Skip to main content
Contact Support

Who is this article for?

Code42 for EnterpriseSee product plans and features
CrashPlan for Small Business 

CrashPlan for Small Business, yes.

Code42 for Enterprise, yes.

Link: Product plans and features.

This article applies to version 5.

Other available versions:

Version 6Link: What version am I on?

Code42 Support

Code42 CrashPlan app reference

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF

Who is this article for?

Code42 for EnterpriseSee product plans and features
CrashPlan for Small Business 

CrashPlan for Small Business, no.

Code42 for Enterprise, yes.

Link: Product plans and features.

This article applies to version 5.

Other available versions:

Version 6Link: What version am I on?

Overview

The Code42 CrashPlan app allows you to back up your device, change backup settings, and download backed up files from all the devices on your account. This guide provides a description of settings and features in the CrashPlan app.

Home

From the upper-left corner of the CrashPlan app, click Home to open default view of the app.

Home

Item Description
a Home Displays the default view of the CrashPlan app.
b Downloads Opens a queue of active, pending, and complete downloads in the CrashPlan app.
c Device status summary

Indicates a high-level status of the device's backup.

Backup in progress CrashPlan is either scanning or backing up files to at least one destination on this device.
Backing up normally CrashPlan is backing up regularly based on your backup schedule, frequency, and alert preferences.
Backup paused Indicates backup is paused to all destinations on this device.
Device requires attention Indicates at least one backup set has a destination that requires your attention. CrashPlan either cannot resolve the issue, or the issue has prevented backup for more than the number of days set in your alert preferences.
Setup is incomplete

Indicates that setup is incomplete for at least one backup set. You must select files to be backed up, a backup destination, or both to start backup.
d Device name Name of each of your devices. The device name can be modified from Device preferences > General.
e Details Opens a view that displays status information for each backup set and destination on the device with options for configuring this device's backup settings.
f Get Files Opens a view that allows you to view and download files backed up for the device.
g Other devices List of all other devices on your CrashPlan account.

Details

From Home, click Details to view additional information and options for the current device.

Details

Item Description
a Device name Name of your current device. Device name can be changed from Device preferences > General.
b Device details menu Contains options for this device.
c Get Files Opens file browser for viewing and downloading files backed up for this device. This button is hidden if you do not have permission to access your backed up files.
d Backup set name

Name of the backup set. By default, backup set name is based on your device name.

  • Backup sets must have a name.
  • Backup sets for a particular device must have unique names. CrashPlan updates the name of a backup set if the name entered is already in use.
  • Backup sets for the device display in the order defined by backup set priority. Priority can be configured from Backup Set Settings.
e Backup set size

Size of the backup file selection for the backup set.

  • The size shown can fluctuate if the file verification scan is running.
  • The size shown may not equal the size of the backup set's archive as a result of compression, de-duplication, and version retention.
f Manage Files Opens file browser for viewing and updating the files and folders on this device included in a particular backup set.
g Backup set settings button Opens a view that allows you to view and manage settings for the backup set.
h Backup destination status icon

Indicates status of backup to this destination:

Backing up - percent complete unknown

 CrashPlan is backing up but the percent complete cannot be estimated.

Backing up - percent complete known

 Files are backing up and a percent complete can be estimated.

Backing up normally

Backup is occurring according to your backup schedule and frequency settings. There may or may not be files in CrashPlan's list of files to be backed up.

Setup incomplete

 Backup has not started because the backup set is missing files or folders in your backup file selection, missing a destination, or both. Backup will not start without completing setup.

Backup not running

 Backup is not running. The CrashPlan app may be scanning the file selection, connecting to the destination, or preparing backup.

Unable to back up

 CrashPlan app is paused or unable to back up. If CrashPlan is unable to back up, the time since CrashPlan's last backup is greater than than the setting for backup frequency, but less than your alert setting. Backup may resume without intervention.

Backup requires your attention

 CrashPlan app is unable to back up and requires intervention to resume backing up.
i Backup destination name The name of backup destinations in use for the backup set.
j Backup destination status message Describes detailed status information about the backup destination.
k Run backup now Starts backup on a destination that is waiting for its next scheduled backup. Once initiated, backup will continue until it's complete, even if it extends beyond the scheduled end time. This option is unavailable outside of your backup schedule.
l Pause

Pauses backup to the destination for 24 hours.

Device details menu

From Details, click the arrow next to your device name to open the device details menu.

Command Description
Device preferences Opens device preferences.
Add backup set... Opens a view for creating a new backup set for the current device.
Deactivate device... Removes this device from your account completely. Backup data is deleted from the device's destinations.

Get files

From Home or Details, click Get Files to browse, search, and download files backed up for a device.

Get Files

Item Description
a Device name Name of the device where the files shown originated, sometimes referred to as the source device.
b Destination Displays the destination where the files shown were backed up.
c Destination menu Lists available destinations for this device. Offline destinations are dimmed and unavailable.
d Search

Opens a search view for locating files and folders by keyword or phrase.

  • Clicking a folder within your search toggles between viewing search results and browsing within folders. Files selected for download remain selected when toggling between search and browse.

  • CrashPlan searches your backup using current selections for Destination, As of Date, Include deleted files, and Show hidden files. You can refine search results using the options for As of Date, Include Deleted Files, and Show Hidden Files.

  • Your search term is retained until you clear the term, close the search bar, or exit the Get Files view. Click the search icon to return to your search results for that term.

  • Results are limited to 10,000 files or folders.
e As of Date

Opens a calendar for filtering files and versions by a particular date.

  • By default, the calendar is set to the current date and time.
  • Click Most Current to automatically set data and time to the current date and time.
f Options menu Opens the options menu for including deleted files and showing hidden files in the file browser.
g Breadcrumb overflow menu Opens a menu listing folders in your backup that precede the folders currently displayed in the breadcrumb. Click a folder name to navigate to that folder.
h Breadcrumb Displays the current folder or file and up to two folders leading to it. Click a folder name in the breadcrumb to navigate to that folder. The breadcrumb tracks the folder hierarchy within your backup.
i Name File or folder name of a backed up file. Click to sort by name.
j Size Size, in bytes, of backed files.
k Date Modified Date that the file or folder was last modified on the file system.
l Previous version selected Indicates that a previous version of the file is currently selected for download.
m Download

Displays when you mouse over a file. On click, immediately downloads:

  • From the currently-selected destination
  • The most recent version of the file, even if an earlier version was previously selected
  • With the default Get Files options for download location, existing files, and permissions
n Versions Displays when you mouse over a file. On click, opens a view including all backed up versions of the file.
o Selected file or folder

Indicates that a file or folder is selected for download:

A file, or a folder and all of its subfolders, is currently selected.

One or more subfolders within the folder is currently selected.
p Deleted file Indicates a file deleted from the file system. From the Get Files Options menu, Include deleted files must be enabled before deleted files will display in the file browser.
q Count of files selected Displays a count and size for files currently selected for download.
r Done Exits the Get Files view, and returns you either to the Home or Details view.
s Get Files Opens download options for selected files. Get Files is dimmed until at least one file or folder is selected for download.

Get files options menu

From Get Files, click the options menu (Get Files Option menu) to display more options for viewing and downloading backed up files.

Command Description
Include deleted files

Displays or hides deleted files. When enabled, downloaded folders will include any deleted files in that folder.
Show hidden files Displays or hides hidden temporary and system files. Hidden files are always included in downloaded folders, regardless of whether the setting to view them is enabled.

File versions

From Get Files, mouse over a file and click the versions icon (Versions icon) to see all versions backed up for that file. To exit file versions, use the breadcrumb to navigate back to all files.

File versions

Item Description
a File name Name of the file for the versions shown. Click the preceding file name to exit the file versions view.
b Date Modified Date and time that a file version was modified on the device's file system.
c Size Size, in bytes, of file version backed up.
d Last Backed Up Date and time that the file version was backed up.
e Selected Version selected for download. You may only download a single version at a time.
f Current Displays the latest version of the file.
The current version may not be the same as the most recently backed up and modified version. This occurs when an earlier version is downloaded to the original location and overwrites the existing file. The restored version has an earlier Date Modified and Last Backed Up date than other versions, but it is now the most "current" version on the device's file system.
g Done Exits the Get Files view and returns you either to the Home or Details view.
h Get Files Opens download options for selected files. Get Files is dimmed until at least one file or folder is selected for download.

Get files options

From Get Files for a device, click the Get Files button to open options for downloading selected files.

Get Files Options

Item Description
a Save selected files to

Sets the download location for the selected files.

  • By default, set to your device's Downloads folder.
  • Includes options for the following locations: Downloads folder, Desktop, Original Location, Other (for selecting a custom location).
b If file already exists

Specifies whether you want existing files (files that are on your device right now) renamed or overwritten when a file matching the file name downloads to the same location.

  • By default, set to rename existing files.
  • If set to rename existing files, CrashPlan will prefix the existing file will "original1".
c Permissions

Specifies whether downloaded files should inherit their original file permissions or inherit permissions belonging to the current user/device. By default, set to current permissions.
d Cancel Exits the Get Files Options view and returns to the Get Files browser.
e Go Adds selected files to Downloads using the selected settings. If settings were modified, your changes are maintained until you exit the Get Files view or you close the CrashPlan app.

Downloads

From the upper-right corner of the CrashPlan app, click Downloads to open Download Activity.

Downloads

Item Description
a Clear all Removes completed downloads from the list of Download Activity.
b Queued Files queued for download display. Files are downloaded in the order that they are added to the queue.
c Download status Total bytes completed and remaining for an active download.
d Pause/resume download Pauses or resumes an active download.
e Show folder

On mouse over, displays the option to open the location where files were or will be downloaded.

  • If files are downloaded to original location, and the original location includes multiple folders, then this option is not available.
  • If the location is no longer on your file system, then your file browser will not open.
f Clear On mouse over, displays the option to remove a completed, in process, or pending download from the list of Download Activity.

Manage files

From Details, click Manage Files for a backup set to view the file selection for the selected set. If your administrator prevents editing of the file selection, you can browse, but not modify, your file selection.

Manage Files

Item Description
a Backup Set Name Name of the backup set for the file selection shown.
b Options menu Opens the options menu for showing hidden files in the file browser.
c Breadcrumb overflow menu Opens a menu listing folders on your file system that precede the folders currently displayed in the breadcrumb. Click a folder name to navigate to that folder.
d Breadcrumb Displays the current folder and up to two additional folders leading to it in your backup file selection. The breadcrumb tracks the folder hierarchy within your file selection. Click a folder name in the breadcrumb to navigate to that folder.
e Name File or folder name on your device's file system. Click to sort by name.
f Size Size, in bytes, of the file on your device's file system. Click to sort by size.
g Date Modified Date that the file or folder was last modified on the file system. Click to sort by date modified.
h Selected

Indicates that a file or folder is selected for backup:

A file, or a folder and all of its subfolders, is currently selected. New folders and files added to these folders are also added to your backup file selection.

One or more subfolders within the folder is currently selected. New subfolders and files added to these folders are not added to your backup file selection.
i File icon

Indicates more information about a particular file or folder:

File is excluded from backing up to cloud destinations, but it can be backed up to local destinations.

File is excluded from backing up to cloud and local destinations.

File or folder was previously selected, but it cannot be found on the file system. Missing files are most commonly the result of disconnected external drives.
j Cancel Discards any changes to the file selection and exits the Manage Files view.
k Save

Saves changes to the file selection. Code42 prompts you to confirm changes that delete files and folders from your backup archive.

Manage files options menu

From Manage Files, click the options menu (Manage Files Option menu) to display more options for viewing files in your file selection.

Command Description
Show hidden files Displays or hides hidden temporary and system files. Hidden files are always backed up, regardless of whether or not the setting to view them is enabled.

Backup set settings

From Details, click the backup set settings button (Settings) to view and change settings for the backup set.

Backup Set Settings

Item Description
a Backup Set Settings menu Opens the Backup Set Settings menu.
b Backup set name

Name of the backup set. By default, backup set name is based on your device name.

  • Backup sets must have a name.
  • Backup sets for a particular device must have unique names. CrashPlan updates the name of a backup set if the name entered is already in use.
c Delete

Deletes the backup set and all its backup archives on all destinations.

  • Displays only when the device contains more than one backup set.
  • Default backup set cannot be deleted.
  • Administrators may disable the ability to delete backup sets.
d Backup Schedule

Sets the time period during which CrashPlan can back up files.

  • When set to run between specified times, CrashPlan uses the time provided by your device's operating system.
  • Backup schedule defines when CrashPlan can run, whereas backup frequency defines how often CrashPlan backs up new and updated files.
  • CrashPlan will run according to your schedule if the device is on and not in sleep mode (default installation type), or on and user is signed into the device (per user installation type).
  • If the To time is earlier than the From time for a particular day, then backup can run until that time on the next day, even if that day is not selected.
  • Administrators can set, and may prevent editing of, this setting.
e File Exclusions

Excludes files from backing up based on file name, extension, or regular expression.

  • Excluding files previously selected for backup marks the excluded files for deletion from the backup archive. Excluded files are purged from the backup archive during the next scheduled archive maintenance.
  • Administrators can set, and may prevent editing, of this setting.
Shared destinations
If multiple backup sets share a destination, then file exclusions specified for any backup set impact all sets backing up to that destination.
f Destinations

Sets the locations where backup data is sent and stored.

  • At least one destination is required.
  • If enabled by your administrator, allows creation of local destinations (for example, external drives).
  • Administrators can set, and may prevent editing, of this setting.
g Priority Sets the sequence in which the selected backup set will run for this device. If a set backs up to multiple destinations, then CrashPlan will prioritize completion to a single destination for each set before backing up to additional destinations.
h Done Closes Backup Set Settings and returns to the device's Details view.

Backup set settings menu

To view the Backup Set Settings menu, click the arrow icon Backup_Set_Settings_Menu_Icon-652-source.png.

Backup Set Settings Menu

Command Description
Scan for file changes Scans your device for file changes and deleted files within your backup selection.

Device preferences

Many settings in Device Preferences can be configured and locked by your administrator. If a setting is locked, then it is not displayed in the CrashPlan app. If all the settings on a tab are locked, the tab is not displayed in the CrashPlan app.

General

From the device details menu, select Device preferences. Click General to view and manage settings for your device.

Device Preferences > General

Item Description
a Device Name Name of the device you are currently using.
b Rename Renames the device you are currently using. Your device must have a name.
c Device ID Identification number assigned by CrashPlan to this device. CrashPlan uses a unique sequence of numbers to distinguish one device from another and to facilitate the backup and download processes.
d Language

Sets the language in which the CrashPlan app displays.

Automatic - CrashPlan displays the default language specified by your operating system.

CrashPlan app version 5.4 and later: When you change the language, the CrashPlan app starts logging history in the new language. Therefore, the history log might contain entries in multiple languages.

CrashPlan app version 5.3.x and earlier: Changing the language creates a new history file. Your old history file will no longer be available, even if you switch back to the original language. You must exit and restart the CrashPlan app before your new selection takes effect.
– Display Code42 CrashPlan icon in notification area on login
Windows only		 Displays the CrashPlan icon in notification area.
e Launch menu bar
OS X only		 Displays the CrashPlan icon in menu bar.
f Manage account on the web Opens your default web browser to the administration console, where you can manage your account online.

Usage

From the device details menu, select Device preferences. Click Usage to view and manage settings for your device.

Device preferences > Usage

Item Description
a Alert me if this device is not backed up for Sets the number of consecutive days of not backing up before a destination displays an alert in the CrashPlan app. Your administrator may also configure email alerts to be sent after the period specified.
b Remind me again if this device still is not backed up after Sets the number of days after the initial alert that an email may be sent to notify you that CrashPlan is not backing up. Your administrator may disable email alerts.
c User is away when not active for Sets the number of minutes of inactivity before you are considered “away” from the device.
d When user is away, use up to

Sets the percent of CPU that CrashPlan may use when you are away from the device. The CPU usage cannot be lower than 10%.

 

CrashPlan relies on mouse and keyboard activity to detect if you are using your device. It may take up to 30 seconds to detect a change in status.

 

CrashPlan app version 5.0.x on Windows only

CrashPlan relies on the notification area menu to detect if you are using your device. If you do not launch the notification area menu, CrashPlan always uses the “away” setting.
e When user is present, use up to

Sets the percent of CPU that CrashPlan may use when you are using the device. The CPU usage cannot be lower than 10%.
f Stop backup when battery reaches Sets the percent of remaining battery power at which backup automatically pauses to conserve power on laptop devices.
– Perform shallow maintenance every Indicates how often shallow maintenance runs for local archives, which checks the health of the archive, and prunes versions and deleted files. This scan completes faster than the deeper maintenance. Maintenance of cloud destinations is configured by your administrator.
– Perform deep maintenance every Indicates how often deep maintenance runs for local archives, which uses checksum of all data blocks to verify health of archive. This scan automatically occurs on each block silo that is able to reclaim space.

Destinations

From the device details menu, select Device preferences. Click Destinations to view and manage settings for your device.

Device Preferences > Destinations

Item Description
a Cloud Lists cloud destinations that backup sets on this device are able to back up to.
b Local Lists local destinations that backup sets on this device are able to back up to.
c Destination name The name of the destination shown.
d Space used Amount of space this device's archive is storing on the destination shown.
e Run maintenance Reclaims space in the backup archive by immediately applying file selection or retention policy changes (such as how many versions to keep and how long to keep deleted files).
f Quota Amount of space allocated for your backup archive on this destination. Your administrator may configure a space limit. Automatic means that there are no space restrictions.
g Add destination Opens a file browser for adding a local destination, such as an external drive or folder.
h Delete destination Stops backup to a local destination and deletes all the archives stored on it. The destination will no longer be available to backup sets. Deleting a destination cannot be undone.
i Delete Archive

Deletes the archives for this device on the destination shown.

  • The destination is still available for adding to backup sets, but backup must start over. Deleting an archive cannot be undone.
  • Option only displays when there is an archive stored on the destination.

Network

From the device details menu, select Device preferences. Click Network to view and manage settings for your device.

Device preferences > Network

Item Description
a Bandwidth WAN

Bandwidth limit to destinations external to your local network when you are using (present) and not using (away from) your device.

 

CrashPlan relies on mouse and keyboard activity to detect if you are using your device. It may take up to 30 seconds to detect a change in status.

 

CrashPlan app version 5.0.x on Windows only

CrashPlan relies on the notification area menu to detect if you are using your device. If you do not launch the notification area menu, CrashPlan always uses the “away” setting.

 
b Bandwidth LAN

Bandwidth limit to destinations on your local network when you are using (present) and not using (away from) your device.

Minimum recommended sending Limits
When setting network sending limits, do not set a rate lower than 0.10 Mbps or 100 Kbps. Rates lower than 0.10 Mbps can prevent devices from communicating with the Code42 server, which can stop backups and future configuration changes. To stop backup entirely, do not adjust sending limits. Instead, you can pause backup or only allow backups at specified times.

CrashPlan relies on mouse and keyboard activity to detect if you are using your device. It may take up to 30 seconds to detect a change in status.

 

CrashPlan app version 5.0.x on Windows only

CrashPlan relies on the notification area menu to detect if you are using your device. If you do not launch the notification area menu, CrashPlan always uses the “away” setting.
c Wireless network exclusions

Disables backup when your device is connected to an excluded wireless network SSID. Unless a network's SSID is explicitly excluded, backup is allowed over all wireless networks.
d Network interface exclusions Disables backup when your device is connected to an excluded network interface. Unless a network interface is explicitly excluded, backup is allowed over any connected network interface. A network interface must be connected before it can be disabled; however, once an interface is disabled, it remains disabled in CrashPlan unless specifically re-enabled.
– Proxy Configures proxy settings to allow CrashPlan to connect to the Internet via a proxy server.
– Server Address Primary and secondary network address for your Code42 server.

Ports

The CrashPlan app requires the following ports to communicate with your backup destinations.

Port(s) Protocol Destination Description
4242* TCP CrashPlan device (Default) Listening port between devices on the same account.
4243* TCP localhost (Default) Used by the CrashPlan app to connect to the Code42 service.
443 TCP Code42 cloud (Required) Used by the CrashPlan app to connect to the Code42 cloud.

* Depending on your configuration, alternative ports may be used. To find the ports used on your device, identify the ports used by the CrashPlan app.

Security

From the device details menu, select Device preferences. Click Security to view and manage settings for your account.

Security

Item Description
a Require account password to open the CrashPlan app Indicates whether you must sign in using your account password when launching the CrashPlan app.
b

Account Encryption Key Security
Version 5.2 and later of CrashPlan app only

Opens a prompt to upgrade or change your account encryption key security setting.
c

Account Encryption Key Security Level

Version 5.2 and later of CrashPlan app only

Indicates the level of security used to protect the encryption key for your devices. This setting applies to all of the devices on your account.

  • Account password
  • Archive key password
  • Custom key

Account encryption key security

Version 5.2 and later of CrashPlan app only

From Account Encryption Key Security, select Upgrade to see options for creating an archive key password or custom key.

Account encryption key security

Item Description
a Account Password

Selects the default encryption key security setting. You or your administrator can restore files without providing an additional password.
b Archive Key Password

Displays options for creating an archive key password:

  • Upgrade your account security setting to use an archive key password.

  • Create a recovery question and answer.

  • Change your archive key password or recovery question.

When enabled, you or your administrator can restore files only by providing the correct archive key password.

 

If you choose this option you will not be able to downgrade your security.
c Custom Key

Displays options for creating a custom key:

  • Import: Opens a file browser to import a custom key.
  • Paste from clipboard: Enters plain text from your clipboard.
  • Passphrase: Opens prompt to generate an encryption key from a passphrase.
  • Generate key: Displays options for generating a custom key.

When enabled, you or your administrator can restore files only by providing the custom key. The custom key cannot be reset if it is forgotten or lost. Without the custom key, backup data is unrecoverable.

 

If you choose this option you will not be able to downgrade your security.

Add backup set

From the device details menu, select Add Backup Set to create a new backup set for the current device.

Add Backup Set

Item Description
a Backup set name Name for the new backup set. By default, CrashPlan assigns a name using your device name.
b Rename Renames the backup set you are creating. Your backup set must have a name.
c File Selection Opens Manage Files for adding files and folders on this device to the new backup set. You must select at least one file to add a backup set.
d Destinations

Sets the locations where backup data is sent and stored for this backup set.

  • At least one destination is required to add a backup set.
  • If enabled by your administrator, allows creation of local destinations (for example, external drives).
e Cancel Discards changes and returns you to Details.
f Add Set Adds a new backup set using the settings selected. You must select a name, file selection, and destination before a backup set can be added.

History

History provides a log of your backups and shows CrashPlan's current activity. Open History from your menu bar:

  • Windows: Tools > History
  • OS X: Window > History

History

Item Description
a Date Date and time of backup activity.
b Message Description of backup activity.
c Backup set name Name of the backup set that corresponds to the activity described in the message.
  1. Back to top
  • Was this article helpful?

Recommended articles

  1. There are no recommended articles.
  1. Article type
    Reference
    Stage
    Final
  2. Tags
    1. app
    2. client
    3. Code42 app
    4. Code42 CrashPlan
    5. reference
    6. reference guide