Family Historian User Group

Quick question.... if i want to delete / remove projects that I have completed, but may want to go back to at some point in the future (I have done quite a few in the last few years for other people, all backed up to my laptop and to a USB stick) should I copy the project to a USB, delete it from the laptop and copy it back to use when / if needed, or use the restore option? Hope that makes sense!

Use the File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup command and Save the .fhbak file to external media such as USB stick.
That can later be restored using the File > Backup/Restore > Restore Backup... command.

Use the File > Project Window > More Tasks > Delete Project option to delete any unwanted Project.
Beware that it does not go to the Recycle Bin, so ensure you have a backup beforehand.

Thanks Mike, i was going to do that but then wondered if it was simpler to save the project itself. I've luckily never needed to use the restore backup option - hence the hesitation - but could do with the space these projects are taking up as they have loads of photos, snips of certs and newspapers etc.

What could be simpler than File > Backup/Restore > Full Backup?
It also has the advantage of putting everything in a compressed ZIP (.fhbak) folder which saves space.
The Backup, Restore, and Delete are all managed by FH so there is less likelihood of mistakes.
Whereas, using Windows File Explorer, needs knowledge of the FH Project folder structure, which you probably have but still requires an extra level of concentration.

Thanks Mike, i have done the full backup of all my projects to laptop and usb this morning (various dates before), just reluctant to remove the others, not my own, without having tried a restore. I may never be asked to add further info to these other trees so i'll go ahead as suggested.

You can safely perform a Restore Backup of a Full Project Backup now without overwriting the original Project because it adds a suffix (2) to ensure the Project name is different.
However, after deleting the Project, the Restore Backup will use the original Project name without the suffix.
See FHUG Knowledge Base Backup and Recovery.
BTW: I have assumed that all the linked Media files are saved within the Project in its Media subfolder.
Media files saved external to a Project are NOT included in a Full Project Backup.

Thanks Mike, i may try that, just to satisfy myself of the process Yes, all my media files are in the media sub-folder (as well as in separate research folders which i'll save backup copies to usb as well). Thanks.

I would only add that it might be prudent to copy those backup to two different USB sticks. They have been known to fail, so extra backup is generally a good idea!!

Deirdre784 wrote: ↑

01 Dec 2022 12:36

Thanks Mike, i may try that, just to satisfy myself of the process Yes, all my media files are in the media sub-folder (as well as in separate research folders which i'll save backup copies to usb as well). Thanks.

fhtess65 wrote: ↑

01 Dec 2022 15:56

I would only add that it might be prudent to copy those backup to two different USB sticks. They have been known to fail, so extra backup is generally a good idea!!

Deirdre784 wrote: ↑

01 Dec 2022 12:36

Thanks Mike, i may try that, just to satisfy myself of the process Yes, all my media files are in the media sub-folder (as well as in separate research folders which i'll save backup copies to usb as well). Thanks.

Yes, good idea thanks