How to disable the Active File Exclusion feature in Backup Exec

Backup Exec uses the Active File Exclusion feature to eliminate the Microsoft Exchange Server, the SQL Server, the Share Point Portal Server, and the Lotus Notes/Domino flat-files from the file system backup. This will prevent "in use - skipped" errors on the .EDB, the .STM, and the .LOG files. In some cases backups may run for a few seconds then appear to complete with only 1k of data with no error messages.  The Active File Exclusion feature also prevents .EXE files registered as Services from being backed up as part of the file system backup since those files are part of the System State backup.

If for some reason, the Active File Exclusion functionality needs to be turned off, a registry key can be created, which will allow a flat-file backup of the data store directories through the file system backup. To do this, follow the instructions given below:

1. Stop all Backup Exec Services on the media server

2. Click Start | Run, type regedt32 , and then click OK (Figure 1)

 

Figure 1
 

 
 

 

Warning : Incorrect use of the Windows registry editor may prevent the operating system from functioning properly. Great care should be taken when making changes to a Windows registry. Registry modifications should only be carried-out by persons experienced in the use of the registry editor application. It is recommended that a complete backup of the registry and workstation be made prior to making any registry changes.
 

3. Browse the following registry key (Figure 2):

 

Current supported Backup Exec Versions

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veritas\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\Misc

 

Or

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\Misc

 

Before Backup Exec 11d: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VERITAS\Backup Exec\Engine\Misc

12.x or 2010 : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\Misc

 

Figure 2
 

 
 

4. Click Edit | New | DWORD value (Figure 3)

 

Figure 3
 

 
 

5. Type Exclude Active Files as the name of the key and type 0 as the data value (Figure 4)

 

Figure 4
 

 
 

6. Start all Backup Exec services on the media server