Python BackUp

Python BackUp is a small backup utility with a Tkinter GUI. Run a one-off backup or schedule recurring copies of a folder to a destination. Results are logged to CSV files under logs/.

Download (Windows)

No Python required — grab the latest standalone build:

Download PythonBackUp-windows.zip (free, MIT)

Unzip and follow SETUP.txt. Prefer to support ongoing development? Buy on Gumroad — same zip, same app. Also listed on stephenv.net.

Features

• Browse folders: Pick source and destination directories.
• Backup Now: Copy immediately using only source and destination (no schedule required).
• Schedule backups: Set interval (days) and 24-hour time HH:MM (e.g. 09:00, 14:30), then Start Backup to run on that schedule.
• Stop: Cancel an in-progress copy and stop the scheduler at any time.
• Incremental copies: Files that already match the destination are skipped.
• CSV logs (appended across runs): logs/copy_success.csv and logs/copy_errors.csv. Paths are properly quoted, so commas in file paths never corrupt the columns.

Requirements (from source)

• Python 3.9+
• Tkinter (usually included with Windows/macOS Python from python.org)
• schedule

Installation (from source)

git clone https://github.com/stephenvowell/python-backup.git
cd python-backup
pip install -r requirements.txt
python backup_v2.py

In the GUI

1. Choose Source and Destination folders (Browse or type paths).
2. Optional — Backup Now to copy once right away.
3. For scheduling, fill Interval (days) and Time (24-hour HH:MM), then Start Backup. The scheduled job runs at that clock time; use Backup Now if you also need an immediate copy.
4. Press Stop to cancel a running copy or halt the scheduler.

Project layout

• backup_v2.py — the Tkinter GUI application.
• backup_core.py — GUI-free copy/validation/logging logic (imported by the GUI and covered by tests).
• version.py — release version string.
• release/ — customer-facing SETUP.txt and README.txt bundled into the Windows zip.

Build a standalone Windows executable

pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
.\build_exe.ps1

The executable is written to dist\PythonBackUp.exe.

Release zip (exe + SETUP.txt + README.txt)

.\scripts\build-release.ps1

Produces dist\PythonBackUp-windows.zip ready for GitHub Releases or Gumroad.

Running tests

pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
pytest

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. Fork the repository and open a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

© Stephen Vowell · stephenv.net