Backup Software - Use Built-In Windows 7 or Other?

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #11

    I also couldn't help but notice this comment in the Acronis True Image guide:

    "An incremental or differential backup created after a disk is defragmented might be considerably larger than usual. This is because the defragmentation program changes file locations on the disk and the backups reflect these changes. Therefore, it is recommended that you re-create a full backup after disk defragmentation."

    I understand why... but that would be silly for me since I have a weekly scheduled defrag each Sunday. What I'm looking for is simply to backup all my important files ie: Pictures, Videos, MP3's etc and then run a backup each week that will only update, store or re-write those files that changed or that have been added to the monitored folders. Any suggestions?
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  2. Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       #12

    afa the image backup goes.. before you depend on it, create the Restore CD and boot it. Does the restore program see your HD? If not, you can be stuck completely, or stuck with a super slow "compatibility mode" restore(meaning it can take 10 times longer than normal!)

    The "best" image backup program is one you can boot the Restore CD and restore from at normal speed on your hardware.

    afa backing up ordinary files, I often use FreeCommander. It has a directory Sync function where you can compare folders optionally including subfolders, and sync them in both directions. It's 32 bit but has a lot of nice features.
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  3. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    PJStyles said:
    Are there any other programs that would allow me to backup the files in actual usable files without mounting issues? I like the idea of the actual file being available as opposed to having to go through some extra steps to restore them. However, using a command line program isn't what I'm looking for.

    I was hoping for a more GUI interface to backup files. Would Acronis or any of the others provide the same functionality as Robocopy?

    Thanks

    PJStyles
    Look at either
    1). Microsoft Sync Toy
    2). Karen's file Replicator

    Both utilize robocopy on the backside....but have a GUI interface to make it easier.


    As far as a batch file goes at the command line, it's easy. Create a file with notepad, give it a .bat extension

    robocopy C:\datafolder E:\backup\datafolder /MIR
    robocopy C:\musicfolder E:\backups\musicfolder /MIR


    Run the batch file. It does the directories recursively, so if you data is sorted out, you often only have to have a handful of these lines, one right after another to back up everything important.
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  4. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #14
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  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Great point!! I've decided to just stick with the built-in Backup and Restore utility in Windows 7. I've created the boot disc and made my first full backup. Going to test the boot disc to see if I can see my USB Drive which is where I backed up my files.

    Thanks

    MilesAhead said:
    The "best" image backup program is one you can boot the Restore CD and restore from at normal speed on your hardware.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #16

    That's exactly what I was looking for. I suppose I wouldn't need to run a regular backup using the Backup and Restore if I'm using Microsoft Sync Toy since it will automatically copy files over that aren't on the backup drive ie: newly created/saved files?

    pparks1 said:

    1). Microsoft Sync Toy
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       #17

    PJStyles said:
    Great point!! I've decided to just stick with the built-in Backup and Restore utility in Windows 7. I've created the boot disc and made my first full backup. Going to test the boot disc to see if I can see my USB Drive which is where I backed up my files.

    Thanks
    Just about anything is going to be able to see the USB drive. The concern is seeing the system hard drive from the boot disc. As example, I was happily using Paragon Drive Backup making backups to my USB drive. Then I needed to do a restore. The restore program on the boot CD didn't recognize my HD controller since it's Raid. I had to restore at 1/10th speed.. meaning letting it run overnight for 9 hours.
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  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #18

    Did you have a close look at your Win7 image - there is no simple way you can mount it and pull off individual files. That is a major shortfall (besides all the other warstories we see regarding Win7 imaging). I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole (although I have tried it out).
    A good imaging program should allow you to mount the images and see and do things with it. That is why I use free Macrium after I had used Norton Ghost for a long time and Paragon for a while. Macrium is the easiest, fastest and most transparent of them all - and it works every time.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #19

    whs said:
    Did you have a close look at your Win7 image - there is no way you can mount it and pull off individual files. That is a major shortfall (besides all the other warstories we see regarding Win7 imaging). I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole (although I have tried it out).
    A good imaging program should allow you to mount the images and see and do things with it. That is why I use free Macrium after I had used Norton Ghost for a long time and Paragon for a while. Macrium is the easiest, fastest and most transparent of them all - and it works every time.
    Here's Brink's tutorial how to do it with Disk Management, and my tutorial how to do it with Virtual PC. Both methods work with Windows Backup and Restore system images.

    Kari
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #20

    Thanks Kari. I did not see those before. Quite a few hoops to jump for a simple operation. But at least, it seems to be possible - somehow. I correct: " There is no simple way..."
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