Poll on Backup software


Which imaging program do you use for backups?


  • Total voters
    348
/MIR = mirror the folders, as the data I want are in the source folder
/XX = If there are any files in the destination folder that haven't been backed up (like Junctions, remember in the backup command we used /XJ to exclude junctions), don't touch them, I.e. don't delete them
It is astonishing (to me) that these broadly defined switches (/XJ in backup mode and /XX in restore mode) work so accurately, right down to individual files. I wonder if these switches have been purposely designed to work in such a complementary go-and-return fashion in robocopy?

It may or may not have any bearing on the issue, but I notice in the other thread that you don't use the /B switch in backup mode, can I ask why?
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
Macrium for System images, rsync with it's GUI GRSYNC for data backup (from NAS to external devices). If I need to clone a disk or copy a specific partition I simply use Linux DD comand from any Linux live distro as I don't need to worry about format, file system, gpt flags etc or anything else - DD just copies byte for byte by reading physical data irrespective of file system. Disadvantage of this though is that any errors are propagated (whether physical disk errors or corrupted data) and there's no compression etc so could take longer (probably will) than classic disk cloning via systems like macrium. DD though as stated does not depend on any file system whateever.

Whatever system you use always have backups even if its only copies via file explorer. And for those using NAS systems - don't forget those should be backed up regularly too.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
It may or may not have any bearing on the issue, but I notice in the other thread that you don't use the /B switch in backup mode, can I ask why?
As far as I know /B is to overcome ACL (permission) issues.
Starting with the fact that I always run robocopy as Administrator, plus that I don't want to copy any System or TrustedInstaller owned files I figured that I didn't need it. It turned out, over the years I use it, that I don't need it.
I would guess that it won't hurt if you use it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Precision 3560
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 (Tiger Lake)
    Motherboard
    DELL 004N73 / UEFI Ver. 1.18.1
    Memory
    SK Hynix 16GB DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel® iRIS® Xe Graphics / NVIDIA T500 2GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 IPS
    Hard Drives
    Internal: KIOXIA BG4 Series 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
    External: 2 x WD Passport 2TB USB 3.0, 1 x Toshiba 500GB USB 3.0
    Keyboard
    Standard laptop backlit keyboard with numeric keypad
    Mouse
    hp wheel mouse
    Browser
    MS Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    MS Windows Defender
    Other Info
    DELL USB slim Optical Drive DW316
    Macrium Reflect v8 (backup and.... lifesaver)
As far as I know /B is to overcome ACL (permission) issues.
Starting with the fact that I always run robocopy as Administrator, plus that I don't want to copy any System or TrustedInstaller owned files I figured that I didn't need it. It turned out, over the years I use it, that I don't need it.
I would guess that it won't hurt if you use it.
The 'do not want to copy system files' would probably be important for data migration from an old W10 computer to a new W11 computer.

How suitable is robocopy for data migration?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
The 'do not want to copy system files' would probably be important for data migration from an old W10 computer to a new W11 computer.

How suitable is robocopy for data migration?
I'd say more than suitable. That's how I migrated all my data from my old laptop to the new one, without any problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Precision 3560
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 (Tiger Lake)
    Motherboard
    DELL 004N73 / UEFI Ver. 1.18.1
    Memory
    SK Hynix 16GB DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel® iRIS® Xe Graphics / NVIDIA T500 2GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 IPS
    Hard Drives
    Internal: KIOXIA BG4 Series 512 GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
    External: 2 x WD Passport 2TB USB 3.0, 1 x Toshiba 500GB USB 3.0
    Keyboard
    Standard laptop backlit keyboard with numeric keypad
    Mouse
    hp wheel mouse
    Browser
    MS Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    MS Windows Defender
    Other Info
    DELL USB slim Optical Drive DW316
    Macrium Reflect v8 (backup and.... lifesaver)
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
Before, I don't have a backup solution. Now, I have 3 backup solutions:
1 - Robocopy (I forgot to click Other on the poll) - 2 times per day
2 - EaseUS Todo Backup [Home Edition Lifetime License], thanks @z3r010 for hooking me up a key. - Monthly
3 - Drive for Desktop's built in File backup (again, I forgot to click Other on the poll) - immediately

I save it on my Workspace Google Drive (until I have a reliable hard drive), using Drive for Desktop. Except for the EaseUS backups.

I backup my D Drive, twice (using Robocopy, EaseUS Todo), also backuped up my Chromes User folder once (I don't want to login to my 4 Google Accounts, ElevenForum account and wait for the 2FA email (I leave it on for you guessed it, Security), TwelveForums account and wait again for my 2FA email, TenForums account and many more), my Win11CompChk Alpha files, 3 times (because I don't want it to lose, like my prototype WinNTweaker lost because of a dead hard drive)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    EndeavourOS, Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom PC
    CPU
    Core i5 8400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B360M-HD3
    Memory
    8gb DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    some generic 1080p 75hz monitor * 2
    Screen Resolution
    1080p * 2
    Hard Drives
    GIGABYTE NVMe SSD 256GB (GP-GSM2NE3256GNTD)
    Internet Speed
    200MBit/s
    Antivirus
    WD
I am currently using FreeFileSync to backup my data / docs. I did install a free version of Macrium, but I have yet to try it. I think my new laptop has a basic restore file so I'm not in a hurry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 5410
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-11320H @ up to 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Present
    Memory
    16GB, 2x8GB, DDR4, 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 24mh (ext), 14.0-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe BC711_NVMe SK hynix
    Backups - 500GB SimpleDrive (ext), WD 750GB (ext)
    Case
    Slim
    Cooling
    Kootek Cooling Pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360 (ext)
    Mouse
    Logitech 510
    Internet Speed
    941.93
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
Long way from Zip Zilla!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Motherboard
    MSI ACE X570
    Memory
    64 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 1080 ti
    Sound Card
    mother board sound hooked into a crazy home theater
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia 65 inch
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    2 each Samsung 980 pro gen 4 NVMe, 2 ea Corsair MP600 gen 4 NVMe, 2 each Western Digital SN850 NVMe, 1 Samsung 970 NVMe on a PCIe adapter, 2ea Samsung 860 SSD, all drives are 2 TB, a few spare spinners for back ups.
    PSU
    Coolermaster 1000
    Case
    Coolermaster 932
    Cooling
    Seagrams VO
    Keyboard
    mx5500
    Mouse
    Razor
    Antivirus
    Raid
I didn't see Image for Windows mentioned. Terabyte Unlimited makes excellent products, been using them for 10+ years.

For file-based backups, SyncBackPro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
I didn't see Image for Windows mentioned. Terabyte Unlimited makes excellent products, been using them for 10+ years.

For file-based backups, SyncBackPro.
I've been using TeraByte Unlimited Image For Windows for years. I've never had a failed restoration.
I've also used its various other tools that come with TeraByte Drive Image Backup and Restore Suite. There are some powerful utilities in the bundle.

For file backups, I use Bvckup 2. It is simple, light and extremely fast.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stigg's Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10900X
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
    Memory
    Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata V2
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M GM501GS
    CPU
    Core i7-8750H
    Motherboard
    Zephyrus M GM501GS
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 16 GB DDR4-2666 DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC294
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics B156HAN07.1 [15.6" LCD]
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZVKW512HMJP-00000 512 GB, PCI-E 3.0 x4
    Samsung SSD 860 QVO 4TB 4 TB, SATA-III
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Keyboard
    PC/AT Enhanced PS2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    USB2.0 HD UVC Webcam
I didn't see Image for Windows mentioned. Terabyte Unlimited makes excellent products, been using them for 10+ years.

For file-based backups, SyncBackPro.
I'll take a look at that, although, I have had the same outcome with Acronis True Image, "never mention here" I have never had one issue with Acronis. Funny thing is, if you search imaging or backup software, Acronis is usually the best choice, or minimal second best, also you can back up to the cloud with Acronis, I don't know of any other products that offer this. Maybe folks are just looking for free backup software is why Macrium, how can you not put a price value on any of these backup products? I backup every week, and Acronis is easy, fast and works for me, of course all this is just my opinion. (y)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise, 11 Pro, Win LTSB Enterprise, Win LTSC, Win 10 Pro Win 7 Pro.
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware PC
    CPU
    Intel i7 4790K
    Motherboard
    ASROCK Z97 EXTREME4
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG UE57 Series 28-Inch 4K UHD
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2
    PSU
    EVGA 850 watt
    Case
    Alienware Area 51 Black Tower Case
    Keyboard
    HyperX - Alloy Elite 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.2 GHz
    Browser
    Chrome
I'll take a look at that, although, I have had the same outcome with Acronis True Image, "never mention here" I have never had one issue with Acronis. Funny thing is, if you search imaging or backup software, Acronis is usually the best choice, or minimal second best, also you can back up to the cloud with Acronis, I don't know of any other products that offer this. Maybe folks are just looking for free backup software is why Macrium, how can you not put a price value on any of these backup products? I backup every week, and Acronis is easy, fast and works for me, of course all this is just my opinion. (y)
Its all kind of bovine excrement really.

It is not what tool one uses, but the fact that a tool is being used.

I unashamedly endorse Macrium Reflect Free as

(a) proven to be reliable
(b) meets most people's needs
(c) free.

However, a lot here will probably use Easeus following the generous handout of the Pro version free.

It certainly meets (b) and (c) above (I reserve judgement on (a) untill we get feedback from these new users).

With regard to Acronis (and paid versions of other players), people have to judge for themselves if the (additional) benefit is worth the cost. For majority, the free versions are adequate for their needs.

By far the bigger concern, based on my own experiences, is that outside the sort of people on these forums, very few even know about image backups rather than actually doing them. I would be amazed if this was more than 10%.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise, 11 Pro, Win LTSB Enterprise, Win LTSC, Win 10 Pro Win 7 Pro.
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware PC
    CPU
    Intel i7 4790K
    Motherboard
    ASROCK Z97 EXTREME4
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG UE57 Series 28-Inch 4K UHD
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2
    PSU
    EVGA 850 watt
    Case
    Alienware Area 51 Black Tower Case
    Keyboard
    HyperX - Alloy Elite 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.2 GHz
    Browser
    Chrome
Currently I am using Gs Richcopy 360 , It is a kind of robust backup tool , run it and forget
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hp Notebook
About all the backup hoopla ... amazingly loud and everlasting bovine farts ... if only the average user would simply copy their most important data on a USB stick!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
About all the backup hoopla ... amazingly loud and everlasting bovine farts ... if only the average user would simply copy their most important data on a USB stick!
Yep. What I find interesting is making backups is age related. Older people are generally more fastidious (grew up with less reliable devices and/or bitten up the bum at some point).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
My OSs and data are on different partitions / drives.
This are my OSs:
- Win 7 HP (my main OS) + Lubuntu on a 128G M.2 drive.
- Win 10 or Win 11 on a 256G SATA 2.5" SSD
- Win 7 HP (backup) on a 1T HDD

My main Data drive is a 1T HDD

For the OSs I have two full images:
- Fresh install (OS + basic software) - Just after install
- Last full image (updated every 3 months)

Every Friday I attach the power cable to the 1T backup HDD and boot from it.
The Win 7 HP backup has all tools for maintenance and backup but not all software s of the main drive.
For backup I use two tools:
- ViceVersaPro (File Synchronization, File Replication, File Backup and File Comparison) that I use to replicate (clone) all D:\User\Luiz folder from my data drive to the backup drive.
I also use ViceVersaPro to synchronize my desktop data with my laptop using a LAN connection
- Macrium Reflect to generate full OS drive images

I used to have Acronis True Image Home 2014 Premium but I replaced with with Macrium Reflect full version that I bought last Black Friday by half the price.

Another good image software is O&O DiskImage
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64 - Windows 11 Pro - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 7 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    350 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
We had a poll several years back, and no prizes for guessing which app had over 67% for tenforums user?
Interesting to see main leader still 2/3rds of forum readers favourite.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

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