saveconfig – Instructions

Installation and updates

Download version 0.10.2 as a DEB and open it with your package manager. Alternatively, in your Downloads directory:

sudo apt install ./saveconfig_0.10.2_all.deb

An existing DEB installation can be upgraded directly without uninstalling first. Close the program and keep a separate profile ZIP backup. A real package upgrade has not yet been practically tested for this version. Start saveconfig from the applications menu. F1 opens offline help.

Profile and backup

Use File → Profiles to set the source home, computer identity, destination and selection. Clicking the destination field opens a folder chooser. File → Scan configurations reads the sources. Select the required areas and choose Back up selected. Each run creates a separate ZIP named after the profile and time; previous backups remain intact.

The ZIP includes selected files, links, permissions, timestamps, extended attributes, manifest, package inventory, database snapshot, profile and settings. Cache and Codex data are excluded. Sensitive data is stored without encryption. Keep the ZIP on protected external storage or a network destination that survives reinstallation. Close source applications first.

Verification and restoration

Verify backup checks content and checksums. After reinstalling your computer, reinstall saveconfig and open File → Restore profile ZIP. The old local database is not required. Computer identity prefers the hashed system/VM UUID and falls back to the installation identity. A different identity requires explicit confirmation of the displayed target computer.

Selected home areas are restored. Existing originals remain beside the target as .saveconfig-original-…. The compact result dialog shows the journal and original paths. Cancellation or failure may leave some areas already replaced; there is no automatic rollback. Before manual recovery, close applications, inspect the journal, separately preserve the new target and move back only the corresponding retained original. System files are not automatically restored into /etc; the package inventory does not install programs.

Network destinations

Mounted network destinations require a matching mount point and share; missing mounts never create local replacement folders. Required locking and exclusive ZIP publication are checked on the actual target before backup. Real external and CIFS/GVfs targets and network loss still require practical testing for this version.

Languages and updates

German and English are included. Eight additional language and help packs can be downloaded in Settings. Available updates are downloaded to Downloads and verified; installation remains a deliberate user action.