How to create a metadata snapshot schedule?

Prerequisites

• Administrative access to the Windows system.

• PowerShell installed 

• Access to the source folder you want to snapshot.

•  Access to the CAEVES Instance QuickStart, if using the QuickStart 

Method 1: Configure a Metadata Snapshot Using the CAEVES Instance QuickStart 

Use this method to configure the metadata snapshot schedule through the QuickStart.

Step 1: Open CAEVES Instance QuickStart template

Open CAEVES Instance Quick Start and complete the basic configuration steps. For detailed instructions, refer to CAEVES Quick Start Configuration Guide 

Step 2: Configure the Snapshot Schedule

In the Snapshot Configuration section, configure the available settings and select the required scheduling frequency: 

• Daily: Run the metadata snapshot every day.
• Weekly: Run the metadata snapshot on selected days of the week.
• Monthly: Run the metadata snapshot according to the selected monthly schedule.

 Force Snapshot: By default, CAEVES uses the Update Sequence Number (USN) Journal to detect volume changes and determine whether a snapshot is needed. Enable Force Snapshot to capture a snapshot at each scheduled interval, regardless of whether volume changes have occurred. 

Method 2: Create a Metadata Snapshot Using PowerShell and Windows Task Scheduler 

Use this method to create a PowerShell script that copies the source folder, generates a metadata file, and runs automatically according to a schedule configured in Windows Task Scheduler. 

Step 1: Create the PowerShell Script

1. Open Notepad and paste the following script:

# -----------------------------
# File: CreateMetadataSnapshot.ps1
# -----------------------------

# Source folder
$sourcePath = "G:\FCGContainer\testalias" # Update the sourcePath as needed

# Destination parent folder
$destinationRoot = "C:\MetadataSnapshots"
if (-not (Test-Path -Path $destinationRoot)) {
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $destinationRoot | Out-Null
}

# Create timestamped snapshot folder
$timestamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd_HH-mm-ss"
$snapshotFolder = "$destinationRoot\testalias_snapshot_$timestamp"
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $snapshotFolder | Out-Null

# Copy all data (files + subfolders)
Write-Host "Copying full data from: $sourcePath"
Write-Host "Destination: $snapshotFolder"

# Use robocopy for reliable copy
# Log file will be stored in the parent MetadataSnapshots folder
$logFile = "$destinationRoot\copy_log_$timestamp.txt"
Start-Process robocopy -ArgumentList "`"$sourcePath`" `"$snapshotFolder`" /E /COPYALL /R:1 /W:1 /LOG:`"$logFile`"" -Wait

# Create metadata text file in the parent MetadataSnapshots folder
$metadataFile = "$destinationRoot\metadata_$timestamp.txt"
$files = Get-ChildItem -Path $snapshotFolder -Recurse -File

# Write metadata to text file
$header = "FullName`tSize(Bytes)`tCreationTime`tLastWriteTime"
$header | Out-File -FilePath $metadataFile -Encoding UTF8
foreach ($file in $files) {
    "$($file.FullName)`t$($file.Length)`t$($file.CreationTime)`t$($file.LastWriteTime)" | Out-File -FilePath $metadataFile -Append -Encoding UTF8
}

Write-Host "Full snapshot (data + metadata) completed!"
Write-Host "Snapshot folder: $snapshotFolder"
Write-Host "Log file: $logFile"
Write-Host "Metadata text file: $metadataFile"

2. Save the file as CreateMetadataSnapshot.ps1 in a folder, e.g., C:\Scripts\. 

Step 2: Open Windows Task Scheduler

1. Press Windows + S, type Task Scheduler, and open it.

2. In the Actions pane on the right, click Create Task.

Step 3: Configure General Settings

1. Under the General tab:

   • Enter a name, e.g., Metadata Snapshot Schedule.

   • Optionally, add a description such as “Creates daily metadata snapshots at midnight.”

   • Choose Run whether user is logged on or not.

   • Check Run with highest privileges.

Step 4: Set the Trigger

1. Go to the Triggers tab and click New.

2. Select how often you want to run the snapshot:

   • Daily – runs every day at a set time.

   • Weekly – runs on selected days.

3. Set the Start time (for example, 12:00:00 AM).

4. Click OK to save the trigger.

Step 5: Define the Action

1. Go to the Actions tab and click New.

2. In the Action dropdown, select Start a program.

3. In the Program/script field, enter:

   powershell.exe


4. In the Add arguments field, type:

   -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\CreateMetadataSnapshot.ps1"


5. Click OK.

   

Step 6: Save and Test the Task

1. Click OK to save the task.

2. Enter your admin credentials if prompted.

   

3. To test it immediately:

   • Right-click the task in Task Scheduler.

   • Select Run.

     

4. Verify that a new metadata snapshot file appears in your destination folder.

   
   

   Snapshot folder: testalias_snapshot_2025-11-11_10-34-44 

   
   

   Copy log: copy_log_2025-11-11_10-34-44.txt

   
   

   Metadata file: metadata_2025-11-11_10-34-44.txt

   
    The Task Scheduler has been set to run at 12:00 AM daily, so the snapshot will automatically execute at that time without manual intervention.

Step 7: Monitor and Maintain

• Check the History tab in Task Scheduler for execution logs. 

Notes

• Ensure the source folder path in the script is correct.

• Robocopy ensures reliable copying, including subfolders and file metadata.

• Metadata files include: Full path, size in bytes, creation time, and last modified time.