Can't change backup path under Settings->Preferences->Backup->Session snapshot and periodic backup

Timo P

Seems that this is still hardcoded into program

That’s bad, since this backup-system fills up users roaming profile really fast if (s)he uses npp for more than just a few files. I had to turn that off for my copy for just that reason.

That is if the “user directory” is under the profile.

If it is in %programfiles%\npp etc. subdirectory and user doesn’t have write permission there then that’s again a problem. This makes this backup-feature useless for any large organization where users are not admins to their workstations.

Henk Bakker

I just made a softlink from the backup dir to another drive in my computer. Since i’m working with confidential information I needed to get the temporary backup to an encrypted drive.

The method I used was based on this website: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/

in short: make a directory called backup where you want your backups of notepad to be stored. Than copy the files that are in there over to this directory. Delete the original backup directory from the path in notepad++. Then use the Link Shell Extension to make a softlink from the new location to the old location (which is in the settings of notepad++)

Diego Sayron

Hi all!

To manage this question, just go to settings - preferences - CLOUD
Then, paste/type the desired path on: “Set your cloud location path here” textbox.

It will miraculously and automatically fill out “backup location” disabled box from Session snapshot and periodic backup frame.

Paul Dean

Thank you! That fixed my issue. NPP backups from different computers are now saved to my encrypted cloud storage.

David Zacharczyk

@Henk-Bakker Thank you!
I was able to work around the application limitation by using your suggestion. I used a symlink to re-direct backup notes to a dropbox folder. Now I can view notes on my laptop that I took on my desktop and didn’t get a chance to save.

Randy Spies

@diego-sayron
Perfect, if non-intuitive solution. You may want to copy your existing backup files from ‘%userprofile%\Appdata\Roaming\Notepad++\backup’ to the new location.

kitchin15

The CLOUD solution is great!

Important note, when the specified cloud location is unavailable, this happens:

Settings for Cloud and Backup revert to default.

Then when the location is available again:

Settings for Cloud and Backup return to the custom values.

So a full solution may involve a cleanup routine or script.

kitchin15

@kitchin15
These changes are only take place after restarting NPP. In other words, if NPP is open when the location becomes unavailable, NPP silently fails to make the periodic backups. Other scenarios are similar, unless NPP is restarted.

Andrey Denisenko

Hi There!
I’m from the year 2025.
And this insanely annoying issue is still here!

Good job team!

carl87gt

Yes, this is annoying but you can put your backup anywhere you want and then create a symbolic link in the hardcoded location that points to your real backup. That is what I did and it works seamlessly. Should be able to update the path but this is a pretty clean workaround.