of files scheduled for backup it just looks like a lot of clutter. Sounds like I should just forget about it and let Backblaze do its thing.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

srt101fan wrote:

Thank you, Longshadow, appreciate your response. When I see these files on the list of files scheduled for backup it just looks like a lot of clutter. Sounds like I should just forget about it and let Backblaze do its thing.

Oh, I wouldn't doubt that there is a lot of superfluous information in those directories,
but there may be some critical info also.

Have an old <unused> machine? Rename the appdata directory to "appdataOLD" and see what doesn't run.

srt101fan

rehess wrote:

The files saved by the browser are kept in case you go there again - they won’t have to be downloaded again .... but they could be. Their purpose is to make multiple visits faster after the first. Personally, I wouldn’t bother to backup them up.

Thanks, rehess. In a scenario where you need to restore to a replacement hard drive, being able to easily revisit websites doesn't seem like a high priority.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Also especially make sure to backup the download folder from your browser - very useful to reinstall your apps after a crash or rebuilding your OS.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Also especially make sure to backup the download folder from your browser - very useful to reinstall your apps after a crash or rebuilding your OS.

srt101fan

TriX wrote:

Also especially make sure to backup the download folder from your browser - very useful to reinstall your apps after a crash or rebuilding your OS.

Good point. My hard drive crashed recently and I had to do a clean Windows install and reload my software. Luckily I still had the CDs for my older apps. One of them is Word 2007. Surprised it's still running!

Riggson Loc: Tucson, Az

Also, if you use Outlook for email the data file with your emails is in a subfolder of users\'account name'\appdata.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

If its important to you, back it up.

Bayou

I always thought it unfortunate that Microsoft chose to make the AppData folder a "hidden" folder. Next to the various "My" folders, AppData is the most significant repository of personal data on a typical computer. Some programs put all of their user generated data in AppData. Hiding it has caused a great many users to be unaware of its importance.

By all means, back it up.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bayou wrote:

I always thought it unfortunate that Microsoft chose to make the AppData folder a "hidden" folder. Next to the various "My" folders, AppData is the most significant repository of personal data on a typical computer. Some programs put all of their user generated data in AppData. Hiding it has caused a great many users to be unaware of its importance.

By all means, back it up.

I have Windows Explorer set to show hidden files and folders.
I don't like hidden...

srt101fan

Riggson wrote:

Also, if you use Outlook for email the data file with your emails is in a subfolder of users\'account name'\appdata.

I don't use Outlook, but that's interesting. I never would have guessed that that's where they stored emails...

srt101fan

Bayou wrote:

I always thought it unfortunate that Microsoft chose to make the AppData folder a "hidden" folder. Next to the various "My" folders, AppData is the most significant repository of personal data on a typical computer. Some programs put all of their user generated data in AppData. Hiding it has caused a great many users to be unaware of its importance.

By all means, back it up.

Since Backblaze backs up the AppData folder by default, and most of you advise leaving it that way, I'll go with that. I just raised the question because I saw and didn't understand the endless lines of folders with long strings of alpha-numeric characters that were listed in the backup schedule. Seemed like a whole bunch of clutter!