Database and backup folders

Database folders

FileMaker Server allows you to host databases in the following folders:

  • The default database folder: Use the default database folder to host encrypted and unencrypted database files. To help you manage a large number of files, the default database folder supports placing files in sub-folders, but only one level down.

    The location of the default database folder is displayed on the Configuration > Folders tab. The full path is:

    • Windows: filewin:/[drive]:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Databases/

      If FileMaker Server is installed in a non-default location, the beginning portion of the default path shown above, /Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server, is replaced with the path that was specified during installation. For example: /My_Path/Data/Databases/

    • macOS: filemac:/[drive-name]/Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Databases/

    • Linux: filelinux:/opt/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Databases/

  • The secure database folder: Use the secure database folder for hosting encrypted files. This folder does not support placing files in sub-folders. Before copying files to the secure database folder, you must:

    • ensure that the Guest account is not using the Full Access privilege set

    • ensure that no Full Access accounts have empty passwords

    • ensure that no Full Access account has a password stored in the database using the File Options dialog box Log in using option

    For encrypted files hosted in the secure database folder, FileMaker Server does not permit Guest account access or access for accounts that automatically log in (accounts specified for the Log in using option enabled in the File Options dialog box).

    The location of the secure database folder is displayed on the Configuration > Folders tab. The full path is:

    • Windows: filewin:/[drive]:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Secure/

      If FileMaker Server is installed in a non-default location, the beginning portion of the default path shown above, /Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server, is replaced with the path that was specified during installation. For example: /My_Path/Data/Secure/

    • macOS: filemac:/[drive-name]/Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Secure/

    • Linux: filelinux:/opt/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Secure/

  • An additional database folder. You can use the additional database folder to host encrypted and non-encrypted database files. This folder supports placing files in sub-folders, but only one level down.

    Specify the location of the default database folder on the Configuration > Folders tab. See Setting up an additional database folder.

Backup folders

FileMaker Server allows you to specify two backup folders:

  • The default backup folder. This is the folder used for the daily automatic backups and for on-demand backup files created when you click Back Up Now on the Backups page. When you create a backup schedule, the default backup folder is the initial value used for the Backup Folder field. See Setting the default backup folder.

  • The progressive backup folder. This is the folder used when you enable the Progressive Backup feature. See Setting up a progressive backup folder.

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