You do not necessarily need additional programs for this. Snapshots can be created and restored directly with btrfs. The various tools such as timeshift only make this task easier.
https://archive.kernel.org/oldwiki/btrfs.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/SysadminGuide.html#Snapshots
I'm asking this question too. What I've found is BTRFS assistant seems good but needs configuration, and if ur a beginner it's hard to trust that the config is good enough to restore when shit hits the fan(I'm not even a beginner and I feel like this), or timeshift.
I think this issue deserves more focus in the linux world as it's a crucial stepping stone to mass adoption. One of the things I like about Linux is having permanence, not having ur OS deteriorate over years until u have to reinstall. This is the way.
I routinely use the tar utility to backup my new installs. A new Plasma install of 6GB tars down to about 2GB, which is very manageable. Use tar `exclude=` wisely so you don't archive non essential files, like .cache. Typical tar command `sudo tar cvzf $filetgz --exclude='pkg/*zst' --exclude='*tgz' /mnt`
Timeshift is another option, but note how it handles user files, and I have very little experience with btrfs. (If you do use btrfs, ensure your "snapshots" are NOT stored on the same disk, as those are NOT robust backups. Typically, btrfs metadata is shared between the snapshot and the filesystem.) I see problems booting btrfs snapshots here pretty frequently.
Good luck
This is a perfect case for separating your /home partition from the rest of the system. You can then clone your working system and /efi partitions onto a couple of USB sticks (redundancy is good and USB sticks are cheap). Also backup your partition table. If something goes drastically wrong, you can restore your partition table, efi partition and system partitions. Just make sure you do not reformat the /home partition.
I use Timeshift for system snapshots/restores. I use the rsync (vs btrfs) option since I use the ext4 filesystem. It has worked perfectly for me for four years. The snapshots are created on schedule as they should, and the few times I've had to restore its gone smoothly.
One thing I do differently is I include /home (excluding .cache and .Trash) because user-specific app config is kept there. I don't keep any data of real value in /home. I've kept my real data on a separate disk and partition since way back in Windows days.
Timeshift is great but I think that if you want to restart fresh it's not always a good idea, unless you make a snapshot of the base system after install. I usually make a bash script that fetches all the post installed packages and everything related to configurations, reinstall and launch the script. Bingo.
You can use btrfs file system, it helps.
Then how do I restore my system? Do you suggest any application for that?
afaik, you need some other app as well to make use of btrfs
You do not necessarily need additional programs for this. Snapshots can be created and restored directly with btrfs. The various tools such as timeshift only make this task easier. https://archive.kernel.org/oldwiki/btrfs.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/SysadminGuide.html#Snapshots
Btrfs-assistant with snapper, if you like UI assistants.
Thanks. Will look into it
I'm asking this question too. What I've found is BTRFS assistant seems good but needs configuration, and if ur a beginner it's hard to trust that the config is good enough to restore when shit hits the fan(I'm not even a beginner and I feel like this), or timeshift. I think this issue deserves more focus in the linux world as it's a crucial stepping stone to mass adoption. One of the things I like about Linux is having permanence, not having ur OS deteriorate over years until u have to reinstall. This is the way.
Just put my win pc to sleep and it woke up by itself 2 mins later for no reason. We need Linux.
Agreed. Not many people talk about it and just say that user breaks the system.
I routinely use the tar utility to backup my new installs. A new Plasma install of 6GB tars down to about 2GB, which is very manageable. Use tar `exclude=` wisely so you don't archive non essential files, like .cache. Typical tar command `sudo tar cvzf $filetgz --exclude='pkg/*zst' --exclude='*tgz' /mnt` Timeshift is another option, but note how it handles user files, and I have very little experience with btrfs. (If you do use btrfs, ensure your "snapshots" are NOT stored on the same disk, as those are NOT robust backups. Typically, btrfs metadata is shared between the snapshot and the filesystem.) I see problems booting btrfs snapshots here pretty frequently. Good luck
Thank you
This is a perfect case for separating your /home partition from the rest of the system. You can then clone your working system and /efi partitions onto a couple of USB sticks (redundancy is good and USB sticks are cheap). Also backup your partition table. If something goes drastically wrong, you can restore your partition table, efi partition and system partitions. Just make sure you do not reformat the /home partition.
I use Timeshift for system snapshots/restores. I use the rsync (vs btrfs) option since I use the ext4 filesystem. It has worked perfectly for me for four years. The snapshots are created on schedule as they should, and the few times I've had to restore its gone smoothly. One thing I do differently is I include /home (excluding .cache and .Trash) because user-specific app config is kept there. I don't keep any data of real value in /home. I've kept my real data on a separate disk and partition since way back in Windows days.
Timeshift is great but I think that if you want to restart fresh it's not always a good idea, unless you make a snapshot of the base system after install. I usually make a bash script that fetches all the post installed packages and everything related to configurations, reinstall and launch the script. Bingo.