CrashPlan endpoint backup requires files to reside physically on your computer's hard drive. When cloud storage apps use online-only modes, they replace local files with cloud placeholder files (stubs). The CrashPlan app will back up these stubs if selected, but it only backs up the placeholder itself, not your actual data. To ensure your files are recoverable, full copies of your data must be stored locally on your device.
Note about third-party products
CrashPlan Technical Support does not configure or troubleshoot third-party software, hardware, or services. Information is provided for reference only. For assistance, please consult the manufacturer's documentation or contact their support team.
Applies to
- Applies to: CrashPlan endpoint backup (i.e., the CrashPlan app installed on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer)
- Does not apply to: CrashPlan SaaS backup (e.g., CrashPlan for Microsoft 365)
Key backup principles
To avoid unintentional data loss when using cloud storage alongside CrashPlan endpoint backup, keep the following core concepts in mind:
Local storage required: The CrashPlan app protects data stored directly on your hard drive. It cannot back up data that exists solely in a cloud service.
Backing up stubs vs. original data: If an online-only placeholder (stub) is in your file selection, CrashPlan backs up the stub itself, not the original data the stub references. Restoring that placeholder from your backup will not recover the original document.
Changing files to online-only risks data pruning: Switching a local file to online-only replaces it with a stub. This may result in the previously backed-up data for that original file being removed according to your retention rules, leaving only the stub in your backup.
CrashPlan is a backup, not an archive: Removing a file from your computer to free up disk space can result in that file being permanently deleted from your CrashPlan backup according to your retention rules.
Cloud provider configuration best practices
To ensure full copies of your files exist on your machine, configure your cloud storage app to keep files available locally. Below are recommendations for some common cloud storage services.
Vendor documentation recommended
Vendors frequently update their software, settings, and interfaces. For the
most current and accurate information, always refer to the vendor's official
documentation.
| Cloud service | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Microsoft OneDrive | Set files and folders to Always keep on this device. |
| iCloud | Download local copies of optimized files (do not use Optimize Mac Storage). |
| Google Drive | Set Drive for Desktop to Mirror files (do not use Stream files). |
| Dropbox | Set files and folders to Make Available Offline (do not use Save hard drive space automatically). |
| Box | Set files and folders to Available Offline. |
Non-standard cloud file locations
Cloud storage apps may change default folder paths or store files in hidden system directories. Always check your CrashPlan file selection to confirm that the exact location used by your cloud storage app is selected for backup.
Finding files during restore
If a cloud storage app relocates your files to a non-standard location, then you will need to navigate to that directory inside the CrashPlan restore browser to find and download those backed-up files.
macOS: Many macOS cloud providers store local synced files inside
~/Library/CloudStorage. Because~/Libraryis often excluded by default to avoid backing up system or cache files, files in this location may not be backed up unless theCloudStoragefolder is explicitly added to your file selection.Windows: Services such as Microsoft OneDrive may redirect standard user folders (like Documents, Desktop, or Pictures) into a different location or subfolder (e.g.,
C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive\Documents). If CrashPlan is set to only back up specific user folders such asC:\Users\<username>\Documents, files saved inside the redirected cloud folder may not be included.