What Is QCBM File Valet and When Should You Use It?

File Valet is QC Backup Manager’s Max/All Access workflow for moving selected, non-protected Joomla files into a managed off-site package. It is designed for controlled storage management, not as a general-purpose file manager.

Use File Valet when you want either a verified off-site copy of selected files or to free local disk space by parking unchanged files after QCBM has proved that the remote package can be retrieved.

Where to Find File Valet

Open QC Backup Manager and select the File Valet area. File Valet requires an effective Max or All Access entitlement plus the File Valet view permission.

If File Valet reports that Managed Private Storage must be moved first, open Settings → Advanced Storage Tools. File Valet’s working package folder must be outside the public Joomla document root.

Choose Copy Off-Site or Park Files

Copy Off-Site builds and verifies an off-site package while leaving the selected local files in place. Choose it when you want another managed copy without reclaiming local storage.

Park Files follows the same package-and-verification process, then removes only local files that still match the recorded version. Choose it when the goal is to recover disk space and you are prepared to retrieve those files later through File Valet.

What File Valet Protects

QCBM excludes Joomla system areas, QCBM working/recovery files, configured local export areas, symbolic links, paths outside the Joomla root, and other protected locations. These exclusions prevent File Valet from moving files needed to operate or recover the site.

During a Park operation, QCBM records SHA-256 checksums for queued files. It uploads the package, downloads it again for verification, and only then considers local cleanup. A local file that changed after inventory is preserved instead of deleted.

When File Valet Is a Good Fit

  • Large media or archive files are consuming Joomla disk space.
  • You want a managed off-site copy of selected content without making a full-site backup.
  • You need the ability to restore parked files to their original paths later.
  • You want QCBM to track the package, verification state, and retrieval lifecycle rather than manually moving files.

When to Use a Normal Backup Instead

File Valet does not replace a complete QCBM backup. Use a normal Backup Set when you need a recovery point for the Joomla database, extensions, configuration, or the whole site. File Valet is intentionally limited to eligible selected files and folders.

Before Your First File Valet Job

  1. Confirm Max or All Access is effective and your account has the required File Valet permissions.
  2. Confirm Managed Private Storage is outside the public Joomla document root.
  3. Create, enable, and test an Export Destination.
  4. Start with a small set of non-critical files.
  5. Use Copy Off-Site first if you want to prove the workflow before parking files.

What a Successful Job Means

A Copy job finishes as Copied Off-Site after QCBM has verified the remote package; local originals remain. A successful Park job finishes as Parked after verification and removal of unchanged local files. If changed or unavailable files cannot be removed, QCBM keeps them and reports a partially parked result for review.

Community Discussion

Want to compare workflows, share practical tips, or discuss how you use this QCBM feature? Visit the QC Backup Manager Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.