Automatic Backup Software

Shane732

I'm surprised there isn't more on this topic. I've done a search and haven't been able to find a whole lot on it.

Anyway basically, a friend of mine who isn't the most computer literate person in the world wants some sort of software that will handle automated back-ups of a Windows XP system to an external hard drive.

His PC is a pretty basic set-up and mainly holds documents and excel spreadsheets etc... There's no large media files or anything like that.

I'm hoping that some of you might be able to recommend a software package that run automatic backups for him. Ideally I'd like to get him something that will just either:

(a) automatically back-up his whole internal hard drive, or
(b) something that I'll set up to go a layer down and auto backup his documents and other files.

Ideally free would be preferable.

Cheers.

Rebel021

You have to buy it but acronis is 1 of the best out there
http://www.acronis.com/
You'll find a few free options here
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

Capt'n Midnight

Two options
backup the whole drive, slow (FULL)
or backup the changed files since last full backup, slow the first time, then fast after that (DIFFERENTIAL)


many external drives come with one touch backup software

robocopy is also good for copying changed files


ntbackup can backup your system (ASR feature is not in windows Home :eek: )

deceit

This might be helpful as its really easy to use, Microsoft Sync Toy:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

polyfusion

I had the same requirement for my parents PC, and have http://www.rdcomp.net/ezbackitup/ set up for that purpose - I tried a few, and this was easily the easiest to get to grips with. Very easy to set up and use, small download and footprint, and free.

Viper_JB

deceit wrote: »

This might be helpful as its really easy to use, Microsoft Sync Toy:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

Agree - free, easy to setup - will work with a hard drive you may already have.

softdancomputer

...or use XP backup...