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Backups

A backup is a ZIP file with the entire database and all uploaded images and documents — a complete snapshot of your genealogy research. With it, you can get back if something goes wrong, and move PastPaths to a new computer.

Back up regularly

Make a backup before upgrading PastPaths or importing large amounts of data. It's the fastest way back if something goes wrong.

Create a backup

  1. Go to Administration → Import & Export.
  2. Click Create backup in the System backup card.

The file is saved in the export folder, in the Backups subfolder, with a name like pastpaths_backup_20261011_143000.zip. Once the backup is done, the size and path are shown in a notification with the Open folder and Copy path buttons.

If the backup fails, an error message is shown and the incomplete file is removed. So you never end up with a half-finished ZIP file that looks like a backup.

What's included?

  • The database with all persons, events, places, relationships, sources, blog posts, and everything else you've entered. It's included as it is at that moment, even while PastPaths is running.
  • Uploaded files — all images and documents in the uploads folder.

The log files and the program's own settings, such as the chosen language, aren't included. Neither are copies of imported files in uploads\imports.

The export folder

Everything PastPaths exports is saved in the PastPaths folder under Documents:

Subfolder Contents
Backups Backups from the Import & Export page
GEDCOM GEDCOM exports
Reports Reports and the family tree PDF

The path is shown at the top of the Import & Export page, with the Open export folder button and a button that copies the path. The same button is on the Maintenance page.

The Documents folder is the one Windows specifies. If Windows has moved Documents to OneDrive, the export folder ends up there and is synced to OneDrive.

From earlier versions

Earlier versions saved backups and GEDCOM exports in the Downloads folder, and reports in Documents\PastPaths\Rapporter. Those files stay where they are. Feel free to move them to the export folder so everything is in one place.

Keep the backup in more places

A backup that only exists on the same computer won't help if the hard drive fails. Copy the ZIP file from the Backups folder:

  • Good: to a USB stick or an external hard drive.
  • Best: to several places, for example two external hard drives, one of which is kept somewhere other than where the computer is.

Don't put PastPaths in a synced cloud folder

Don't put the program folder or the database in a folder that syncs with OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, or similar. The database can be damaged if it's synced while PastPaths is running. A backup is an ordinary ZIP file and isn't harmed by being synced. Keep in mind, though, that it contains details about living people, and that cloud services aren't always suitable for sensitive personal data.

Restore a backup

  1. Go to Administration → Import & Export.
  2. Choose the ZIP file in the Select backup ZIP field in the System backup card.
  3. Click Restore and confirm.
  4. Restart PastPaths once the restore is done.

Before the restore, a copy of the current database is saved in Documents\PastPaths-Backups\pre-restore, with a name like pastpaths_20261011_143000_pre_restore.db. The copy stays there in case you ever need to go back.

Restoring replaces the database

The database is replaced with the one in the backup, and the uploaded files in the backup are put back. Anything added to the database after the backup was created will be lost. Images and documents uploaded after that stay on disk but are no longer linked to anything. The Clean up media button under Maintenance finds them.

The installer's backups

When you upgrade PastPaths, the installer offers to make a backup. The backup of the database and uploaded files is selected by default. A full copy of the entire program folder is only made if you select it.

You choose the folder yourself. The suggestion is Documents\PastPaths-Backups. A new folder with the date and time is created each time. Old copies are never removed automatically.

Move PastPaths to a new computer

  1. Make a backup on the old computer.
  2. Copy the ZIP file from the Backups folder to the new computer, for example with a USB stick.
  3. Install PastPaths on the new computer and start the program.
  4. Restore the backup under Administration → Import & Export.
  5. Restart PastPaths.

If you also want to move the installer's backups, copy the Documents\PastPaths-Backups folder as well. To bring along reports and GEDCOM exports, copy the whole export folder Documents\PastPaths.

See also