Backup software for daily manual backups?

[mgrmgr]

I've been (safely but foolishly ) running Win7 without a backup system for over a year on a new computer...but am finally getting off it. On the old XP system, I had a manual program that backed up with Verify new and changed files in their native file formats from just the folders I told it to into an external HDD. When I needed to restore, I went to the external drive in Windows Explorer and copied files back. Sadly I can't remember the name of the backup program, but need something similar to backup to a new ioSafe SoloPRO 2GB external drive.

I don't want a new fangled auto backup program because of the potential danger of leaving the external drive connected and turned on all the time. (I may set up an automated online "cloud" backup program in parallel for some files later, but as a photographer I have too many large files to shoot to the cloud).

For now I need a good basic backup program that Verifies and that's smart enough to grab the basic Windows files I need, like my Live email folders, and the specific folders I tell it to. Thoughts?

Thanks, Michael

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here's a few

Karen's Replcator

SyncToy

GFI Backup

SyncBack

Second Copy

I think they are all free except Second Copy.

 

[kado897]

What is wrong with the built in Windows backup? You don't need to include an image and you can turn off the automatic scheduling. It does incremental backups most of the time.

 

[ickymay]

I use Fbackup4 and I must admit its solid and hasn't failed me yet

I have a backup that runs every week for my small txt files to a small flash drive, then I have a large backup 229GB currently that syncs my media files pics/videos/music to my NAS once a month, and another that backs up my ISO's.

This all works silently as a service with its own scheduler and lets you know if and when each backup is successful ?

I can highly recommend it

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

what is wrong with the built in windows backup? You don't need to include an image and you can turn off the automatic scheduling. It does incremental backups most of the time.

 

[Golden]

Another option to consider:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/187346-robocopy-create-backup-script.html

 

[mgrmgr]

Here's a few

Karen's Replcator

SyncToy

GFI Backup

SyncBack

Second Copy

I think they are all free except Second Copy.

Thanks, I'm taking a look at Second Copy

 

[mgrmgr]

What is wrong with the built in Windows backup? You don't need to include an image and you can turn off the automatic scheduling. It does incremental backups most of the time.

I read several reviews of it and most said it was "good enough" added caveats that steered me away. I'll take a closer look at it.

 

[whs]

backup to a new ioSafe SoloPRO 2GB external drive.

I suppose your ioSafe SoloPRO has 2TB and not 2GB (which would not get you very far) - LOL.

The fastest and easiest to use program is probably Allway Sync once you have established the backup base for which I would use the simple Copy to Folder

 

[mgrmgr]

I suppose your ioSafe SoloPRO has 2TB and not 2GB (which would not get you very far) - LOL.

The fastest and easiest to use program is probably Allway Sync once you have established the backup base for which I would use the simple Copy to Folder

What?!?! 2GB won't be enough?????? :huh:

Okay, okay, yes I meant 2TB.

Much appreciate the two links. Michael

 

[mgrmgr]

[QUOTEThe fastest and easiest to use program is probably Allway Sync once you have established the backup base for which I would use the simple Copy to Folder

Looked at the Allway Sync site (thanks) through my rather severe dyslexia and can't see if it says I can set up parameters but run it in manual mode only at the end of my workday. Assume it can, but just checking.

 

[whs]

Sure, I run it manual all the time. Just put the folders (browse) left and right and off you go. But you have to first copy your initial folder to the 2TB drive. This is a sync program. If you only work on the file in the system, it will add/delete the files in the backup as you have done in the system's original. The idea is NOT to touch the backup folder once it is first copied to the backup but let Allway Sync do the job.

Suggest you try it with a little sample. Learning by doing - LOL.

 

[SIW2]

I am fond of Karen's replicator - does everything I need and it's small and simple.

 

[mjf]

I find Windows file/folder backup ok if your backup sets are relatively small ~5GB so that when a full backup set is made it doesn't take "forever".
I'm cautious of 3rd party backup software that uses spanned zip files as opposed to zip files which can be independently upzipped (like with Windows). This way I think you stand a better chance of recovering your data if one of the files gets corrupted.

 

[mgrmgr]

Sure, I run it manual all the time. Just put the folders (browse) left and right and off you go. But you have to first copy your initial folder to the 2TB drive. This is a sync program. If you only work on the file in the system, it will add/delete the files in the backup as you have done in the system's original. The idea is NOT to touch the backup folder once it is first copied to the backup but let Allway Sync do the job.

Suggest you try it with a little sample. Learning by doing - LOL.

Thanks, WHF. Will give it a try.

 

[marimuthu49]

You can use Vembu StoreGrid backup software to backup your data over the network. It provides encrypted, compressed data transfer for modified bytes. Life time free local backup, Disaster recovery, auto scheduler and lot more ... its cost effective.

 

[kado897]

Sure, I run it manual all the time. Just put the folders (browse) left and right and off you go. But you have to first copy your initial folder to the 2TB drive. This is a sync program. If you only work on the file in the system, it will add/delete the files in the backup as you have done in the system's original. The idea is NOT to touch the backup folder once it is first copied to the backup but let Allway Sync do the job.

Suggest you try it with a little sample. Learning by doing - LOL.

Thanks, WHF. Will give it a try.

You can set it to copy only in one direction if you like so that you have all files that have ever been in the left folder copied to the right. Other sync products such as FreeFileSync allow the same.