I'm a relatively new "home" edition user, so please excuse me if this feature is present, and I just haven't uncovered it yet...

I keep my backup disks off-line except for when I've scheduled backups. Seems safer to protect against malware which might sneak onto your backup files, especially ransomware.

The feature request is a Windows reminder of upcoming scheduled backups where you can set the advance notice time. Sometimes I forget the backup is coming until it's underway and Reflect is already creating a error because the disk volume isn't mounted. Not a huge issue as I just run it manually, but a reminder would help streamline the process.

If you don't mind doing your backup scheduling using a script or batch file, a popup reminder in advance telling you to connect the destination drive (if not already present) would be a fairly straightforward inclusion.  You can create a script or batch file for running any backup task definition within the Reflect user interface.  Just say if you need some additional details if that seems to be an acceptable solution.


Regards, Richard V. ("Arvy")

LNH, there is a feature in REFLECT that pops up a pre-operation window prior to REFLECT starting its scheduled task.  It can be set from 0-60-sec. in time.  In that pre-operational WARNING window, a DropDown is offered to allow you to delay that operation up to a certain amount of time (many options up to 4-hrs).  If you're going to be at the machine within that last minute, you can use the DropDown to delay the task while you connect your EXT storage device.

The feature may be found at...
    Other tasks/Edit defaults/Advanced/Advanced backup options/Display backup notification delay (a CheckBox with a time set DATA field)

...or yo can use one of about a million FREE desktop REMINDER programs to "get in your face" prior to Reflect doing its thing.

Only problem with that one for a slow old geezer like me is getting out of the shower, dried off and fumbling one's way to the blankety-blank keyboard within those 0-60 seconds, especially when the phone rings at the same time ... as it always does. 


Regards, Richard V. ("Arvy")

Well... then you need one of those new super WATERPROOF (good to 30-meters) Desktops or Laptops that hang from the shower nozzle pipe with full gesture support so you can make the appropriate movements (I can just see it now ) required to respond to that l'il window and make the proper DropDown gesture motion.

I know it'll all require a bit of practice but you'll surely be able to ignore that ol' phone in the process.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to have to think this through a bit more.

Although there is an appeal to the script/batch file approach for a multi-hour advance warning as it's intrinsically  linked to the job vs an independent scheduled notification via some other program, I may rethink this priority. Having a notification pop-up on my mobile phone may make more sense from a practical standpoint. Easy to do if my backup schedule remains fairly static just via calendar. Might have to play around with some kind of scripting/automation which might be possible to invoke from a Reflect script/batch file so I can have the best of both worlds. I'm uncertain of what might be out there for scripting Windows 10 to Android, and I'm trying to keep Microsoft's deeper reach (e.g. Cortana, etc) in an off state. IFTTT seems to have a lot of capability, but not sure how well (or if at all) it hooks into desktops.

 I saw the settable delay once the job "pre" initiates, but in the evening I might not be near my PC when the jobs starts or for that matter even a couple hours before.

Also want to say I'm growing to appreciate Reflect even as a home user. I used that other very popular backup program for many years, but grew dissatisfied in it's last couple of releases. I like the straightforward approach of Reflect which is easy enough to setup without a UI making it seem dumbed down and somewhat obtuse like my previous backup program.