TBB Backup 0.4.2: protected Windows folder fix
Automatically skip Windows drive metadata and recycle storage, with clearer folder exclusion instructions.
Backing up a drive root could fail with WinError 5 when the scanner reached System Volume Information. TBB Backup 0.4.2 now automatically excludes System Volume Information and $RECYCLE.BIN before trying to access their contents, across Normal folders, ZIP and Space-saving versions. Reserved folder names are matched without case sensitivity.
To exclude one of your own folders, open Backup Jobs → Edit job and enter its exact name under Exclude names or patterns. Separate entries with semicolons. A matching folder and all its contents are skipped. Existing exclusions are preserved.
Other permission failures on ordinary project data still fail the backup rather than silently omitting your files. No Windows permission changes or administrator access are needed for these built-in exclusions.
Twenty-seven backend tests pass, including all three methods with simulated denied access to protected folders and preservation of ordinary project files. Native Windows acceptance testing remains limited.
Close TBB Backup before installing the update. Existing jobs and versions remain compatible. The web installer requires internet for initial private-runtime setup.
[Download TBB Backup](/apps/tbb-backup) · [Exclusions and troubleshooting](/guides/tbb-backup-manage-and-troubleshoot)
Added
- Automatic exclusion of System Volume Information and $RECYCLE.BIN
- Clearer instructions for excluding your own folders
Fixed
- Protected system directories are filtered before metadata access
- All three methods apply protected-folder exclusions
Known issues
- Schedules require the app to remain open
- Retention does not reclaim old stored data
- Native Windows acceptance testing remains limited