Follow Link defines whether to follow an NTFS junction point or NTFS symbolic link during backup.
The following table summarize the backup with the follow link option:
Follow Link | Action |
Enabled | Backup junction point or symbolic link as well as the directories and files that it links to (even if the target data are not located under the backup source). |
Disabled | Backup junction point or symbolic link only. |
When the follow link option is enabled, not only is the symbolic link or junction point backed up, but directories and files that the junction point links to will also be backed up.
Restore outcome would be different with the different setting used during backup and restore (e.g. there is a follow link option for backup and a follow link option in the restore menu).
The following table summarizes the outcome when a restore is performed with different options:
Follow Link | Restore to | Action |
Enabled | Original Location |
Junction points are restored to the original location. Restore follow link option enabled: Target directories and files are restored to the original location. Restore follow link option disabled: Target directories and files are not restored. |
Alternate Location |
Junction points are restored to the location specified. Restore follow link option enabled: Target directories and files are restored to the location specified. Restore follow link option disabled: Target directories and files are not restored. |
|
Disabled | Original Location |
Junction points are restored to the original location. No data is restored to the junction point's destination. |
Alternate Location |
Junction points are restored to the location specified. No data is restored to the junction point's destination. |
System protected junction point such as the Documents and Settings on Windows 2008 server cannot be selected as backup source under the advanced backup source dialog (e.g. there is no select-able checkbox beside system protected junction point).