Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Data loss can happen to anyone — from home users to professionals. Whether it’s an accidental deletion, a corrupted drive, or a system crash, losing files can be frustrating. Thankfully, Linux provides an easy and reliable way to safeguard your data through Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup. This open-source backup tool, part of the GNOME suite, simplifies the process of protecting your important files on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to install, configure, and use Deja Dup to back up and restore your data. We’ll also demonstrate how to recover files after accidental deletion, ensuring you’re always in control of your digital content.

What Is Deja Dup?

Deja Dup is a Linux backup program designed for end users, whether at home, in small businesses, or in corporate environments. It seamlessly integrates into your Linux session, allowing you to manage backups of your personal data with just a few clicks. However, note that Deja Dup does not back up system-level files or those outside your user access.

The beauty of Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup lies in its simplicity. Built on powerful tools like duplicity and rsync, Deja Dup wraps complex backup operations into a friendly graphical interface. Duplicity handles encrypted and incremental backups, while rsync manages file transfers — efficiently copying only what’s changed since the last backup.

Being part of the GNOME ecosystem means Deja Dup is open source, reliable, and widely available across popular Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint. The GNOME community’s mission behind Deja Dup is to encourage even non-technical users to regularly back up their files.

Features of Deja Dup

While Deja Dup isn’t an enterprise-grade backup system, it’s feature-rich enough for personal and professional use. Some of its key features include:

• Full and Incremental Backups: After the first full backup, Deja Dup only saves changes, saving time and space.
• Automatic Deletion of Old Backups: You can configure retention settings to delete outdated backups automatically.
• Encryption via GNU Privacy Guard: Keeps your backups safe from unauthorized access.
• Multiple Storage Destinations: Supports local folders, network servers, and cloud services like Google Drive.
• Permission Retention: Maintains file ownership and permissions.
• Built-in Scheduler: Automates backup frequency to fit your needs.

These features make Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup one of the most practical tools available in any Linux Ubuntu download.

Step 1: Install and Launch Deja Dup

Start by checking whether Deja Dup is installed on your system. On many Ubuntu versions, it comes preinstalled. To confirm, open your system’s search bar and type Backups. If you see the Deja Dup icon, you’re ready to go.

If not installed, open a terminal and use the following Linux operating system commands depending on your distribution:

For Ubuntu or Debian-based systems:

sudo apt install deja-dup

For Fedora or Red Hat-based systems:

sudo dnf install deja-dup

Once installed, launch it by searching for Backups in the application menu. This opens the Deja Dup Overview console, which displays your current settings, backup locations, and scheduling preferences.

Step 2: Create Files to Back Up

To demonstrate Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup, let’s create a few test files.

1. Open your Home directory.
2. Create a new folder called projects.
3. Inside it, create three text files: file1.txt, file2.txt, and file3.txt.
4. Open file1.txt and add the text: “File 1 Contents.”

Alternatively, use these Linux operating system commands:

cd ~
mkdir projects
cd projects/
touch file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
echo "File 1 Contents" > file1.txt

These files will represent user data you’ll back up and later restore.

Step 3: Explore Deja Dup Options

Deja Dup straddles the line between simplicity and functionality. When you first launch the program, it opens an overview window that summarizes current settings and provides a menu with options for additional configuration. Each pane is simple and does what it implies it will.

Enter “backups” in the Search function to find Deja Dup. Select the icon to open the program.

The user interface varies a bit between versions, but it contains the same general categories.

The Overview pane displays the current configuration and offers a few settings:

• Turn automatic backup on or off.
• Get a summary of the backup storage location, included and excluded folders, and information on scheduled backups.
• Restore button to initiate a restore process.
• Back Up Now button to start a backup process manually.

The Folders to save pane enables users to select one or more directories to back up.

For this tutorial, select only the /projects folder. Otherwise, the backup exercise will consume a lot of time.

The Folders to ignore pane enables users to select one or more folders the backup job should skip.

The Storage location pane provides a pull-down menu to select the backup’s destination. Choices include your organization’s cloud, Network Server and Local Folder. For the tutorial, choose Local Folder and create a folder to store your backups. Actual backups should be stored on a different drive or system from the original data.

The Scheduling pane contains two pull-down menus to manage how frequently backups are run and deleted. Under How often to back up, choose if you want to back up every day or every week. The Keep pull-down offers various data retention choices, including six months, a year and forever.

Deja Dup automatically deletes older backups if drive space becomes scarce.

Step 4: Run a Manual Backup

After configuring folders and destinations, you’re ready to perform Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup manually.

1. Go to the Overview pane.
2. Click Back Up Now.
3. Deja Dup will start creating your backup.

You’ll see a progress bar showing the backup status. The first backup will be full, while future ones will be incremental, only saving changes since the last backup.

If you’re backing up sensitive files, enable encryption when prompted. Enter a strong password — this protects your backup, especially if stored on cloud services. Don’t forget the password, as you’ll need it for restoration.

Step 5: Simulate Data Loss

Now, to test restoration, let’s simulate a data loss scenario. Delete the three text files in your /projects folder manually or via terminal:

cd ~/projects
rm -f *.txt

Your /projects folder should now be empty — a realistic example of accidental file deletion. But since you’ve already completed Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup, recovery will be easy.

Step 6: Restore Files

To restore, reopen Deja Dup and click Restore on the Overview pane. You’ll be guided through several steps:

1. Select Backup Location: Choose the location where your backup is stored (local folder, cloud, or network drive).
2. Select Backup Date: Choose the backup point to restore from.
3. Select Restore Destination: Restore files to their original location or a new one.
4. Enter Password (if encrypted): If you enabled encryption, you’ll need to unlock the backup.

Deja Dup will then restore your files. Depending on the amount of data and storage speed, it might take a few minutes. When finished, your deleted files will reappear in their original location.

Step 7: Tips for Effective Backup Management

To make Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup more effective, follow these best practices:

• Always store backups on a separate drive or cloud service.
• Test restores periodically to ensure your backups are working.
• Use encryption for sensitive or personal data.
• Automate backups so you never forget to protect your files.
• Monitor storage space on your backup location regularly.

These tips apply whether you’re using Ubuntu, Fedora, or any distribution from a Linux Ubuntu download.

Conclusion

In summary, Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup is a simple yet powerful method for securing your data on Linux systems. With its user-friendly interface, encryption support, and automation features, it eliminates the complexity of command-line backup tools while maintaining efficiency.

Whether you’re using Ubuntu at home or managing multiple devices in a workplace, Deja Dup ensures your data remains safe and recoverable. It bridges the gap between casual users and professionals by combining the robustness of duplicity and rsync with the elegance of a GUI-based backup solution.

By understanding and practicing Backing Up Linux Files Using Deja Dup, you take a vital step toward digital resilience — ensuring your files, projects, and memories are always protected, no matter what happens.