26 replies to this topic

[BurgersNFries]

How to backup your Windows client Evernote database

• Invoke Evernote
• Go to tools/options/general tab. This shows the folder where your Evernote database & associated files live on your Windows computer. Make a note of it.
• Completely exit Evernote. IE, make sure no EN icon is showing in the system tray.
• Copy & paste the folder noted above. I prefer to append the date of the backup in the folder name in YYYYMMDD format. IE, I will copy "My EN Files" to "My EN Files 20111209". This is helpful when you have multiple backups b/c you can sort them chronologically & also quickly know when the backup was done.
• That's it.

FYI, the most crucial file is the YourUserName.exb file where "YourUserName" is your EN account login name. But I prefer to backup all the files. If you wish, you can simply copy the exb file.

EDIT on 2/3/2012: ALL notebooks, regardless if they are local (non-sync'd) or sync'd are stored in your exb file. All attachments are also stored in your exb file. IOW, this gets the whole kit & kaboodle.

(Or is that kitten kaboodle???)

[rogerpettay]

Thanks! This is very helpful.

I think I am understanding you to say that you copy the entire folder, for example mine contains "myname.exb" and a couple of other files as well (e.g. "myname".esb.back and "myname.exb.thumbnail) I could simply choose to copy the all important "mynamefile.exb" and that would be sufficient, but If I copied the entire folder --I would also be backing up the other 2 files I saw in that file folder as well?

One last question, do you have any clue what the "myname".esb.back file would be?

[BurgersNFries]

You're welcome!

I think I am understanding you to say that you copy the entire folder, for example mine contains "myname.exb" and a couple of other files as well (e.g. "myname".esb.back and "myname.exb.thumbnail) I could simply choose to copy the all important "mynamefile.exb" and that would be sufficient, but If I copied the entire folder --I would also be backing up the other 2 files I saw in that file folder as well?

Correct. Occasionlly, when I'm backing up, I end up getting the message that the target drive isn't large enough & it's b/c of a bunch of files in the attachments folder (I think that's the one.) So I just delete them all, so I can get a good backup on another physical drive. (BECAUSE...the attachments are actually stored in the exb file. The ones in the attachment folder are the temp ones used when viewing the attachment...or something like that...) But indeed, per CTO Dave Engberg, the exb file is the crucial one. So if you just do that one, you should be covered.

One last question, do you have any clue what the "myname".esb.back file would be?

No clue.

[Michael Campbell]

What all does this back up? (Or I guess I'm asking... what's in this dir?)

Specifically,if I have local notebooks, are they captured in this backup? That's my main concern; where do I go to backup local notebooks. If I get the synced ones as part of the deal, so much the better.

I guess it seems odd to me that there wouldn't be a separate (set of) file(s) for each notebook.

[BurgersNFries]

All notes/notebooks (sync'd & local) for a single account reside in a single database.

[Michael Campbell]

All notes/notebooks (sync'd & local) for a single account reside in a single database.

Awesome; thanks. I guess a cron job to archive and push-to-<backup location> is all I need for the whole shootin' match then.

[Tree Oven]

All notes/notebooks (sync'd & local) for a single account reside in a single database.

Awesome; thanks. I guess a cron job to archive and push-to-<backup location> is all I need for the whole shootin' match then.

That is as long as EN is shut down, apparently.

@The Evernote Team: Would be nice if EN did an auto backup on exit with an option for networked drives and number of backups to keep.
@OP: great post. Thank you.

[Rgrenader]

Why not use a dedicated HD backup/imaging program like Norton Ghost (or whatever they are calling it these days)? I keep a current backup on an external USB mirrored disk daily of everything. Cheap and effective.

[ClutterBGone]

Great tip and excellent idea. I found "old" database with EN 3 and EN 3.5. Did a quick check on the dates of "my database" and found that some of them were several years old, so out they went! Many thank for all of your ideas and support.
David in Wichita

[BurgersNFries]

Why not use a dedicated HD backup/imaging program like Norton Ghost (or whatever they are calling it these days)? I keep a current backup on an external USB mirrored disk daily of everything. Cheap and effective.

I do that too. But I like having archives, too. Especially helpful in case you need to revert to an old note either in a local (non-sync'd notebook) or for free users who don't have access to note history.

[idoc]

BnF,
Is it necessary to close down EN when you do this? I notice that even when I close down EN there is still a little clipper icon in the system tray, do I close that down as well? Part of the reason why I am questioning this is that when you open that dialog box in EN which gives you the files you need to copy, it would be nice to do a simple copy and paste. I could copy those files, close down EN and then paste them into my backup folder. However, if I do that it would mean that I copied those files while EN was open (contrary to your instructions). The alternative is that I close EN and go to where those files reside ie: appdata/local/evernote/evernote/database to copy all the relevant files (I could put a shortcut to my desktop for that folder).

[BurgersNFries]

BnF,
Is it necessary to close down EN when you do this?

Many copy/backup commands/programs will not copy a file that is open with write access. If you know your app will do this, then it is not necessary to shut down EN.

[idoc]

BnF,
Is it necessary to close down EN when you do this?

Many copy/backup commands/programs will not copy a file that is open with write access. If you know your app will do this, then it is not necessary to shut down EN.

Actually, I am not backing it up directly: I am merely copy/pasting it into a "backup folder" which is backed up each night by Mozy. Evernote is frequently open when Mozy does its backup but I think that's probably irrelevant.

[Owyn]

It is best to File/Exit Evernote before backing up the user.exb file.
It is possible that you could be trying to copy the file while a database update is in process.

[BurgersNFries]

Actually, I am not backing it up directly: I am merely copy/pasting it into a "backup folder" which is backed up each night by Mozy. Evernote is frequently open when Mozy does its backup but I think that's probably irrelevant.

I wouldn't say that it's irrelevant. IIRC, there are times when basic Windows copy/paste won't copy a file that is open/open with write access/being updated/etc. (I haven't used regular copy/paste in years. IMO, Teracopy is a much better copy/paste app.) The only way to be absolutely certain is to compare the last modified date/time & size of each file to confirm they match.

It is best to File/Exit Evernote before backing up the user.exb file.
It is possible that you could be trying to copy the file while a database update is in process.

Yup. When it comes to backups, I prefer to err on the side of caution.

[cabozone]

I have written a batch file that will backup your Evernote data folder to an alternate location, such as drop box.

For this to work correctly you must exit the tray icon and click the Do Not Notify Me, this will allow the kill process to shut down Evernote completely.

Create a folder in where you want to backup the files to first. Such as in your google drive or dropbox synced folders. Or a folder that you are using to backup with an application like Crashplan, Carbonite or Mozy.

REM --BATCH FILE START--

REM Command line task kill process to shut down Evernote.
TaskKill /IM Evernote*

REM This removes the past update files that you dont want to backup.
Del C:\Users\tnelson\AppData\Local\Evernote\Evernote\AutoUpdate\*.exe

REM Copies your evernote files to your Dropbox folder for Sync to the web. * Substitute the Destination with your destination.
xcopy C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Evernote\Evernote C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Dropbox\Evernote /e/s/v/y

REM Restarts the evernote tray icon to begin sync again.
Start /D "C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\" EvernoteTray.exe
REM --BATCH FILE END--

If you leave your computer on all the time you can use windows scheduler to have this run every night.

[Colin]

I can validate the requirement to close down EN. I once tried to include the db folder in my SpiderOak back up, and it was a disaster. Each update by EN resulted in the db looking like a new file to Spideroak, so I got stuck in a never ending circle of backing up multiple copies of my database.

I will not be doing that again.

[ChapStick]

Hi,

First of all, let me say thank you to everyone who has posted such helpful info on this thread!

I do, however, have what are probably a few "duh" questions regarding backup:

1.) After I make an EN backup, how do I open the .exb file extension? Can this only be opened via EverNote?
2.) If I assume the worst happens and I lose my EN information in a crash, will I be able to later use my backup with the .exb file extension to reopen (and therefore recover) all of my files in EN?

Thank you for your help!

[BurgersNFries]

Hi,

First of all, let me say thank you to everyone who has posted such helpful info on this thread!

I do, however, have what are probably a few "duh" questions regarding backup:

1.) After I make an EN backup, how do I open the .exb file extension? Can this only be opened via EverNote?
2.) If I assume the worst happens and I lose my EN information in a crash, will I be able to later use my backup with the .exb file extension to reopen (and therefore recover) all of my files in EN?

Thank you for your help!

The exb file is a MySQL database file.

In Windows, to restore from a backup or move your database to another computer:

Hi Tymbee,
welcome to the forum.
Actually it is quite simple:

Install a new and clean EN app on your new harddisk.
Go to TOOLS >> OPTIONS to make sure where your (new and empty) database file is located (username.exb).
Then replace that file with your backup .exb file (the old one that you saved).
Exit and restart EN.
You should see your notes.
Good luck.
Wern

[ChapStick]

Hi Wern,

Thank you for your quick response and easy-to-understand directions!