Creating a Desktop Shortcut to Run Backups

Overview

Creating a desktop shortcut enables a backup to be easily run without needing to launch the Macrium Reflect application or select the type of backup (full, differential, or incremental) that will be created.

This can simplify the process of running ad hoc backups, for example, before performing system updates.

Before creating a desktop shortcut, a backup definition file will need to be created, which contains all of the information (e.g., which disks and partitions to back up, the path to the destination folder, advanced settings, etc) to run the backup. If you have not already created a backup definition file, follow the steps in this article to create a disk image backup definition or follow the steps in this article to create a file and folder backup definition.

A desktop shortcut can also be created to run a clone. Since this is less commonly performed, the steps in this article primarily discuss creating a desktop shortcut for a backup job. However, the same steps can be followed to create a desktop shortcut to run a clone.

Creating a Desktop Shortcut

To create a desktop shortcut to run a backup definition file, select the 'Definition Files' tab, under the 'Create Backups' tab:

Right-click on the definition file that the desktop shortcut will run, then select 'Create a Desktop Shortcut...':

The window that opens enables additional options to be specified for the desktop shortcut, including the name of the shortcut file and the type of backup that the shortcut will run:

Option		Description
Source File		The full path and name of the backup definition file that the desktop shortcut runs
Backup Type	Full	Launching the desktop shortcut will create a full backup.
	Differential	Launching the desktop shortcut will create a differential backup.
	Incremental	Launching the desktop shortcut will create an incremental backup.
	Prompt	Launching the desktop shortcut will prompt for the user to select the type of backup that will run:
Target Name		The name of the desktop shortcut.

Select 'OK' to create the desktop shortcut: