Simple backup software for Win 7?

Hello!

I want a program for Windows 7 that backs up my personal files (NOT my system image/OS/preferences) onto an external drive so that:

• The files are available for any computer (so it basically copies/pastes the folders and files, and doesn't compress them into a format that needs specific software for restoration)
• The drive is password protected
• If possible but not necessary, I can do incremental/differential backups

I've been using Acronis True Image's File Backup, but that needs Acronis software to open the files...If I needed a file for a school computer, I wouldn't be able to access the backup so I'd have to also copy/paste beforehand, but why do both?

Any ideas?

 

cobian backup works well.......

As would any of the file sync programs. Just sync your directories to an external or network disk.

If you are worried about encryption, you can always whole-disk encrypt the external drive with TrueCrypt.

If you want things available in the 'cloud' you pretty much HAVE to do your own encryption. Too many chances for things to go missing/stolen at all of the cloud services. Their T&Cs restrict 'liability' to an oops, we'll try harder kind of apology for breaches.

 

You can always use Windows 7 internal backup program called Robocopy. It's command-line, but really easy to set up once you do a little reading. You can set it up to "only" update files that have been modified and to add new files when found from the source. Then you just run the batch file (*.bat) automatically with Windows Task Scheduler for incremental backups.

Here is example of the code I use for my backup.bat file. You can modify the drive pathways and delete code for your own use.

Code:

REM ***  Robocopy Backup  ***

REM *** Kill any Robocopies that are still running  ***
taskkill /f /im robocopy.exe

REM ***  Automatic User Login to the laptop over the network ***
net use \\AYLAFAN-LAPTOP /USER:AYLAFAN-LAPTOP\MYUSERNAME MYPASSWORD

REM ***  Backup pictures to the external hard drive  ***
start /min robocopy "C:\Users\aylafan\Pictures" "H:\Pictures" /e /nfl /ndl /np /r:1 /w:1 /z /log:C:\Robocopy\logs\externalpictureslog.txt

REM ***  Backup folders to the laptop over the network  ***
start /min robocopy "C:\Users\aylafan\Downloads\Password Corral" "\\AYLAFAN-LAPTOP\Downloads$\Password Corral" /e /nfl /ndl /np  /r:1 /w:1 /z /log:C:\Robocopy\logs\laptoppasswordlog.txt

exit

P.S. If you want a GUI program that does the same thing then you can try Microsoft's SyncToy with Windows Task Scheduler.

 

Easily Backup Data with Karen’s Replicator - How-To Geek

I belive 3.6.9 is the current version, I am not sure if the password protection is built into the app though

 

Appreciate all the help! All methods were great for personal backup.
But...not ideal for accessing on a public computer at school.

I tried Cobian - it appends the .enc extension to all files, which means I would need to install Cobian on that public computer (which I can't).

Then I tried Robocopy/SyncToy which was cool, but it had no password protection. Neither did Karen's Replicator. I also attempted to put a portable version of TrueCrypt on the external drive, but in order to run/restore it elsewhere, I would need UAC privileges (which I don't).

Do you see my problem? I'm not sure if this even exists but I want a program that can: do backup (this is simple!), password protect it, and be universally available for any computer's Window Explorer. Even Acronis's Universal Restore needs the Universal Restore program...

 

Were you to actually go the System Image route, the .vhd that is created can be mounted as a virtual hard drive and all of the files are accessbile. So, not only do you have a backup of your OS/preferences in an emergency, you also have all of your data, which is accessible via Disk Management.

 

Store all necessary files in passworded .zip files and sync them with the best program you found so far.

 

.zip 'password protection' is easily bypassed.

 

Try Easeus Todo Backup, it's free and it can do nearly everything of a professional backup application. Like password protect, encrypt etc.

Best free backup and recovery software - EASEUS Todo Backup Free full features

 

Try Toucan: Toucan | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

Password protection, encryption, and best of all, PORTABLE!