backup method that can do this ->

[msongs]

way to backup newly created files only??

I save files to an external hard drive for backup. Is there a program/way that will only backup new files from my computer that are not already on the backup drive? As in update newly added or changed files only instead of having to backup the entire my docs folders? thanks.

 

[pparks1]

Yes, look at Robocopy which is a command line tool, or Karen's File Replicator which has a GUI and accomplishes exactly what you want.

 

[sbrads]

xxcopy with the right switches can beat everything else for speed.
Something like this........

xxcopy /s /d /Po0 "C:\Documents and Settings\MyName\My Documents\*.*" "e:\My Documents_bak"


The /s switch copies subdirectories of the main one.
The /d switch copies new files.
The /Po0 switch suppresses prompts about file overwrites.

Put the text into filename.bat using notepad, make a shortcut to this file to run. You could have multiple lines of commands for multiple folder backups.

 

[NilsE]

Just to support sbrads recommendation.

I use a .cmd batch file also to backup multiple folders to an external USB drive. The following is the lines from the file which you can copy into a .cmd file and save to your drive and then create a shortcut to it on your deskop (or anywhere else you like). Just change the to and from path statements. In my file I am going from the C drive to the E drive. In the from (left) path the *.* says every file.

The switches do pretty much what sbrads outlined but you can check what they do by opening a command window and type "help xcopy" without the quotes

@echo .
@echo .
@echo .
@echo .
@echo Backing up TO External Hard Drive

xcopy c:\Data\Personal\*.* e:\Data\Personal /e /y /d /h /r

xcopy c:\Data\Reference\*.* e:\Data\Reference /e /y /d /h /r

xcopy c:\Music\*.* e:\Music /e /y /d /h /r

xcopy c:\software\*.* e:\software /e /y /d /h /r 

pause

 

[JonM33]

I save files to an external hard drive for backup. Is there a program/way that will only backup new files from my computer that are not already on the backup drive? As in update newly added or changed files only instead of having to backup the entire my docs folders? thanks.

The Backup and Restore in Windows 7 already has this capability.

Here's an in depth review on how to use it: How To Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7 - How-To Geek