Windows 7: what is the better options to use to do incremental backup

Hi,

I was trying to back up data from office to home via VPN connection. All PCs running Windows 7 for both ends. I have a batch file that uses Robocopy to perform "incremental backup" from the office to home.

Here is the example
robocopy c:/sharedFiles "\\192.168.1.10\myHome\sharedFiles" /E

When I run the batch file, the VPN connection was fine. So the VPN was not the issue.

I found it strange that every time I run the batch file. It uploaded the same file again and again. I was pretty sure it already did it but it marked it as newer and did upload the file again and again. This is a waste of bandwidth.

Wonder what's the best way to do incremental backup?



I am tempted to use /mir but this option is very risky as I could have important files deleted by accident.

By my understanding, option /E should do the job as it only copies the modified files as well as new files and empty folders. That's what I want to do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I would purchase an external hard drive and do the backup locally, in the office using Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect Free. Acronis also supports network backups but that has got to be slow compared to backing up to a local USB external drive.

As for Robocopy, I think you need to use the /XO flag along with /E.

/XO : eXclude Older - if destination file exists and is the same date or newer than the source - don't bother to overwrite it.

To sync data files, I would use Allway Sync. It is easy, fast and reliable.

Hi,

See if this tutorial helps you:

The /MIR option is probably the want you want, but as you recognise it can be dangerous.

ROBOCOPY - Create Backup Script

Regards,
Golden

Backup User and System Files