[Software] howto backup with system settings and installed programs

[Fred-VIE]

Hello,

I have installed 24.04, then I set it up like I want it to be, made a backup (with the backups software in the system settings), wanted to upgrade the kernel but learned that it wont work with my version. I updated the software and drivers and let it be.

After a restart it did not start anymore. Black screen. Since I wanted Kernel 6.14 anyways and I have learned, that finding a problem takes longer than a reinstall, I installed V25.04, played back the backup and none of the programs I used to have in 24.04 are installed anymore. The window settings are there but are not working (probably due to a KDE-Version upgrade (my guess).

I have just backed up the home folder because I thought that is where the installed programs are as well.

How do I make a backup that includes all the apps I have installed and settings I have made?

[oshunluvr]

Installed programs are in various locations depending on the program, but not ever in your home folder unless you force that change. Normally, an installed program should be available to any user, so if it was in your home, it wouldn't be. Other things, like service menus and the like may be in your home folder or not depending on if you wanted it to be available for everyone or just you.

The answer to your question is: Make a full backup of your root install and home folders. The "how" would depend on file system type and your personal preference of tools.

[jlittle]

Some maybe relevant points I'd recommend thinking about:

• A characteristic of flatpaks is that, by default and recommendation, they install to you your home directory. Whether that's an advantage is debatable.
• Take notes whenever you make a change to a system, including setting changes and installing anything.
• Always use the command line when installing software, and log your commands. Some folks log output as well, but I find that needs trimming. Some folks load the log into a database, but I just use text files and rely on grep.
• IMO a "normal" Linux user, such as one who participates in forums like ours, is likely to want to do a fresh install at some point. Doing it in throwaway installs makes one aware of what's involved.

[Princey]

Hello,

I have installed 24.04, then I set it up like I want it to be, made a backup (with the backups software in the system settings), wanted to upgrade the kernel but learned that it wont work with my version. I updated the software and drivers and let it be.

After a restart it did not start anymore. Black screen. Since I wanted Kernel 6.14 anyways and I have learned, that finding a problem takes longer than a reinstall, I installed V25.04, played back the backup and none of the programs I used to have in 24.04 are installed anymore. The window settings are there but are not working (probably due to a KDE-Version upgrade (my guess).

I have just backed up the home folder because I thought that is where the installed programs are as well.

How do I make a backup that includes all the apps I have installed and settings I have made?

Your best bet would be to use a program like TimeShift. It creates a system snapshot. One caveat is that, by default, it doesn't back up your home folder. Although you can tell it to, most offer advice that you use another program. Either kdebackup on 25.04 or Vorta. In my case, I use TimeShift for system backups (includes all installed programs except flatpaks) and Vorta for file/folders I want backed up in my home folder such as my desktop settings, documents, etc. I ran the upgrade when it prompted me from 24.10 and system got messaged up due to the presence of the Steam app. TimeShift saved the day allowing me to roll back although I later did a fresh install of 24.10 in preparation for when a safe Plucky becomes available. I did so because I've been 'do-release-upgrade" -ing over the past years and just wanted something fresh but with LUKS full disk encryption.

[skyfishgoo]

timeshift is good for backing up the operating system (this includes your installed programs) but if you upgrade and then snap back to an earlier timeshift snapshot, then you will be UNupgraded back to the previos os.

there never any guarantee that your software will still be available after an upgrade from one version to the next, so its always a good idea to keep a separate list of the software you use and then just reinstall it if it's missing.

sometimes you will be able to find a native package for a flatpak you were using and sometimes that native package you were using is now only available as a flatpak... it all depends on what is in the repositories.

for native packages your settings and config files are all stored in your /home dir and for making backups of your /home you can either use the default backup feature of kde or you can use a separate program like deja dup or back in time ... i don't recommend using a flatpak for this job

[rec9140]

Your best bet would be to use a program like TimeShift. It creates a system snapshot. One caveat is that, by default, it doesn't back up your home folder. Although you can tell it to, most offer advice that you use another program.

This topic is something that has been on my list for a while... so I am going to be Curious George...

Why do I need 2 PROGRAMS if TimeShift can be set to do the full back up (NO I have not researched any of the various backup software recently, as most don't want to do what I want, and this is way way way out of bounds for this topic.)

Whats the issue with TimeShift and /home back ups??

[claydoh]

Because OS recovery and data backup are two different tasks?
Timeshift is not a backup tool.

[skyfishgoo]

Whats the issue with TimeShift and /home back ups??

timeshift is all or nothing... you take everything back in time or you don't

it's best to let this be limited to just your system stuffs, and not your data to avoid losing your hard work.

when it's set to just the system files your data (and settings to get back to the topic) remain untouched

for backing up data (and settings) i'm liking Back in Time for it's simplicity and ability to do incremental backups that i can then access directly via dolphin if need be.

the built in Backups tool in the system tray is also pretty good and may make a good idiot proof complement to less frequent Back in Time snapshots.

so now you need THREE tools