Solved Backup Questions

[AutumnBreeze]

I have two separate hard drives on my laptop: one is for the system, the other is for data.

I use Windows backup utility to back up my data drive only. Then, in a separate process, I create a system image. So I don't include the system drive in my backup.

Is this OK or am I missing something?

I would appreciate feedback.

TIA

 

[samuria]

Windows backup is rubbish and never works well plus you need windows to restore using a free imaging util which you can create a bootable drive is best option. You should consider Google backup and sync that will copy to the cloud were its safe and its free with unlimited photos

 

[SIW2]

If you are backing up the data separately, there is no need to also include it in an image.

Your strategy will depend on your needs. Karen's replicator might suit you Karen's Replicator the Backup Utility for Windows v3.7.6 Released May 25, 2020 | Karen's Power Tools. It is more flexible than windows file and folder backup.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Windows backup is rubbish and never works well plus you need windows to restore using a free imaging util which you can create a bootable drive is best option. You should consider Google backup and sync that will copy to the cloud were its safe and its free with unlimited photos

Samuria, yes, I understand about the tools. However, regardless of the tools used, is making system image sufficient to be able to correct any system problems that might arise in the future? I have a bootable Wind 7 disk as well.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

If you are backing up the data separately, there is no need to also include it in an image.

Your strategy will depend on your needs. Karen's replicator might suit you Karen's Replicator the Backup Utility for Windows v3.7.6 Released May 25, 2020 | Karen's Power Tools. It is more flexible than windows file and folder backup.

SIW2, I only back up my data drive, not the system drive.

I store a lot of data on my computer. At the same time, only a few files are regularly changed. Backing up all of the data takes a long time and in this case, from my point of view, is not necessary. I make copies of the files I work on and save them on a USB stick every day. I do a proper full back up of the data drive about one a month, if that.

But I would like to save a copy of my system much more often in case something goes wrong, and some system files get corrupted. Creating a system image doesn't take a lot of time. But I am wondering if this will allow me to restore my system if and when something goes wrong, since the system drive is not backed up via the data backup utility.

This is a reason why I do these two things separately.

I hope my question is clear, since i don't have a deep understanding of the various backup methods.

 

[dg1261]

But I would like to save a copy of my system much more often in case something goes wrong, and some system files get corrupted. Creating a system image doesn't take a lot of time. But I am wondering if this will allow me to restore my system if and when something goes wrong, since the system drive is not backed up via the data backup utility.

This is a reason why I do these two things separately.

Yes, your strategy is practical, and better than most (in comparison to users who keep their data commingled and try to back up both together). Between the system image and your data backup, you should be able to completely restore your system.

I think what samuria is alluding to is that Windows Backup is notoriously unreliable for backing up your system, so if/when the time comes to restore your OS drive you could find your otherwise reasonable strategy is all for naught. There are several free imaging utilities that are far more reliable than Windows Backup, and I would urge you to consider switching.

Segregating your data from the OS was wise because the OS does not need to be backed up as frequently as your data. Backing up once every 3-6 months is typically sufficient for the OS because most of its files don't change that often. You data should be backed up far more often, and it sounds like you've already got a handle on that.

If it makes you feel better to backup your OS more often, perhaps you may want to consider one of the free imaging utilities that can also make incremental backups between longer term, full OS backups. Essentially, you want to balance the time involved making backups against the time it would take to be back up and running with a restored, current system. For that reason, occasional full OS backups with intermediate incremental backups is more practical than frequent full backups.

 

[RolandJS]

I average full image of my laptops' OS partition roughly twice monthly, each laptop has a dedicated ext USB HDD which houses one full OS image by Macrium Reflect and one full OS image by Image for Windows.

 

[Snick]

AutumnBreeze

I full image backup my OS Drive and my Data Drive separately, weekly to an external hard drive and when finished I disconnect the drive.
AOMEI Backupper Standard (free)
Macrium Reflect free is also recommended here on Sevenforums. I find the GUI more difficult for less savvy computer users.
My Opinion

 

[AutumnBreeze]

I think what samuria is alluding to is that Windows Backup is notoriously unreliable for backing up your system, so if/when the time comes to restore your OS drive you could find your otherwise reasonable strategy is all for naught. There are several free imaging utilities that are far more reliable than Windows Backup, and I would urge you to consider switching.

Yes, I appreciate these suggestions. I was just thinking to make a separate post about backup tools, as there seem to be a few different recommendations, and I don't know which tools would be better suited for my situation.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Thank you, everybody. I will have a look at the different tools suggested.

 

[Snick]

Yes, I appreciate these suggestions. I was just thinking to make a separate post about backup tools, as there seem to be a few different recommendations, and I don't know which tools would be better suited for my situation.

Being less computer savvy, I would recommend AOMEI Backupper Standard free, simple to navigate Graphical User Interface (GUI)

AOMEI Backupper Video Tutorials

 

[RolandJS]

Backing up Snick, yes, absolutely look at AOMEI Backupper and maybe consider adding Macrium Reflect. Both have free versions which should just fine for you. I use two backup/restore programs, in the rare case one fails to restore, the other restores fine.

 

[Snick]

Backing up Snick, yes, absolutely look at AOMEI Backupper and maybe consider adding Macrium Reflect. Both have free versions which should just fine for you. I use two backup/restore programs, in the rare case one fails to restore, the other restores fine.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Being less computer savvy, I would recommend AOMEI Backupper Standard free, simple to navigate Graphical User Interface (GUI)

AOMEI Backupper Video Tutorials

Thank you for the recommendation and for the tutorial link.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Backing up Snick, yes, absolutely look at AOMEI Backupper and maybe consider adding Macrium Reflect. Both have free versions which should just fine for you. I use two backup/restore programs, in the rare case one fails to restore, the other restores fine.

Thank you! This is a good idea.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Point of order:

Over the past 40 years, I've had to set up Backup/Restore programs for Banks, Law Offices, Insurance Companies, and even a CEO's office.

First the backup must be easy to accomplish, without a degree in Rocket Science.
Anything that's too hard to do, just doesn't get done. Eh?

Then it must be able to be run, and boot up the PC, from either a CD or Flash Drive. (you can't run a restore from Windows, when the main drive has just Smoked and Quit.)
For the same reason you don't want your backup to be saved to the main drive....you'll need your backup to be saved to either a second internal drive, or an External drive. (I use both)

Then in that worse case scenario, where your main drive has gone up in smoke, you'll need to be able to boot up the restore program from either a CD or Flash drive and perform the restore, from some secondary drive, to a brand new HD.

Since 1997, my choice for a reliable and easy to use Backup/Restore program has been "Ghost 11.5".
It doesn't even care, if it's backing up Windows, Server, Linux, or just a data storage drive.
It sees a file, and it backs up a file. Simple! Eh?

Yes, Ghost 11.5 is still available, but not from Symantec.

Cheers mates!
Happy Computing
TechnoMage