# How to reduce backup size?

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Created:** [January 18, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966 "2019-01-18T10:28:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![michael.mccabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@michael.mccabe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/michael.mccabe)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/1 "2019-01-18T10:28:37Z")

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Morning folks,  
Was wondering whats is the best way to reduce a project size.  
I have a project at approx 60mb.  
I deleted unwanted windows and templates, thinking this would reduce Backup size but made no difference.  
Any suggestion what I am doing wrong.  
Is this for rollback feature?

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**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/2 "2019-01-18T14:12:59Z")

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What version of Ignition? There are known problems with older versions that cause backups to continually grow. If you cannot upgrade, consider contacting support for assistance.

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**Author:** ![michael.mccabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@michael.mccabe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/michael.mccabe)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/3 "2019-01-18T14:27:01Z")

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Currently using 7.9.9.

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**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/4 "2019-01-18T14:53:02Z")

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Shouldn’t have that problem. One possibility is an accumulation of large datasets in component properties. You should always set your large queries to not retain the data. Datasets created otherwise should be cleared before saving. Or use the [TransientDataset class](https://www.automation-pros.com/simaids/doc/index.html) from the [Simulation Aids](https://inductiveautomation.com/moduleshowcase/module/automation-professionals-llc-simulation-aids) module to make your scripted datasets behave that way.

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**Author:** ![mazeyrat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/mazeyrat/32/10955_2.png) [@mazeyrat](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/mazeyrat)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/5 "2019-01-18T16:08:47Z")

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You can export the project and import it.  
This will erase the changelog.

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**Author:** ![michael.mccabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@michael.mccabe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/michael.mccabe)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 9:49am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/6 "2019-01-21T09:49:23Z")

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This done the trick. Got it down to around 14mb.  
Thank you for the help.

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**Author:** ![michael.mccabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@michael.mccabe](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/michael.mccabe)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 9:51am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-to-reduce-backup-size/21966/7 "2019-01-21T09:51:56Z")

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Thank you for the advice, don’t think it comes into play in my current project but will be useful to know for the future.