Thanks to both for answers - what I did do what exclude them through file selections for now - as it was th only way I could figure to do it.
@BEsymc - I have checked the registry for the Active Exclusion value and it is not set (meaning Active File Exclusion should be on).
I also do have the Exchange agent licensed and running - I am backing up the entire IS using the agent in another job (I can browse the entire IS and all mailboxes).
I am curious because you seem to indicate that I shouldn't even see the exchange flat file structure as a selection when browsing my drive?
Also, you seem to indicate in your response that the files should be skipped, yet you don't make any differentiation between using AOFO and not using AOFO.
Can you confirm that if working properly, I shouldn't even be able to select the edb/stm/log files in my selection list?
Can you confirm if the edb/stm/log files should be excluded with Active File Exclusion when using or not using AOFO options in a job? (i.e. Active File Exclusion does or does not work when using AOFO?).
thanks!
UPDATE: Just to confirm - the documentation/help states the following:
"If you select a volume that contains Exchange data for backup, the Exchange Agent uses Active File Exclusion to automatically exclude Exchange data that should not be included in a volume-level backup. For example, .EDB and .STM files, as well as transaction log files, should not be part of a volume-level backup because they are opened for exclusive use by Exchange.
Without this exclusion, during a non-snapshot backup, these files appear as in use - skipped. During a snapshot backup, these files may be backed up in an inconsistent state, which could create restore issues.
While it is not recommended, if you want to include Exchange data in a volume-level backup, you must first dismount the storage groups that you want backed up, and then run the backup job."
What I am most interested in here is what is considered a snap-shot backup? Is it the same as AOFO? if Active Exclusions don't work with a snapsnot backup, is there a way to backup open files and not do a snap-shot?