Backup Recommendation

[johnstd2]

I'm looking for a reliable piece of backup software which:

• runs under Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• allows me to specify which files/folders are to be backed up using an Explorer-type interface
• allows the destination to be on another PC in my Homegroup
• offers full backup initially and then changed files (including deletions) thereafter
• allows me to specify how many past copies of changed files are kept in the backup archive
• can be run on a schedule
• doesn't cripple the PC while it is running

The Windows 7 Backup does most of this except for backing up to a network destination and retaining a number of past copies of files. I have found this to be an invaluable facility which I don't want to do without. Does anyone know anything that can do all of this?

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

[zigzag3143]

I'm looking for a reliable piece of backup software which:

• runs under Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• allows me to specify which files/folders are to be backed up using an Explorer-type interface
• allows the destination to be on another PC in my Homegroup
• offers full backup initially and then changed files (including deletions) thereafter
• allows me to specify how many past copies of changed files are kept in the backup archive
• can be run on a schedule
• doesn't cripple the PC while it is running

The Windows 7 Backup does most of this except for backing up to a network destination and retaining a number of past copies of files. I have found this to be an invaluable facility which I don't want to do without. Does anyone know anything that can do all of this?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Hi and nice post.

This is an easy one. There are several but IMHO Acronis is best. I had been using Symantec ghost until it became bloated and hosed my system. Acronis has a small footprint, uses minimal resources and fits your requirements. You will get many other suggestions.

Ken J+

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you want a file by file application rather than an imaging application, I have used "Second Copy" from Centered Systems for 10 years with absolutely no issues.

http://www.centered.com/index.html

A 30 day trial is available at no charge. If you want to keep it, it's $30 and they send you a registration key.

It supports both 32 and 64 bit Win 7. I have used it since Windows 98 and am currently using it on Win 7 32-bit.

Here is the screen showing where you can set the number of copies of deleted files to keep.

It is about as intuitive as an app can be. You make a custom "profile" for each backup group you want to use. You could have 1 profile for everything, or break them up into categories.

I have profiles for text files, pictures and video, mp3, email, and bookmarks. I run each with a single click on demand, but they can be automated.

 

[harpua]

I use Acronis TIH 2010 for the main system backup and also making clones. It has all the requested features and more and with the new optional "plus pack" (which adds some additional features) can even restore a system backup made on one machine to an entirely different computer. I would think this latter feature (assuming it actually works well) could be very useful for migrating to another machine, but I haven't tested it yet.

I also like the free and recently updated Microsoft SycToy 2.1 (which is a bit like second copy, but even better, imo) for backing up specific folders and keeping them synched. SyncToy doesn't have it's own built in scheduler but contains instructions on how to use the Windows Scheduler to automate it. It really is an outstanding utility, imo.

 

[SIW2]

Hi John,

Macrium Reflect has all the features you list, and is by far the smallest, fastest and most efficient backup app.

You could try the free edition first ( not as complete as the paid one of course as it does imaging , but not file and folder backup - you need the paid version for that - but will give you a good idea of what it does)

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp


Paragon and Acronis are two other widely used apps. They are much larger than Macrium , and have extra features (which you may not want). Neither of them are as fast as Macrium, although Paragon is also very low on resource usage.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
+1 for Acronis.

Problem with Macrium is that it uses MS's VSS (Volume Shadow Service)

This means that if you have a SMALL Windows 7 partition you can run into problems.

Acronis doesn't depend on you using the VSS. The advantage of this is that you can CHANGE the size of the partition being restored and can also move images to different types of Disks (and Disks of different capacities).

Acronis also doesn't backup / restore "Non used" space - another disadvantage of the problem of having to rely on MS's VSS (although you can "Force" Acronis into a "Byte" by "Byte" recovery mode -- not sure why you would actually want to do that BTW).

A Backup that doesn't allow you to restore Folders and files however IMO is WORSE than USELESS so I DON'T recommend the FREE version as it will give you a "False sense of security".

If you just need a basic Image backup what's wrong with the built in Windows Backup.

Acronis can backup individual files / folders even from an "Image" backup.



Cheers
jimbo.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Jimbo,

I am afraid you are mistaken.

Macrium uses VSS in preference - it does not depend on it - Macrium has it's own drivers if, for example, VSS isn't working.

I have never come across a situation where Macrium has a problem with small partitions - in fact it is able to image the 100mb partition , using VSS, where Windows own System image program cannot.

Macrium only images the used space - it does not back up non used space, unless you specifically ask it to to do a sector by sector image.

The FREE version does allow you to restore any file or folder from a partition/drive image - it can mount the image and let you copy them back.

You can resize the partitions during restore , and restore to wherever you like including to disks of different types and capacities.

The point of the free version is to see if you like the way the program operates.

Some people will only need the free version, those who want extra functions can then move to the paid version.

 

[johnstd2]

Thank You

Thank you all - very helpful - especially ignatzatsonic's suggestion of Second Copy which appears to do eveything I want. I have been running it for about a week and am just about to invest in a licensed copy.

Much appreciated guys.

 

[thess]

There is a new automatic remote backup software that does all these that you ask.
I haven't tried it yet,but you can find its features on this page: Online Backup, Data Backup & Remote Backup Service - Automatic Software
It also offers unlimited online backup. The prices are the best I've met so far.
It will be open for members on Tuesday 21 of April. It's worth waiting for.

 

[james m]

Can someone recommend a good external(standalone) hard drive to use for Windows 7 backup? I want to be in a situation that I can connect this drive and download everthing from my last backup and be back in operation from a hard drive crash for example. I currently have around 3gig of information to back up. I intend to use the routines provided with Windows 7 to do the actual backup.
Jim

 

[Tews]

This is what I use...

Western Digital

 

[jimbo45]

I use Acronis TIH 2010 for the main system backup and also making clones. It has all the requested features and more and with the new optional "plus pack" (which adds some additional features) can even restore a system backup made on one machine to an entirely different computer. I would think this latter feature (assuming it actually works well) could be very useful for migrating to another machine, but I haven't tested it yet.

I also like the free and recently updated Microsoft SycToy 2.1 (which is a bit like second copy, but even better, imo) for backing up specific folders and keeping them synched. SyncToy doesn't have it's own built in scheduler but contains instructions on how to use the Windows Scheduler to automate it. It really is an outstanding utility, imo.

Hi there

For restoring / copying to different hardware I think it's the Acronis Universal restore is what you are talking about and it also gives you the option to load drivers if you want during the restore.

I've used this feature many times when making Virtual Machine images from a real running system (P2V - Physical to Virtual conversion) and the reverse (V2P - Virtual to Real conversion).

You will get some minor hiccups from time to time and probably will have to install a driver or two after initial boot.

On the rare cases where you get a BSOD on boot using a Windows install disk with the repair system on boot usually fixes the problem.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Maxxwire]

Can someone recommend a good external(standalone) hard drive to use for Windows 7 backup? I want to be in a situation that I can connect this drive and download everthing from my last backup and be back in operation from a hard drive crash for example.

I use a LaCie Hard Disk MAX 2TB Quadra eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 RAID Hard Drive which is configutable in either Raid 0 with 2 TB of space for speed or Raid 1 at 1TB with the 2 1 TB drives mirrored for added data protection in that if one drive fails it can be restored from the other.

I reaize that this is a much larger external drive than you may be looking for, but after having 4 smaller drives die on me in less than a year I went with this one because it is fan cooled and many owners report no problems with their LaCie drives even after 4 years of use.

The LaCie is also fairly quick doing a 22.6 GB System Backup in just 3:35 minutes over eSATA wire and it can restore the complete 7.9 GB Reflect System Image Backup in only 4:40 minutes which takes at least 3X as long over USB.

~Maxx~
.

 

[lordvader]

I need a good backup External Hard drive with USB 3.0 (dont have Usb 3.0in my Laptop)
so will need a adapter i guess with it
& would like a Portable highspeed of 640gb or 1T is better

But more Important part is I have say, 1000 songs on 20 different folder
& i download couple more
I have work files I save in different folders
Softwares I save in different folders

Then after a month I need to backup & dont remember which folder i had put the Files in

So is there a External Hard drive, which when connected
will automatically backup files, ONLY the ones that are not backed up
cos its a pain to backup everything again & again takes a lot of time

cos I dont carry around external hard drive
Please Suggest need help

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So is there a External Hard drive, which when connected
will automatically backup files, ONLY the ones that are not backed up
cos its a pain to backup everything again & again

Any halfway sophisticated backup program will back up ONLY the files that have not been previously backed up and would include any newly created files.

External hard drives don't backup files. Programs do.

Pick an application from the many mentioned in this thread. Pick a hard drive. Then back up.

 

[lordvader]

So is there a External Hard drive, which when connected
will automatically backup files, ONLY the ones that are not backed up
cos its a pain to backup everything again & again

Any halfway sophisticated backup program will back up ONLY the files that have not been previously backed up and would include any newly created files.

External hard drives don't backup files. Programs do.

Pick an application from the many mentioned in this thread. Pick a hard drive. Then back up.

I thought the new drives had a built in backup software
But thanks anyway

care to recommend one or the Best there is

 

[Maxxwire]

I've been trying out Karen's Replicator v3.6.8 to copy files from the daily use drive to the 1TB and 2 TB inert backup drives and to the computer if the file is hosted there also. Its a thing of beauty to watch this program do in seconds what would take minutes or even hours to do manually.

~Maxx~
.