Hasleo Backup Suite V5.9.2.1 Released!

[ram1220]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I am new to Hasleo. I just updated the software to the newest version. Do I need to create a new rescue disk or will the old one I created still work? Thanks.

[garioch7]

@ram1220,

Welcome to the Hasleo Forums!

It is always advisable to create a new Hasleo Emergency Disk to take advantage of the frequent and numerous enhancements to the Hasleo Backup Suite.  Some new versions will tell you when it SHOULD be done, but it is always best to keep up to date.

Have a great day, and once again, welcome aboard.

Regards,
Phil

[starchase]

As Garioch7 states it is advisable to recreate the ED with a new version, but to answer your question, the previous ED you have should work. Of course, if it doesn't just make a new one. It doesn't usually take long.

[Bespoken]

The best practice is to create a new one on a separate USB, and test it after creation. You will then have two at all times, an old version and a new version. If one fails, get lost, etc., you will have a backup.

With the recent Windows issues it would be best to save one of the ED's that was created prior to a Windows Security Update.

The worst case scenario is your hard drive crashes, and the only you have USB does not work. This combination would make the recovery more difficult.

[ram1220]

Thanks all! I have created another ED just in case.

[Zombo]

What is the .exc file that Hasleo creates in the EFI partition for?

   

[garioch7]

@Zombo,

That is an excellent question.  I just fired up my Partition Master Pro software, and I have one of those .exc files as well.  The date corresponds to when I first installed the Hasleo Backup Suite.

I fired up Google in AI mode, and asked the question: "Why does the Hasleo Backup Suite create an "exc" file in the EFI partition?"

This was the answer I got:

The Hasleo Backup Suite creates a temporary placeholder or tracking file (often ending in a variation like .exc) in the EFI System Partition (ESP) to manage the Preboot Execution Environment (WinPE) and safely track Sector-Level changes during an active backup/cloning session.

Because the EFI partition contains critical boot files, Hasleo utilizes this space for specific operational tasks:

1. Exclusion Tracking and VSS Coordination

When performing a live backup or system clone, Hasleo interfaces with Windows' Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to take a snapshot of the active volume. The .exc file serves as an exclusion log or pointer metadata file. It informs the backup engine which temporary VSS system files, pagefiles, or active boot sectors are currently locked or should be excluded from being written into the backup image file.

2. Pre-OS (WinPE) Recovery & Boot Menu Integration

Hasleo offers features to add its recovery agent directly into your Windows Boot Menu or to set up a temporary reboot function for a raw partition restore. The software writes small configuration and control files directly to the EFI partition to ensure that if the computer reboots midway through a system-level process, the motherboard's UEFI firmware knows how to safely hand over control to the Hasleo recovery suite.

Is it safe to delete?

During a backup/clone: Do not touch or delete this file while the software is actively processing, as it can cause the backup image to corrupt or fail integrity checks.

After the backup finishes: Hasleo is supposed to automatically purge its temporary workspace files upon a successful operation. If the .exc file remains, it is usually safe to delete. However, because it resides in the sensitive EFI partition, it is best practice to let the software manage it naturally or use the built-in logs to verify the task is fully closed.

FORUM RULE 8 DISCLOSURE:  This post does contain an AI quote.

I hope this helps.  Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

[al3x]

As always, please take AI answers with a grain of salt. It often sounds very intelligent but it might still be full of hallucinations.

Here's what @admin said about that file in 2024:

The program creates a small 2kB file C:\D519D51B249349f38D79D76488950CB5.EXC , is this how it should be?

Yes, D519D51B249349f38D79D76488950CB5.EXC is a file created by HBS that is used to exchange information between Windows and WinPE, such as passing information about the partition(s) you want to back up to WinPE.

So it doesn't seem to be related to exclusion tracking or VSS coordination. It just holds basic information for the WinPE instance of HBS.

During restores where HBS needs to boot into WinPE to continue its restore process, there might be other temporary files that also hold important information, like 06975B7E3FCD4185A856CAF94647E435.EXC, which are also required for the HBS process in WinPE to function properly.

Please don't delete those files if you have HBS installed on your system.

[garioch7]

@Zombo,

I defer to my Moderator colleague, @al3x.  He has far more knowledge of HBS than I do.  Like you, I wanted to find out why that file was also on my system; hence, my resort to a clearly-identified AI post that I shared with you.  My conclusion was that it was legitimate file, with a legitimate purpose, and users should not delete it.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

[admin]

@Zombo, yes, the file D519D51B249349f38D79D76488950CB5.EXC in the EFI system partition is created by Hasleo Backup Suite. It is used to exchange partition information and other related data between Windows and WinPE.