how to structure Configuration alternative backup folder

[Diane P]

I would like to have backup files go to a folder on my F drive, but I don't know how to write this. Would it be written like:   F:/ and the folder name?

Then will all my backups for this project (or other projects) will go to this drive?

I appreciate direction on this before my fingers go typing along on their merry way and cause me more problems.

Thanks,

Diane

[Peter T.]

On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 6:08:48 PM UTC+1 Diane P wrote:

 Would it be written like:   F:/ and the folder name?

No, it wouldn't. Under Windows, you use backslashes within paths, like so: 

F:\my-backup-folder

If you aren't sure, just copy the path via the clipboard. 

[Peter T.]

Another thought: If the path to your bakcup folder contains spaces, don't forget to put the full path into quotes: 

"F:\My backup folder"

[Peter T.]

I just tried it and realized I was wrong: the quotation marks must be omitted for it to work withyYWriter. Sorry. 

[Peter T.]

Well, it's tricky. To summarize: The path you enter in the yWriter dialog may contain spaces, but it must not be enclosed in quotes. So if you copy the path to the Windows clipboard, you may need to remove the quotes. 

Of course, a file selection dialog would be best at this point. 

[Peter T.]

On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 8:19:16 PM UTC+1 Peter T. wrote:

Well, it's tricky. To summarize: The path you enter in the yWriter dialog may contain spaces, but it must not be enclosed in quotes. So if you copy the path to the Windows clipboard, you may need to remove the quotes. 

Of course, a file selection dialog would be best at this point. 

Me again. I played around with yWriter some more and discovered that you don't have to enter an existing directory in the input field for the alternative backup folder. yWriter automatically creates the folder itself at the specified path, which can also have deeper levels. 

The downside, however, is that although the path can be changed later, it cannot be completely deleted. So once you have specified an alternative folder, yWriter will save its backups there, even if you delete the path in the dialog box. And if you delete the backup folder itself, yWriter will recreate it again and again. 

To completely undo the entry of the alternative backup folder, I see no other way than to edit the configuration file 

"C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Roaming\Spacejock Software\yWriter7\yWriter7.ini" 

and delete the line that starts with "AltBackupFolder". 

Or is there something I've overlooked?

[Peter T.]

On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 8:40:33 PM UTC+1 Peter T. wrote:

To completely undo the entry of the alternative backup folder, I see no other way than to edit the configuration file 

"C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Roaming\Spacejock Software\yWriter7\yWriter7.ini" 

and delete the line that starts with "AltBackupFolder". 

Oh yes, you can deactivate the alternative backup folder via the dialog box by invalidating the path, for example by putting it in quotation marks. So no problem at all. 

Now that's really enough for today!

[Diane Pearson]

Thanks for the info. You kind of lost me here with this message. But that's okay. I removed the spaces on my folder name and will test backup later today or tomorrow. LOL at the slash—I knew there had to be one (or more). It's been at least 30 years since I had to type out a file path string. 

Have a Happy Holiday season. And may the new year bring you peace and joy!

Diane

---

From: ywr...@googlegroups.com <ywr...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter T. <peter.pape...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2025 1:40 PM
To: yWriter <ywr...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [yWriter] Re: how to structure Configuration alternative backup folder

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "yWriter" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ywriter+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ywriter/3ae9fa94-7a11-4769-8050-b6b6c43a538an%40googlegroups.com.

[Peter T.]

On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 9:45:54 PM UTC+1 Diane Pearson wrote:

Thanks for the info. You kind of lost me here with this message. But that's okay. I removed the spaces on my folder name and will test backup later today or tomorrow. LOL at the slash—I knew there had to be one (or more). It's been at least 30 years since I had to type out a file path string. 

Have a Happy Holiday season. And may the new year bring you peace and joy!

Diane

I wish the same for you, Diane.

And if you ever want yWriter to stop saving your backups to an alternate folder, just reread my messages.

Cheers, 

Peter