How do I control how Emacs makes backup files?

jfm3_11138 0
Viewed 126969

Emacs puts backup files named foo~ everywhere and I don't like having to remember to delete them. Also, if I edit a file that has a hard link somewhere else in the file system, the hard link points to the backup when I'm done editing, and that's confusing and awful. How can I either eliminate these backup files, or have them go somewhere other than the same directory?

emacs
6 Answers

If you've ever been saved by an Emacs backup file, you probably want more of them, not less of them. It is annoying that they go in the same directory as the file you're editing, but that is easy to change. You can make all backup files go into a directory by putting something like the following in your .emacs.

(setq backup-directory-alist `(("." . "~/.saves")))

There are a number of arcane details associated with how Emacs might create your backup files. Should it rename the original and write out the edited buffer? What if the original is linked? In general, the safest but slowest bet is to always make backups by copying.

(setq backup-by-copying t)

If that's too slow for some reason you might also have a look at backup-by-copying-when-linked.

Since your backups are all in their own place now, you might want more of them, rather than less of them. Have a look at the Emacs documentation for these variables (with C-h v).

(setq delete-old-versions t
  kept-new-versions 6
  kept-old-versions 2
  version-control t)

Finally, if you absolutely must have no backup files:

(setq make-backup-files nil)

It makes me sick to think of it though.

jfm3_111380

Another way of configuring backup options is via the Customize interface. Enter:

M-x customize-group

And then at the Customize group: prompt enter backup.

If you scroll to the bottom of the buffer you'll see Backup Directory Alist. Click Show Value and set the first entry of the list as follows:

Regexp matching filename: .*
Backup directory name: /path/to/your/backup/dir

Alternatively, you can turn backups off my setting Make Backup Files to off.

If you don't want Emacs to automatically edit your .emacs file you'll want to set up a customisations file.

Dave_Webb_31710

You can disable them altogether by

(setq make-backup-files nil)
user_94030

(setq delete-auto-save-files t)

deletes buffer's auto save file when it is saved or when killed with no changes in it. thus you still get some of the safety of auto save files, since they are only left around when a buffer is killed with unsaved changes or if emacs exits unexpectedly. if you want to do this, but really need history on some of your files, consider putting them under source control.

user_33421220
Related