or just do: set backupdir=./.backup,.,/tmp set directory=.,./.backup,/tmp This way, if you want your backups to be neatly grouped, just create a directory ca

or just do: set backupdir=./.backup,.,/tmp set directory=.,./.backup,/tmp This way, if you want your backups to be neatly grouped, just create a directory called '.backup' in your working directory. Vim will stash backups there. The 'directory' option controls where swap files go. If your working directory is not writable, Vim will put the swap file in one of the specified places. (http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Remove_swap_and_backup_files_from_your_working_directory http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Remove_swap_and_backup_files_from_...)