Backup Software

[ChrisCanada]

I have been looking around for a while for some good, simple backup software. I need something that's made for local backups, preferably that offers some form of quick compression. I don't need to make an image of the disc or have a backup I can recover the OS from, I am interested in the files only. I am writing ~2TB of Data to a 2TB external hard drive. It doesn't need to do it from a schedule or anything.

I have tried some software so far, but none of it has suited my needs. Windows backup won't recognize my external HD's, Toucan crashes like hell and Acebackup3 is slow as molasses.

 

[jmack_3]

Have you tried GFI? http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm

Joe...

 

[evilsofa]

I tried GFI Backup but didn't like it. After trying a few other free ones, Comodo Backup seemed to be the best of them. If you want to buy one, everyone says Acronis, but I haven't tried it.

 

[Lateralus]

SyncToy
PureSync
File Synchronizer
FreeFileSync
DirSyncPro
Synkron
WizardSync
BestSync
QuickShadow Backup

Yes, I have used most or all of those. FreeFileSync is probably the quickest at doing a comparison and works great. I've also had good luck with PureSync and DirSyncPro. A lot of people like SyncToy, but I'm not a huge fan of how it leaves database files in the folders that it analyzes.

 

[phide]

Cobian Backup.

 

[NeloDiavolo]

Acronis is decent. We used an older version at work but there is a newer version here:

http://http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

You can do Image or file backups.

 

[dbwillis]

I use kreplicator from karens power tools, free, easy to setup.
I use it to backup sections of my 1.5tb drive to a 750gb drive I take to work, and a 500gb drive I leave connected to the wifes laptop

 

[bigdogchris]

What I've been doing is I installed Allway Sync N Go external edition. I power up my external HDD and I bring up the window, sync files, then shut it down. No services or anything installed locally, it's all kept on the external HDD.

I'm also going to eventually get around to using Windows Live Mesh which does install a local service but lets you sync and store up to 5GB of data on Skydrive for free. It also gives you remote access to your home system. You get access to your system through either another computer with Mesh installed or through the Windows Live site. It's nice for people who's business filters remote access software like Logmein. No one is going to block Microsoft Live.

You should always have an online/off site back up of your data. Even an external HDD is not truly enough.

 

[dan_panner]

robocopy with /MIR option works great for me.

 

[bigdogchris]

robocopy with /MIR option works great for me.

Great advice.

 

[rinapu]

I have been looking around for a while for some good, simple backup software. I need something that's made for local backups, preferably that offers some form of quick compression. I don't need to make an image of the disc or have a backup I can recover the OS from, I am interested in the files only. I am writing ~2TB of Data to a 2TB external hard drive. It doesn't need to do it from a schedule or anything.

I have tried some software so far, but none of it has suited my needs. Windows backup won't recognize my external HD's, Toucan crashes like hell and Acebackup3 is slow as molasses.

Try Handy Backup, it's good backup software. I've used it for years and found it to be the most user friendly.

 

[AceXsmurF]

You could always try NovaBACKUP it does file backup, image backup, and straight file copy if you want to do that.
http://www.novastor.com/software/windows-backup.php

There are a ton of different backup software programs out there, try a couple and see which one fits your needs the best and is at the price you want to pay, be it free or otherwise.

Here is a page that lists and ranks 17 home user type backup software:
http://data-backup-software-review.toptenreviews.com/


Disclaimer, I work for NovaStor