Folder Snapshot Utility

Folder Snapshot Utility is a handy tool you should consider if you're looking to keep your files safe. It’s like having a backup buddy that makes sure you never lose your important stuff!

What Is Folder Snapshot Utility?

This software works as an alternative to macOS's Time Machine. While Time Machine is built into macOS and works well with Time Capsule or external drives, Folder Snapshot Utility takes a different approach. It acts like a version control solution, letting you save multiple versions of the same folder whenever you want.

Easy Snapshots

You can create new folder snapshots super easily! Just drag and drop the folder onto the app's dock icon, use the "Take Snapshot" option from the menu, or even use the status bar for quick access.

Fast Backups

One cool thing about Folder Snapshot Utility is how quickly it generates snapshots, even for larger folders. Thanks to its use of rsync’s incremental backup feature, any subsequent backups happen almost instantly!

Some Drawbacks

Even though it's a solid tool, there are a few bumps in the road. First off, when using this app on your Mac, you can't use macOS' Exposé feature. This could be annoying if you're someone who relies heavily on it while working.

Secondly, when you create a shortcut to restore an item’s original location, it points one level below in the folder structure. For instance, if you've made a snapshot of your "Photos" folder on your desktop, the shortcut will lead you inside that folder instead of directly restoring it.

Your Backup Location Matters

Another thing to note is that Folder Snapshot Utility saves backups in Library > Application Support by default. Unfortunately, it doesn't let you choose where to save these backups. So if your main drive fails? Yikes! You could lose everything!

The Bottom Line

All in all, Folder Snapshot Utility is easy to use and helps create snapshots at lightning-fast speeds. Still, it could really benefit from features like allowing custom backup locations and enhancing the restoration process.