Which backup program is best? An unbiased opinion, please.

I have downloaded 30day trials on a couple of programs. The more I read online on this subject, the more confused I get. The one I am currently considering is Rebik 5. Well, until I read some of the writeups.

I also tried the built-in MS backup program. Man, it ran and ran and that bar never moved. It ran all night and still didn't finish, so I thought - I don't think so.

I used MiniTool Partition to set up my partitions because I really don't like the Library system that Win7 forces on you. XP was far easier to use - for me, anyway.

I do like the idea of a system image. That sounds like a good thing.

I have a Seagate 2TB external hard drive. They recommend Memeo backup program.

So, tell me. What do you think I should do before I dish out my hard earned money?

It is very difficult to give an unbiased opinion on this subject. A person would naturally be biased in favour of the Program that the person uses.

Since I started making backup images about 6 years ago I have used Acronis TrueImage. I now don't have the program on the C Drive and manage everything with the TrueImage Boot Disk that I have created and updated from time to time.

In the 6 years Acronis TrueImage has not failed me even once and therefore perhaps my biased opinion is that it is about the best backup application. On this Forum however the free Macrium is extremely popular and is perhaps an excellent program. Windows 7's native backup program is not spoken very highly of by Gurus but I have never used it and so am unable to comment on its performance.

Re the built-in backup - is there something I should know? I guess you have to close all programs before starting the backup so that the .pst file is saved.

I think I'll give the built-in program another chance. Thanks for your input.

I started off with Acronis (years back), changed over to ShadowProtect Desktop before zeroing on Paragon software. ( I use the paid version of Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2011 Suite,though.)

But for those who want a free version, I always recommend Paragon's Backup & Recovery 2012 Free - Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

Try Both Macrium Reflect Free and also the Paragon Free and choose the one which you are comfortable with. (Since I do not use Macrium Reflect, I cannot give a comparative assessment.)

Acronis does not have a free version.

But if you have a Seagate or Maxtor Hard drive you can download the Disk Wizard - which is a version of Acronis. | Seagate.

If you have a Western Digital Hard drive you can download Acronis True Image WD Edition. WD Support

As pointed out it is difficult to get an unbiased opinion since if we are happy with our own particular solutions and they have worked consistently then we will promote these.

I have used Acronis TrueImage (fortunately got a free edition given away with a magazine - a long time ago!) and now use Macrium Reflect free edition. Both of these have never failed me (yet!) and I have restored many times using both.

I also am quite happy with SyncBack free edition which again does all that I require.

:)

pparks1 said:

..... I don't even hardly troubleshoot problems, I just restore images.

This method has worked great for for years. YMMV.

Same here. I haven't made any System Repair Disk. I do not know how to run Startup Repair - I get amused to read it has to be run three times and honestly I never bothered to know how to start Windows in Safe mode, clean boot and all that trouble-shooting process. Yep, that is the power of backing up.

I just remember richnrockville's mantra - 1. Backup 2. Backup and 3.Backup.:) And you will never come to grief.