Best backup software for windows 7

Stercus Accidit

On another thread Todo backup was recomended to me, but I see that windows 7 has a backup function too, but does not include system files?

I want to if possible create a hard disk that in case of a severe hdd corruption on my pc, I can restore directly from it ALL my files and settings. I am talking OS and registry as well as my files.

Is this different from what the windows built in back-up offers? Am I far better off with third party software? What are the variations of backups and their benefits?

Thanks guys!

Torqay

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

I see that windows 7 has a backup function too, but does not include system files?

No it doesn't.

Other free programs are Clonezilla and DriveImage XML but ToDo Backup the most userfriendly of the lot.

Commercial alternatives: Drive Snapshot and Symantec Ghost (not to be confused with the utterly useless Norton Ghost, which is an entirely different program, based on the old PowerQuest PartitionMagic).

_AVALANCHE_

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

On another thread Todo backup was recomended to me, but I see that windows 7 has a backup function too, but does not include system files?

I want to if possible create a hard disk that in case of a severe hdd corruption on my pc, I can restore directly from it ALL my files and settings. I am talking OS and registry as well as my files.

Is this different from what the windows built in back-up offers? Am I far better off with third party software? What are the variations of backups and their benefits?

Thanks guys!

Windows backup is an underpowered flawed dog, you could be missing drivers, partition letters could be messed up, files may not open. Mess.

EaseUS is top dog at the minute, I'd only use it for OS though, files I'd move to an external myself.

Few others

http://www.acronis.com/ (paid)
http://clonezilla.org/

yoyo

In fairness Windows Backup only backs up your files, not settings. I would reccomend Clonezilla though, this will allow you create a full image of the drive, making restoring simple enough.

Nick

Stercus Accidit

Would I be able to do incremental back-ups with a full image though? Things like small changes without needing to do a full re-write?

yoyo

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Would I be able to do incremental back-ups with a full image though? Things like small changes without needing to do a full re-write?

Nope, re-imaging must do a new image of the disc each time. I've no expierience with EasUS but Avalanche suggests it so I would go try it out.

Nick

_AVALANCHE_

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Would I be able to do incremental back-ups with a full image though? Things like small changes without needing to do a full re-write?

The WD MY Book Essential comes with WD Smartware (User Manual) that may back up everything the way you want, I know it does automatic backups of changes to music, movies, photos, documents, e-mail, not sure about the OS though.

About Backing Up Your Computer Files
The WD SmartWare software automatically and continuously backs up all of your important data files to the My Book drive—music, movies, photos, documents, e-mail and other files.

Note: One installation of the WD SmartWare software supports up to three
backup drives that are configured with WD SmartWare software.

After the WD SmartWare software categorizes the different types of files on the selected hard drive, clicking the Start Backup button backs all of them up.

Or you can select specific types of files to back up.

If your computer has more than one hard drive, you must select and back up each one to protect all of the data files on your computer.

After performing a backup, the WD SmartWare software protects your files by backing
up any:
• New file that is created on or copied to your hard drive
• Existing file that is changed in any way
This protection is automatic—the WD SmartWare software does it for you without any action on your part—just make sure to leave your My Book drive connected to your computer.

Note: Automatic backup protection is continuous for as long as your My Book drive is connected to your computer. Then, whenever you disconnect and reconnect the drive to your computer, the WD SmartWare software
rescans your computer for new or changed files and resumes automatic,
continuous backup as before.

Additionally, the Backup screen (see Figure 10 on page 17) provides:

• Content Gauges for your computer’s hard drives, so you can see the number of files and the storage size for each content category

• A Detailed View content box that you can use to select specific categories of files or folders to back up, with an Apply Changes button for implementing your selections

• Start Backup and Stop Backup buttons for controlling backups

I actually have one but the first thing I did was wipe it as I just wanted the space. LOL.

kippy

All versions of Windows 7 have a feature whereby you can create a system image.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Back-up-your-programs-system-settings-and-files
Negating the need for the majority of the third party tools mentioned here.
You would also need to create a system repair disk to make the most of this, both very straight forward.


The integrated backup software with Win 7 is also perfectly adequate for backing up your personal documents and files.


Other integrated tools within windows 7 such as system restore and previous versions have tended to reduce the issues that would require you do need a system image or restore files however you still do need to have a backup of some description.

Then theres always the basic but powerful tools mentioned here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/72902-good-backup-policy.html

Torqay

WD Smartware??? Are you serious?

maki

If you want a complete backup of absolutely everything on the drive, why not try a RAID1 setup? If your motherboard supports it of course.

_AVALANCHE_

Torqay wrote: »

WD Smartware??? Are you serious?

Is it that bad?

Torqay

_AVALANCHE_ wrote: »

Is it that bad?

In a word, yes.

When buying a new WD drive, make sure autoplay is knocked off before you connect it (or hold the shift key).

Torqay

I'm using Symantec Ghost for drive images (Drive Snapshot for Linux system) and Comodo Backup for the "incremental stuff" (some older version, before they went all "cloudy").

Gadgetman496

ACRONIS for Disk image

Allway Sync for everything else

Both programs do an excellent job & have never let me down.


There's a good article HERE: too.

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