Stray files are stored data and its revisions that have been:
deleted from the local machine
deleted from the backup set
excluded from the backup but remain in local and/or cloud storage
previously backed up, is renamed, moved to another folder
Deleting stray files from local and/or cloud storage increases storage space and reduces overall costs.
The stray file functionality only affects partners that purchase specific package plans. For specific packages, the stray files default removal is pre- set. For most packages, this default is 60 days with a maximum retention of 60 days.
The general package plan uses a 90 – day default setting for stray files. All subsequent subaccounts that are created default to a 90 – day default setting. In addition, if any existing account is assigned to a package pricing plan with stray file settings, all its subaccounts default to a 90 – day default setting.
To modify the stray file settings for multiple computers at the same time, you can create a preferences template. See Adding Stray File Preferences Templates.
Details on How the Software Track Files
The IBU software uses the file path as the identifying quality to track files.
The file path acts as the link between the version of the file which exists on the machine and any versions of the file that exist in the backup data set (in the cloud or Local Vault).
If the indicator (file path) changes or the source (the original file) disappears, the data for that file becomes orphaned or stray.
Using those criteria, an example of the indicator changing would be renaming of the file on the machine or renaming of a parent folder; in both cases the file path for the file we want to back up changes. An example of the source disappearing would be deleting the file from the machine or moving it to a different folder or drive.