Hi Tazzman,

At times, purging the files from Dell DataSafe Online may not be successful.  So you can try to power off the computer and restart it again. Then try to purge the file again.

Note: In order to delete a file from the backup and to exclude it from future backups. First, you must purge the file from the account. After you have purged the file, you must exclude it from the backup set.

To exclude files and folders from Dell DataSafe Online

1. Log on to Dell DataSafe Online
2. On the home page
3. Click Settings that corresponds to the picture icon of a computer
4. On the Settings page, click the ‘What’ tab
5. On the ‘What’ tab, in the Advanced Rules section
6. Click ‘Add Rule’
7. In the’ Add Advanced Rule’ dialog box, in the drop-down list, select ‘Exclude’
8. Type the complete file or folder path in the box, and then click ‘ADD’
9. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each file or folder that user wants to exclude
10. On the ‘Settings’ page, click ‘SAVE’

Glad to assist.

I have another question. if I removed my laptop from the datasafe online, could I readd it to datasafe online to fix the problem I'm having?

I have powered down my laptop and restarted it. on delldatasafe.backup.com it still says Purge In Process. has nothing to do with my computer, there is something wrong with the website. I can't stop the purge and can't access the backup settings until the purge is done. it is when I log onto datasafe online that is say purge in process.

And I already know all of this.

To exclude files and folders from Dell DataSafe Online

1.Log on to Dell DataSafe Online

2.On the home page

3.Click Settings that corresponds to the picture icon of a computer

4.On the Settings page, click the ‘What’ tab

5.On the ‘What’ tab, in the Advanced Rules section

6.Click ‘Add Rule’

7.In the’ Add Advanced Rule’ dialog box, in the drop-down list, select ‘Exclude’

8.Type the complete file or folder path in the box, and then click ‘ADD’

9.Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each file or folder that user wants to exclude

10.On the ‘Settings’ page, click ‘SAVE’

OOPS! I mean Purge In Progress.

Hi Tazzman,

Thank you for your quick response. I will forward this matter to the back-end team for further review.

I am sending you a private message. Please respond with the information so that I can assist you further.

Please reply if you have any questions.

I have the same issue, Purge in Progress for almost 1 day now. How to fix it?

Hi Ggmillerau,

I would recommend you to try the steps mentioned below since you are facing the same issue. As purging the files from Dell DataSafe Online may take longer than usual, so you can try to power off the computer and restart it again. Then try to purge the file again.

Note: In order to delete a file from the backup and to exclude it from future backups; first, you must purge the file from the account. After you have purged the file, you must exclude it from the backup set.

To exclude files and folders from Dell DataSafe Online

• Log on to Dell DataSafe Online
• On the home page
• Click Settings that corresponds to the picture icon of a computer
• On the Settings page, click the ‘What’ tab
• On the ‘What’ tab, in the Advanced Rules section
• Click ‘Add Rule’
• In the’ Add Advanced Rule’ dialog box, in the drop-down list, select ‘Exclude’
• Type the complete file or folder path in the box, and then click ‘ADD’
• Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each file or folder that user wants to exclude
• On the ‘Settings’ page, click ‘SAVE’

Please reply with the findings if you have already tried the steps mentioned in the above post.

Please reply if you have any questions.

I have restarted the laptop.

As soon as I login to the DatSafe Online page, It still says Purge in Progress. It is impossible to select Settings. Settings doesn't appear as an option, because the Purge is in Progress.

Please advise.

Hi Ggmillerau,

I would recommend you to try the and re-install the Dell Datasafe Online client and then do a complete backup of your system. Please follow the steps below to uninstall the Dell Datasafe online.

1. Click on Start > Control panel > Program and features 
2. Choose the Dell Datasafe online and click on uninstall.

I already fixed the problem over two weeks ago. I just removed my computer from the dell data safe online site and then added it back on there. then backed it up again.

what you suggested I do, had NOTHING to do with my computer. there is something wrong with the site or the site server. I also excluded my public files from being backed up at data safe online, but it still backed up the public files.