Core Operations
Intelligent File Backup, Monitoring, Automation and Multi-Destination Delivery — AnyFileBackup Core Features
AnyFileBackup is built around four task types — Backup, Monitoring, Clean-Up, and Run Actions — each combining a source, configurable file filters, optional targets, a schedule, and actions that fire at any stage. This section covers how each operation works, how tasks are scheduled — from simple daily timers to real-time filesystem triggers and CRON expressions — and how automation ties everything together on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Copy or move files from any source to one or more destinations — automatically, on any schedule.
Intelligent File Backup — Four Transfer Modes
AnyFileBackup transfers files from a source to one or more targets using one of four primary filter modes. All Files transfers every file that matches the configured filters on every run. Incremental transfers only files that are new or have changed since the previous run, keeping subsequent runs fast. Decremental removes from the Target any file that has been deleted from the Source — it propagates deletions without copying new or changed files, making it useful in workflows where source deletions must be reflected at the destination. Mirroring combines both: new and changed files are transferred to the Target, and files deleted from the Source are also deleted from the Target, keeping the Target an exact replica.
The default backup type is Copy — source files remain in place after transfer. Move removes each file from the Source after it has been successfully delivered to all configured targets, making it suitable for processing pipelines where files are consumed as they pass through. When a file with the same name already exists at a Target, conflict resolution determines the outcome: replace always, replace only if the Target copy is older, rename the incoming file, rename the existing Target file, or skip the transfer entirely. Optional filters — by date, size, file attributes, or filename mask — narrow the selection independently of the primary mode.
Schedule tasks to run on any pattern — from a simple time-based timer to instant filesystem triggers and on-demand execution.
Flexible Scheduling — Four Schedule Types
Regular covers all time-based scheduling — from simple day-and-time dropdowns to six-field CRON expressions — giving precise control over when and how often a task runs. Real-time reacts the instant the OS reports a file system change in the source folder, with no polling and no delay; it is available for local and LAN sources. Manual leaves the trigger entirely in your hands — the task runs on demand, whenever you choose to start it. Linked turns a task into a dependency target: it stays ready and fires the moment another task triggers it via an Execute task action.
Each time the schedule fires, any attached actions run first — a natural place to send a start notification, set a variable, or prepare the environment before the main operation begins. For a full breakdown of all four schedule types and CRON syntax, see Scheduling Options.
Set it up once — AnyFileBackup watches the source and reacts the moment anything changes.
Detect File Changes Automatically — Monitoring
The Monitoring operation keeps a constant watch on any source — local folder or LAN share, FTP or SFTP server, S3 bucket, or mailbox — and compares what it finds against a snapshot from the previous run. New files, changed files, deleted files: the moment any are detected, the configured actions fire. If nothing has changed, nothing happens. No scripting, no polling, no manual checks.
For local and LAN sources, combine Monitoring with the Real-time schedule and AnyFileBackup reacts the instant the OS reports a change — effectively zero lag. For FTP, S3, and mailbox sources, scheduling the task to run every few seconds keeps response times just as short. Either way, AnyFileBackup does the watching so you do not have to.
Send notifications, run scripts, chain tasks together — at any point in any task, without writing a line of code.
Workflow Automation — Actions at Every Stage
Four action types — Send email, Execute application, Execute task, and Set variable — are available at every point in a task's life: activation, schedule, per-file transfer, and completion. Actions at activation, schedule, and per-file steps always run unconditionally. At the On Completion step, each action fires on a condition of your choice: always, only on success, only on error, or only when no files were processed. String them together and AnyFileBackup handles the entire workflow — notifications, dependent tasks, post-processing scripts — without a line of custom code.
The Run Actions task type takes this further: no source, no file transfers, just a sequence of actions that orchestrates other tasks, sends consolidated reports, and launches external processes. The Clean-Up task type applies the same model to deletion — define a filter rule by age, name pattern, or size, and AnyFileBackup removes the matching files on schedule, permanently and silently.
One source, any number of destinations — local, FTP, S3, WebDAV, and email, all at once.
One Task, Multiple Destinations
A single AnyFileBackup task can write to any number of targets at the same time. Supported destination types include local folders, Windows LAN shares, FTP/FTPS/SFTP servers, S3-compatible cloud storage buckets, WebDAV servers, and email recipients. All targets share the same source; each target independently controls its own file filters — determining which files from the source it actually receives — and its own Modify before transfer setting, which controls whether files arrive plain, compressed, encrypted, or decrypted. One target can receive a compressed encrypted archive while another receives the same file plain, all from the same task run.
AnyFileBackup processes files one at a time through all configured targets before moving to the next file. The first file is delivered to all targets, then the second, and so on — rather than sending all files to Target 1 and then all to Target 2. This produces a predictable, sequential audit trail and ensures that progress on subsequent files is not blocked by a slow or failing target. For the full list of supported destination types and connection setup, see Backup Destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Windows versions does AnyFileBackup support?
AnyFileBackup runs on Windows 10 (version 21H2 and later) and Windows 11, as well as Windows Server 2019 and 2025. x64 only — 32-bit systems are not supported. It can also run as a Windows Service for unattended, always-on operation.
What are the four backup modes and how do they differ?
All Files transfers every file matching the configured filters on every run. Incremental transfers only files that are new or have changed since the previous run. Decremental removes from the Target any file that has been deleted from the Source — it propagates deletions without copying new or changed files. Mirroring combines both: new and changed files are transferred, and files deleted from the Source are also deleted from the Target, keeping the Target an exact replica of the Source.
What schedule types does AnyFileBackup support?
AnyFileBackup offers four schedule types: Regular (time-based, from simple day-and-time dropdowns to six-field CRON expressions), Real-time (triggers instantly on file system change — local and LAN sources only), Manual (on-demand, runs when you choose), and Linked (fires when triggered by another task via an Execute task action).
Can I run a task more frequently on some days than others?
Yes. A single task can have multiple schedule events — for example, a Daily event that runs a full backup at midnight every day, combined with a Periodical event that runs an incremental transfer every 30 minutes during business hours. Each event fires independently.
How does the Monitoring operation detect file changes?
The Monitoring operation compares the current state of the source against a snapshot recorded at the end of the previous run. Files are tracked by name — a renamed file counts as both a deletion (old name) and an addition (new name). When new, changed, or deleted files are found, the configured actions fire. If nothing has changed, nothing happens. Monitoring works with any supported source type: local folder or LAN share, FTP/FTPS/SFTP server, S3-compatible bucket, or mailbox.
Can a single task write to multiple destinations at the same time?
Yes. A single AnyFileBackup task can write to any number of targets simultaneously — local folders, FTP/SFTP servers, S3 buckets, WebDAV servers, and email recipients. All targets share the same source. Each target independently controls its own file filters and its own transformation setting, so different targets can receive different files or the same file in different formats from the same task run.
How do I set up automated file retention and clean-up?
Create a Clean-Up task and configure its file filter rules — for example, files older than 30 days or matching a specific filename pattern. Schedule it to run daily, weekly, or periodically. It permanently deletes only the files that match the criteria and leaves everything else untouched. Add a Send email action to receive a confirmation report after each run.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes. AnyFileBackup offers a free 30-day trial with full functionality — no registration required. Download the trial and evaluate all four task types, all source types, multi-destination transfers, and the full automation model before purchasing a licence.
Can AnyFileBackup run automatically without a user logged in?
Yes. AnyFileBackup can be installed and run as a Windows Service, allowing scheduled tasks and monitoring to execute in the background even when no user is logged in. This is ideal for servers and unattended workstations.