Automatic Backups by Windows Task Scheduler

While creating a manual backup is a method to ensure you have a recovery option in the event of a catastrophic failure, what if you forget to keep up with that backup routine? Therefore, it’s a better practice to establish an automated task that will routinely backup your database. So, let’s talk about how to make this a reality.

This process will need to be performed on the server computer, where backup files are generated. So if you're not already on the server computer, you'll want to get there before proceeding.  

1. First, we need to obtain preliminary information. Log into your ESC database and then go to Help → About. This may be done from the server or a workstation. However, the following steps will take place on the server computer, so you want to tackle this step at the server computer. In the example, below, you’ll notice the name of the database is Sample.
   
   
   
2. Now, you’ll need to download this file: BackupBatchMaker.bat; located at the bottom of this screen. When prompted, select Run to launch this file. If your browser does not display a Run option, you will need to save the file to your computer first and launch it from there.
   
   
   
   
3. Upon launching the file, you’ll be asked for the name of your database. Type in your database name, exactly the same as you noted in Step 1, and press Enter. In the image, above, you’ll notice that the database entered is "Sample", since that is the name of my test company.
4. After pressing enter, you’ll be notified that a file has been created within a folder called ESCBACKUP, in the “C:” directory.
5. First, we need to get to the Windows Task Scheduler. You can do this by opening your Start menu or Start screen and typing "Task Scheduler" and select that program when it appears.
   
   
   
   
6. Under the Actions section, select the Create Basic Task option.
   
   
   
   
7. The first screen of the Create Basic Task Wizard will ask you to name the task. Designate the Name of the task as "ESC Backup". Then click Next.
   
   
   
   
8. On the Triggers tab, select the Daily button. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
9. In the Daily screen, your Start date will automatically be set to the current date. Select a time you want your backups to run. Your automatic backup task will run at this time every day. Once you have selected a time, click Next.
   
   
   
   Note: If you run full server backups on a daily basis, you will want your ESC database backup to be performed before the server backup, so that the database backup is included with your server backup.
10. You are now in the Action screen. Start a Program should already be selected, you may click Next.
    
    
    
    
11. In the Start a Program screen, click the Browse button next to the Program/Script field and navigate to the ESCBACKUP folder that was created on your primary hard drive and select the backup file that was created there. Then click the Open button. This will bring you back to the Start a Program screen where you can simply click Next.
    
    
    
    
    
12. You are now in the Finish screen. This screen will show you the Task name, the schedule (Daily, Time) and the file that it will run. Click Finish.
    
    

You have now established a task that will back-up your ESC database in the Task Scheduler!