Recommend me some file backup software

Hi Guys,

I''d like to ask the community about suggestions for file backup software (to a NAS or usb drive etc... not online), basically I've been using Genietimeline pro, however I'm looking for something simpler (the version I have is kind of annoying where I can't clean old backups and thus my backup drive is starting to fill up), they have a new version out but I don't plan to buy anymore.

right now i'm trying backup maker (free version) and see if it works out.

 

I use Acronis True Image. I love it, but then again, you stated you don't want to purchase anything. With Acronis, I have just run it manually when I want to create a new backup. Usually every week or everyother week. Depending on if I've loaded noew things like pics, apps, ect. Also create a new image before I do any big changes. But since I create an entire new image, I delete the old ones.

I also use it with a 3TB External. I have several images. One for my OS/Apps drive, once for my gaming SSD, one of my 1TB data storage drive on my laptop, and one of my wifes SSD. Can never back up too much.

It also has options for incremental backups and such. It's probably my most valuable program.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I haven't tried windows backup since the XP days (which didn't go too well). gonna check out what windows 8 is offering
as for acronis I need the files to be readable per file so I could easily copy to different portable drives as necessary (fairly large virtual machines), but at the same time could create a weekly ran schedule to backup several folders on my designated backup drive.

 

I don't trust backup software over the old copy + paste method. But if you want automated backup, the built in Windows Backup and Restore works fine. Not exactly robust or has many bells and whistles is all.

This one has received high marks: Easeus Todo Backup Free - CNET Download.com

 

Heh, I wish I could just do the old copy and paste method, but these are fairly large virtual machines (40-80gigs per vm) and would prefer it to run unattended on schedule

Thanks for the suggestions, trying out the windows 8 backup / windows 7 file recovery.

 

Ah, completely understandable.

If you try any of the third party ones out, provide some feedback. I try to be open minded, after all!

 

Just to update, I've been using windows 8's backup tool (which is called windows 7 File recovery) and so far I'm quite happy with it, even setting up my external drive as a network drive for my wife's laptop has been a breeze as well.
Next i'll try to add another backup on my NAS server as well.

 

I second this. My old C++ professor from High School (10+ years ago) always taught us it was safer and more economical to buy a spare hard drive and transfer all the files and data to the spare. So long as you regularly backup the data to the spare drive and keep the drive in an antistatic bag stored in a safe place, you will never be at the mercy of a third party software that may not have created the backup image correctly. I've held true to this for many years and though it takes more time for backups, Windows 7 has made the process easier since I can set Explorer to merge folders from my system volumes to my backup drives and only overwrite those files which have been modified.

 

My safety setup:

2 or 3 partitions on laptops, C D E

Easeus Todo (has been excellent here, used it for years) to image the OS partition (regularly saving C to the D partition & to USB drive).

Manual copy of all personal files\folders from the other partition(s) (no personal files on C) to USB hd.

Several large USB drives for backup purposes (hd space is very inexpensive).

 

If you're ok with command line, robocopy is free and very robust. I use it to sync/backup files from my WHS to my backup WHS. Once you learn it, no GUI utility can come close to the features and flexibility. You can use Windows scheduler to run your robocopy bat file as needed. It's a fun little project if you like to get your hands dirty. It is even multi-threaded (if you use the /MT switch), although your IO bus will likely be saturated before really being able to make use of it thoroughly.

Just be sure to practice with some fake files and folder structure first before engaging because it's not too forgiving with any "undo".

It is really more for data not for system imaging though, but I believe it's capable of that too if proper switches are engaged.

Get to Know Robocopy for More Powerful File Management