Protect Ubuntu System Files With Timeshift Snapshots

Description from Ubuntu Software

Timeshift protects your system by taking incremental snapshots of the file system at regular intervals. These snapshots can be restored at a later date to undo all changes to the system.

Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings. It is not meant to protect user data. Entire contents of users' home directories are excluded by default.

DOES NOT NECESSARILY WORK ON UBUNTU 22.04+

Install Timeshift

Timeshift can be installed from the Ubuntu Software application or from the Terminal.

• Install Timeshift using Ubuntu Software. Launch Ubuntu Software from the dock.

• Search for Timeshift and install.

• Or install Timeshift using the Terminal application (ctl+alt+t)

 sudo apt install timeshift 

Setup Timeshift

The first time Timeshift launches it will present the Setup wizard.

• Select RSYNC and then the Next button.

• Select Snapshot Location. In the image below I selected a USB drive for the location of my snapshots. If you have only one drive it will default to your Ubuntu partition. Click on the location for your snapshots and then select the Next button.

• Select Snapshot Levels. On the next screen select how many snapshots you want to keep. My advice is not to go overboard with the snapshots because they use disk space. In the image below I selected to keep 7 days snapshots, 4 weekly snapshots, and 1 monthly. Click next when you are done.

• User Home Directories. My advice is to exclude all user home directories. The reason for this is if you have to roll back a system snapshot then you won’t lose your data in your home directory. Timeshift is designed to protect system files. Click the next button.

• Finally the setup is complete. Read the information on this screen and then select the Finish button.

Using Timeshift

• After a few days, you will see your snapshots in Timeshift. If for some reason your system is having issues you can restore it from a past snapshots.