How to backup hidden files/folders?

It should include all hidden files and folders by default. There is no setting you need to enable in Back in Time to make it back these up.

You may not be able to see them, but Back in Time upon performing the back-up, will be able to. To test this theory (if you need to) run the back up. You can check the back-up archive for the hidden files and folders. They will be there.

For example when you backup /home it is backing up all of your hidden folders (these begin with ".") and may not be visible unless you may them visible to yourself.

In Nautilus you can press CTRL + H to show hidden files and folders.

Back in Time, when backing up, will back up ALL files and folders (no matter if they are hidden or not).

I think I see what you are asking -- when selecting your "files" in BiT just select the directory.

This will automatically select ALL files (including hidden files & folders) within that directory. There is no need to select invididual files within the directory. With my example, I am saying to just select /home ... as this will backup *everything* (including hidden files/folders) within your /home directory.

Does this make sense?

Many thanks, and you have fully answered my question (and I have tested). However, I think the option to backup single hidden folders (and even single files from a folder) would be useful. Is there a place where I can make suggestions to the author of this wonderful utility?

Many thanks, and I will do as you suggest.

Thanks Craig Huffstetler, that solved my question.

I have now filed this wish as a bug. Thanks.

I would like to add something to Martin's question. Maybe it's the same question...

I do not want to backup my .wine folder (which is actually a partition as it's huge), however I would like to backup my SAVE folder in ~/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Steam/steamapps/steamuser/half-life 2/hl2.

If I "include" the SAVE folder and "exclude" ~/.wine, which one takes preference. They both seem to contradict each other in a way.

I have browsed backintime folders directly on my usb hardrive, but there is now sign of any hidden folders on my home folder. Am I doing something wrong, or is this a bug?

Check Settings -> Exclude. Have you removed the .* exclude? As I understand it any hidden folder starts with a dot, and thus you need to remove it to have your hidden files backed up (it works for me).

Yes, I found that hidden files (*.) are set to be excluded by default! So it would be better to say, hidden files get saved automatically, but only after the installed defaults have been changed not to exclude them.

Yes, I found that hidden files (*.) are set to be excluded by default! So it would be better to say, hidden files get saved automatically, but only after the installed defaults have been changed not to exclude them.

This isn't very clear is it? There should be a click to include hidden files option.

BIT >= 1.0 is less restrictive by default.

Regards,
Dan

I've followed this thread, and this is ridiculous
1) There seems to be no way to back up specific "hidden" files (starting with a "."), despite the suggestion to enter the name with path. This doesn't work directly in BIT, and won't work in Nautilus.
2) Why would the graphical file selection specifically exclude "hidden" files ?
3) Why wouldn't the graphical interface allow direct entry of the file name ? (whether or not the file is a directory.)
This is a very frustrating deficit, which prevents me from using it ... otherwise it seems that BIT is a very well thought out utility.