Automatic backup using task scheduler

[mahmoudmoosa8]

Hi,

Please i am looking for taking daily backup at 2:30 AM using Windows 7 built-in task scheduler.
My purpose is to take complete PC backup including Windows 7 as well as installed programs and save them to my External HDD.

i checked different tutorials but unfortunately it doesn't work with me. moreover, in case Windows has been backed up, how can i restore it to other computer successfully? please help.

Thank you very much and i appreciate all reply.

 

[samuria]

Welcome to the forum. You dont say how your backing up with what? the bast and simpliest way is to use free imaging software and create images that way you can keep a few backups to restore you boot the recovery cd for the imaging software and restore in 20 mins most have a built in shedule that will do it all for you

Create Backup Image with Macrium Reflect by Britec - YouTube

 

[mahmoudmoosa8]

Hi and thank you for your reply.

I am backing up using backup and restore feature in control panel.

Regarding macrium i already used it but not what i am looking for despite it is very good software.

To be sepecific, i am interested to use simple method which already built in inside windows instead of using 3rd party software.

I like the task scheduler to do the job perfectly without human being touch, just do the configure from first time and leave it do the rest as per your schedule.

Hope you got my point.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Hi,

Please i am looking for taking daily backup at 2:30 AM using Windows 7 built-in task scheduler.
My purpose is to take complete PC backup including Windows 7 as well as installed programs and save them to my External HDD.

i checked different tutorials but unfortunately it doesn't work with me. moreover, in case Windows has been backed up, how can i restore it to other computer successfully? please help.

Thank you very much and i appreciate all reply.

First, I do not recommend automatic backups because they require that the backup drive be permanently connected to the computer, putting it at higher risk for damage from malware. A backup drive should be connected to the computer only while updating the backup.

System files (OS and programs) should be backed up differently than data files. The OS and programs should be on their own drive or partition (C, then you can use an imaging program, such as Macrium Reflect Free. While imaging (best) and cloning are the only way to backup System files, they are not the best way to backup data files.

Data should be kept on a separate drive(s) or partition. Then you can use a folder/file syncing program, such as FreeFileSync. Folder/file syncing is far more efficient than imaging (imaging is still the best method for backing up System files). When set to Mirror, it works by comparing a source drive or folder with the destination drive or folder (FreeFileSync treats drives the same as folders), then copies files from the source to the destination and deletes files from the destination as needed to essentially make the destination an exact copy of the source. Since only new, changed, and deleted files are involved, backup updates are much faster.

It does not take long to run backups if set up properly so there is no need for automatic backups.

 

[mahmoudmoosa8]

Hi,

Sounds perfect what you explained.
The computer is off line and only used on LAN.

I will try your method and update you.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Hi,

Sounds perfect what you explained.
The computer is off line and only used on LAN.

I will try your method and update you.

Thank you very much for your help.

You're welcome.

Even though your computer is disconnected from the internet and even if the backup drives are external and each have their own power supplies, a current surge or voltage spike (such as a nearby lightning strike to the power lines) that blows through a surge arrestor could still damage the backup drives. Only by keeping the drives disconnected can you protect you from that possibility (granted, it's remote but why take chances?). Also, backing up each backup drive separately form the computer instead of each other eliminates the chance of possible corrupted data on one backup drive being carried over to the second one (all drives, including backup drives, are subject to failure and getting errors).

One way to increase the security of your backups is to keep one of your backups offsite and the other one onsite and swap them out as frequently as possible. That way, if something horrible happens, such as natural disaster or fire destroys your home and everything in it or a thief takes your computer and anything associated with it, such as backup drives, you will still have most of your data on the offsite backup drive. I use my safe deposit box at my credit union six miles from where I live to store my offsite backup drives but other places to store them include a locked desk drawer or locker at work or a trusted friend or relatives home several miles from yours.

 

[mahmoudmoosa8]

You're welcome.

Even though your computer is disconnected from the internet and even if the backup drives are external and each have their own power supplies, a current surge or voltage spike (such as a nearby lightning strike to the power lines) that blows through a surge arrestor could still damage the backup drives. Only by keeping the drives disconnected can you protect you from that possibility (granted, it's remote but why take chances?). Also, backing up each backup drive separately form the computer instead of each other eliminates the chance of possible corrupted data on one backup drive being carried over to the second one (all drives, including backup drives, are subject to failure and getting errors).

One way to increase the security of your backups is to keep one of your backups offsite and the other one onsite and swap them out as frequently as possible. That way, if something horrible happens, such as natural disaster or fire destroys your home and everything in it or a thief takes your computer and anything associated with it, such as backup drives, you will still have most of your data on the offsite backup drive. I use my safe deposit box at my credit union six miles from where I live to store my offsite backup drives but other places to store them include a locked desk drawer or locker at work or a trusted friend or relatives home several miles from yours.

Hi,

Very good point and i will apply it immediately. i will follow as you said here:

keep one of your backups offsite and the other one onsite and swap them out as frequently as possible.


Thank you very much.

 

[mahmoudmoosa8]

First, I do not recommend automatic backups because they require that the backup drive be permanently connected to the computer, putting it at higher risk for damage from malware. A backup drive should be connected to the computer only while updating the backup.

System files (OS and programs) should be backed up differently than data files. The OS and programs should be on their own drive or partition (C, then you can use an imaging program, such as Macrium Reflect Free. While imaging (best) and cloning are the only way to backup System files, they are not the best way to backup data files.

Data should be kept on a separate drive(s) or partition. Then you can use a folder/file syncing program, such as FreeFileSync. Folder/file syncing is far more efficient than imaging (imaging is still the best method for backing up System files). When set to Mirror, it works by comparing a source drive or folder with the destination drive or folder (FreeFileSync treats drives the same as folders), then copies files from the source to the destination and deletes files from the destination as needed to essentially make the destination an exact copy of the source. Since only new, changed, and deleted files are involved, backup updates are much faster.

It does not take long to run backups if set up properly so there is no need for automatic backups.

Hi,

As per my client request and due to their work time, i will start taking image backup daily.

My question please, say in case the HDD is crashed, will the Macrium Reflect Free version restore everything completely to new HDD without any problem.

Please your recommendation to do the correct steps from zero to hero so my client will be happy

Thank you very much.