Good Free Automatic Backup Program to a External HD, fo

[endoftheline2]

I'm looking for Good Free Automatic Backup Program that works on XP/Vista/Win7, that I will be able to configure on a standalone user's PC, and that can just make automatic backups of files (Like my documents user folders) to a External HD that will always be connected.

I'm trying to find something that is free, and robust enough to keep working on its own without needing any help, and the users will be less technical and will not be able to trouble shoot many backup issues.

 

[mxosder16]

Hi,

Maybe you could take a look here and see if it's what you want.

 

[SIW2]

For Free File and Folder backup , this is very well regarded:

Free backup software for Windows - GFI Backup Home Edition

For making backup images of the partitions - this is excellent:

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition

 

[polarbear]

Been testing Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition for the last 3 days. So far it has been great. GL

 

[Jester45]

well if you dont care about the programs/windows and just want to keep the media files safe i would use the powertoy synctoy

 

[Capella]

windows backup: use system image and schedule weekly backups.
Most integrated and best performance and not third party and FREE

 

[endoftheline2]

Thanks, the GFI home backup seems pretty good, I'm going to try it out. I've tried windows 7's built in utility and I don't like how it stores the backup's in some special file.

 

[MilesAhead]

Macrium Reflect free version may do this. I don't know much about the file backup side of it because I just use it for system image backup. But I believe even the free one comes in native 64 bit.

 

[SIW2]

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

New build - imaging only - no separate file/folder backup with the free version

 

[whs]

I am also a Free Macrium fan. Once you are backing up, why not backup the whole system. It's super easy and fast. Here are the instructions (setting up, scheduling and all). And the file part is recognizable.
But if you want to backup only your own data, I suggest you put it into a seperate data partition. That's a good and prudent idea in any case because then your data does not sink when the OS sinks. A data partition you can also backup with free Macrium. Here are my instructions (video) how to setup a seperate data partition.

 

[MilesAhead]

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

New build - imaging only - no separate file/folder backup with the free version

Hmmmmm, I have paid on one machine and free on the other. Guess I remembered the file folder backup from the paid one. Sorry for the misinformation. But even with only image backup you can mount an image file as a virtual read-only drive and copy files out of it. If your whole shooting match is on one partition then it acts as a complete backup. I know I tried the image mounting on the freebie so that does work.