Backup Software - Use Built-In Windows 7 or Other?

[PJStyles]

I've just a fresh clean install of Windows 7 and all the programs I normally use. I wanted to inquire as to what the best program is to now create an image of my system so that should I ever have to do a re-install again, I can just plop the image in and off and running without having to go and re-install each and every individual program again.

In addition, looking to make regular backups of important files such as family pictures, videos and my mp3 collection.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks

PJStyles

 

[zigzag3143]

I've just a fresh clean install of Windows 7 and all the programs I normally use. I wanted to inquire as to what the best program is to now create an image of my system so that should I ever have to do a re-install again, I can just plop the image in and off and running without having to go and re-install each and every individual program again.

In addition, looking to make regular backups of important files such as family pictures, videos and my mp3 collection.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks

PJStyles

PJ

There are 2 schools of thought. Built in doesnt add any extra apps, but is limited in function. Third party apps need to be installed but often can be more useful.

I prefer 3rd party app, and use Acronis. It can be scheduled, do files or folders, and is stable and fast.

Ask 10 ppl and you willo get 11 answers. My advice the best one is the one you will use.

If you backup you are ahead of more than 75% of ppl who dont.


Good luck

Ken

 

[Uber Philf]

Macrium does a good job, simple and easy to use:

Macrium Reflect Backup and Hard Disk Imaging for Windows 7, Vista, XP and Server 2003/2008

 

[PJStyles]

Thank for the feedback Ken. I did use Acronis back in the day but I recall there was a compatability problem with Windows 7 64-Bit version. Is that still the case? Also, do you know of any 64-bit backup-up tools available or are they still predominantly 64-bit?

Thanks

I've just a fresh clean install of Windows 7 and all the programs I normally use. I wanted to inquire as to what the best program is to now create an image of my system so that should I ever have to do a re-install again, I can just plop the image in and off and running without having to go and re-install each and every individual program again.

In addition, looking to make regular backups of important files such as family pictures, videos and my mp3 collection.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks

PJStyles

PJ

There are 2 schools of thought. Built in doesnt add any extra apps, but is limited in function. Third party apps need to be installed but often can be more useful.

I prefer 3rd party app, and use Acronis. It can be scheduled, do files or folders, and is stable and fast.

Ask 10 ppl and you willo get 11 answers. My advice the best one is the one you will use.

If you backup you are ahead of more than 75% of ppl who dont.


Good luck

Ken

 

[pparks1]

The built in "system image" utility has never failed me. You just cannot restore it onto a smaller hard drive in the future...which usually only happens when people want to move to SSD drives.

With regards to backing up files and such, I use robocopy...which is a free command line utility. I simply use this tool to synchronize my data to 2 external hard drives on a weekly basis and then I keep 1 of the external USB drives offsite (in case of robbery, fire, etc). Robocopy only backs up files which have changed, so my backup jobs usually run for less than 2 minutes...so it's extremely quick and easy.

 

[Kari]

It seems I use exactly the same method than pparks. I use built-in backup to create system images, and do the rest with a robocopy batch.

I'm first to admit my way to do things is maybe not the best way to do things but I'll try to use Windows built-in apps and features as much as possible, using third party apps only when what I need is not possible with built-in tools. I have not encountered any bigger issues because of using Windows own tools; in fact all my rigs are working just fine, doing what I expect them to do.

Kari

 

[pparks1]

The thing that I really like about backing up with robocopy is that the files themselves are not contained within any type of "backup file" which requires some type of software to mount and use. With my method, I can plug into Windows, Linux, Mac and have access to each and every individual file.

 

[Kari]

To add to you comments, pparks, robocopy is also IMO the most versatile and flexible command. You can do marvels with it.

 

[PJStyles]

Are there any other programs that would allow me to backup the files in actual usable files without mounting issues? I like the idea of the actual file being available as opposed to having to go through some extra steps to restore them. However, using a command line program isn't what I'm looking for.

I was hoping for a more GUI interface to backup files. Would Acronis or any of the others provide the same functionality as Robocopy?

Thanks

PJStyles

 

[Kari]

Are there any other programs that would allow me to backup the files in actual usable files without mounting issues? I like the idea of the actual file being available as opposed to having to go through some extra steps to restore them. However, using a command line program isn't what I'm looking for.

I was hoping for a more GUI interface to backup files. Would Acronis or any of the others provide the same functionality as Robocopy?

Thanks

PJStyles

In my opinion you should at least consider doing some robocopy based batch files. It's quite easy and fast, you'll be surprised how powerful tool it is. This post shows you the robocopy command line options.

That said, I understand your point. I'm sometimes using a small utility Windows Double Explorer to backup files, when there's only a few files or folders to backup. It's not a backup tool per se but because of its flexibel double explorer workspace it's a practical tool to copy / backup some odd files and folders.

Kari

 

[PJStyles]

I also couldn't help but notice this comment in the Acronis True Image guide:

"An incremental or differential backup created after a disk is defragmented might be considerably larger than usual. This is because the defragmentation program changes file locations on the disk and the backups reflect these changes. Therefore, it is recommended that you re-create a full backup after disk defragmentation."

I understand why... but that would be silly for me since I have a weekly scheduled defrag each Sunday. What I'm looking for is simply to backup all my important files ie: Pictures, Videos, MP3's etc and then run a backup each week that will only update, store or re-write those files that changed or that have been added to the monitored folders. Any suggestions?

 

[MilesAhead]

afa the image backup goes.. before you depend on it, create the Restore CD and boot it. Does the restore program see your HD? If not, you can be stuck completely, or stuck with a super slow "compatibility mode" restore(meaning it can take 10 times longer than normal!)

The "best" image backup program is one you can boot the Restore CD and restore from at normal speed on your hardware.

afa backing up ordinary files, I often use FreeCommander. It has a directory Sync function where you can compare folders optionally including subfolders, and sync them in both directions. It's 32 bit but has a lot of nice features.

 

[pparks1]

Are there any other programs that would allow me to backup the files in actual usable files without mounting issues? I like the idea of the actual file being available as opposed to having to go through some extra steps to restore them. However, using a command line program isn't what I'm looking for.

I was hoping for a more GUI interface to backup files. Would Acronis or any of the others provide the same functionality as Robocopy?

Thanks

PJStyles

Look at either
1). Microsoft Sync Toy
2). Karen's file Replicator

Both utilize robocopy on the backside....but have a GUI interface to make it easier.


As far as a batch file goes at the command line, it's easy. Create a file with notepad, give it a .bat extension

robocopy C:\datafolder E:\backup\datafolder /MIR
robocopy C:\musicfolder E:\backups\musicfolder /MIR


Run the batch file. It does the directories recursively, so if you data is sorted out, you often only have to have a handful of these lines, one right after another to back up everything important.

 

[SIW2]

Karen's Replicator

 

[PJStyles]

Great point!! I've decided to just stick with the built-in Backup and Restore utility in Windows 7. I've created the boot disc and made my first full backup. Going to test the boot disc to see if I can see my USB Drive which is where I backed up my files.

Thanks

The "best" image backup program is one you can boot the Restore CD and restore from at normal speed on your hardware.

 

[PJStyles]

That's exactly what I was looking for. I suppose I wouldn't need to run a regular backup using the Backup and Restore if I'm using Microsoft Sync Toy since it will automatically copy files over that aren't on the backup drive ie: newly created/saved files?

1). Microsoft Sync Toy

 

[MilesAhead]

Great point!! I've decided to just stick with the built-in Backup and Restore utility in Windows 7. I've created the boot disc and made my first full backup. Going to test the boot disc to see if I can see my USB Drive which is where I backed up my files.

Thanks

Just about anything is going to be able to see the USB drive. The concern is seeing the system hard drive from the boot disc. As example, I was happily using Paragon Drive Backup making backups to my USB drive. Then I needed to do a restore. The restore program on the boot CD didn't recognize my HD controller since it's Raid. I had to restore at 1/10th speed.. meaning letting it run overnight for 9 hours.

 

[whs]

Did you have a close look at your Win7 image - there is no simple way you can mount it and pull off individual files. That is a major shortfall (besides all the other warstories we see regarding Win7 imaging). I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole (although I have tried it out).
A good imaging program should allow you to mount the images and see and do things with it. That is why I use free Macrium after I had used Norton Ghost for a long time and Paragon for a while. Macrium is the easiest, fastest and most transparent of them all - and it works every time.

 

[Kari]

Did you have a close look at your Win7 image - there is no way you can mount it and pull off individual files. That is a major shortfall (besides all the other warstories we see regarding Win7 imaging). I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole (although I have tried it out).
A good imaging program should allow you to mount the images and see and do things with it. That is why I use free Macrium after I had used Norton Ghost for a long time and Paragon for a while. Macrium is the easiest, fastest and most transparent of them all - and it works every time.

Here's Brink's tutorial how to do it with Disk Management, and my tutorial how to do it with Virtual PC. Both methods work with Windows Backup and Restore system images.

Kari

 

[whs]

Thanks Kari. I did not see those before. Quite a few hoops to jump for a simple operation. But at least, it seems to be possible - somehow. I correct: " There is no simple way..."