# No versioning on one subfolder
**URL:** https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [July 26, 2021, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144 "2021-07-26T08:18:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@spreegermane](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/spreegermane)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2021, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/1 "2021-07-26T08:18:24Z")
Hello together, I have one problem i can not find a solution for.
I have a linux machine “A” with a folder /var/example where Syncting points to for synchronization. There are subfolders /var/example/db-backup and /var/example/fs-backup. /var/example/db-backup contains files, while /var/example/fs-backup contains two subfolders /var/example/fs-backup/one and /var/example/fs-backup/two that both contain files. On a linux machine “B” I have turned on versioning for the remote folder “/var/example@machineA”. Funny thing that happens a) the files in /var/example/db-backup appear in the .stversions/db-backup as expected b) nothing happens to .stversions/fs-backup - it doesn’t even create the folder .stversions/fs-backup. But on machine “B” in folder /var/example@machineA/fs-backup always appers the latest version of files in their subfolders “one” and “two”. So syncronization does work for this folder but no versioning.
So why (how can I investigate) does it work on one subfolder but doesn’t to another as hey are both subfloder to folder where versioning is turned on ?
Both machines are Syncthing v1.18.0
Thanks in advance for your help.
BR chris
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### Author:  [@spreegermane](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/spreegermane)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2021, 9:05am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/2 "2021-07-26T09:05:22Z")
having a look to the logfile i see a difference in handling the files in the different folders, but i have no clue why it is like this and how i can change this behavior.
When versioning works it says something about “update file”: [VIANF] 2021/07/26 10:58:03 VERBOSE: Started syncing “4fd23-7vdvx” / “db-backup/elgg.sql” (update file)
When versioning doesn’t work it says something about “metadata file”: [VIANF] 2021/07/26 10:41:21 VERBOSE: Started syncing “4fd23-7vdvx” / “fs-backup/etc/mysql.tgz” (metadata file) [VIANF] 2021/07/26 10:41:21 VERBOSE: Finished syncing “4fd23-7vdvx” / “fs-backup/etc/mysql.tgz” (metadata file): Success
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### Author:  [@calmh](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/calmh)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/3 "2021-07-26T18:18:20Z")
It means it was a metadata-only update (permissions or timestamp), no data was changed so it doesn’t create a version.
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### Author:  [@spreegermane](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/spreegermane)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2021, 9:36am UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/4 "2021-07-27T09:36:35Z")
THX for your reply. I got the point … but can i force it to make new version ?
Does it mean, if i change a single bit in the file, that it will make a version then ?
Reason, why i am asking is, that i use Syncthing as backup software and i fear some attacking software that encrypts my data. Can some software change a file in a manner that it appears only as a metadata update ?
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### Author:  [@wweich](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/wweich)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2021, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/5 "2021-07-27T13:50:04Z")
> [@spreegermane](#):
>
> Can some software change a file in a manner that it appears only as a metadata update ?
Not really, as a metadata change (mtime, size) triggers the hashing of the file. If the hash differs, the file get updated and will result in versioning.
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### Author:  [@imsodin](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/imsodin)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2021, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/6 "2021-07-27T14:18:10Z")
Syncthing is not intended for backup!
Using versioning as a first line of defense against data loss is fine of course, but do not rely on it. Use a dedicated backup program to protect your data.
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### Author:  [@spreegermane](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/spreegermane)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/7 "2021-07-27T15:20:49Z")
thanks to you all, it is clear to me now …
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### Author:  [@system](https://forum.syncthing.net/u/system)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.syncthing.net/t/no-versioning-on-one-subfolder/17144/8 "2021-08-26T15:21:40Z")
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