Poll on Backup software

Hi,
I love these threads
Seems like they popup every month like clock work
Free reflect
Winpe recovery media mostly is all I use not the reflect in the os winpe is more reliable.

ThrashZone said:

Seems like they popup every month like clock work

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True, but the subject is only tedious for those of us who have our own software preference and have read all the similar posts that came before. I feel it's good the subject be approached on a regular basis. If the recurring threads encourage just ONE person to use some sort of backup solution, it's a win.

It's looking like an average of 80% using Macrium and 20% using various other programs so far. Although not that exact as some people are using more than one program. Just so I can quote statistics in future lol. I know Macrium is very popular but was aware some used other programs as well. I quite like EaseUS as it's simple, but last time it displayed weirdly after an update. I will admit to sometimes using the Windows one as well, and sometimes macrium. My stepson won't let me use anything other than the Windows one as he doesn't want me putting any programs on his PC!

It's a compromise between not having a stroppy teenager and not having a worse stroppy teenager if he loses his install.

Kudos for adding a poll something that most threads about this topic lack

My desktop computer has 3 physical drives, a 120g SSD system drive, a 2tb HD data drive, and a 2tb backup HD drive.

I use Easeus Todo Backup to backup my system drive on my desktop computer. It is scheduled at 4AM each morning and makes a full backup once every 7 days with incremental backups in between to the backup drive.

I use FreeFileSync to backup my data (music, photos, docs, email, etc) one for one to the backup drive at 5AM and another run with just some selected folders (email and docs) at 1PM also to the backup drive. Once backup'd, it only copies the new or changed files.

Both programs are great and fast. If I need to restore I have 7 days back to choose from.

Since my computer is a desktop, it is either on or in sleep mode, so it wakes up to run the backups. My plan works perfect.

I would be curious what laptop users do as far as automated plans go?

CornishRattler said:

2024 Completely Free Windows Backup Software for Windows 11/10/8/7 - Hasleo Backup Suite Free

Hasleo Backup Suite Free is a completely free Windows backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server that can help you back up and restore the Windows OSs, disks, partitions and files(folders) to protect the security of your Windows and personal data.

www.easyuefi.com

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Hazel123 said:

Not heard of that one before. Sounds good. Free as well. How do you find it?

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Originally found it on Major Geeks. No bad for a system back-up app.

No not softpidia

Isn't Softpedia different to Major Geeks? Is Major Geeks a safe download? I think I got Paint.net from there. I like the program but hard to find a good place to download it. Their own site is a bit bleugh and doesn't even link to a download any more - tries to get you to pay for the app instead.

GCG1000 said:

Download Hasleo Backup Suite 2.9.0

Download Hasleo Backup Suite - This straightforward software solution helps you create backups of your operating system's files and user-selected disks or partitions

www.softpedia.com

Originally found it on Major Geeks. No bad for a system back-up app.

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I just seen that program here and thought I would try it. It installed, but wouldn't start. It also wouldn't uninstall. I got it from the program's site.

I didn't have a good feeling with it after that, so I put my Todo backup SD Card in, and restored from my latest backup. Took about 20 minutes and I am back from before I tried Hasleo.

This is the first restore I did since using Bitlocker to encrypt my C drive. Everything went as it used to except when I was restored, my C drive was no longer encrypted. It took about a minute and a reboot to re-encrypt it. I have been using Todo backup for about 10 years and it never failed me.

Hollywood said:

as far as automated plans go

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I have a desktop and the laptop users probably either work from the cloud or do what I do...full backups only. I don't like incrementals or differentials. Why bother with them since my entire PC will backup in 12 minutes and I can browse a backup if I accidentally delete a file i need. I think most folks here rely on full backups.

K, I've never used a backup program.
What should I use and where's a complete tutorial on it?

Besides Macrium Reflect v8, for regular system images, I have created a Robocopy script, for fast backup of my data files.
Depending on the work done, sometimes I run it more than 2-3 times a day. It's fast and accurate and works great alongside with the respective Robocopy restore script!

I only do file backups and for that I use Robocopy. I figure if I get to the point where I need to restore OS and programs, it's probably a good time for a format & reinstall with current versions.

glockster said:

I only do file backups and for that I use Robocopy. I figure if I get to the point where I need to restore OS and programs, it's probably a good time for a format & reinstall with current versions.

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As we are both on the Robocopy path, and I definitely respect your choice, allow me to tell you that creating a quick incremental system image (I use Macrium Reflect), before updating a device driver or applying a faulty/buggy Windows Update has saved my a..... several times!

Edwin said:

K, I've never used a backup program.
What should I use and where's a complete tutorial on it?

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The programs are not too hard. You install it and set it to make a backup of what ever you want. Most people would choose their system drive (C and any other small partitions on that drive). Then you choose to back it up manually or by a schedule. Most programs have advanced settings like only full backups or full and incremental backups. Incremental backups go fast as they only backup the files that changed since the last backup. You should backup to a drive other then the one you are backing up, it could be a separate internal drive or an external drive. Often the backup will be compressed, so the backup drive may not have to be as big as the original.

The assumption is that you are doing a restore because your main drive is unbootable, so you would have to make a rescue disc or memory card (in advance). The disc or card would boot to the backup program and you would then point to the backup you created and proceed to restore.

If you made incremental backups, you could choose the latest or go back a few in case you think you think you got a virus before your latest backup.

The concept is mostly the same with all programs but many users are loyal to the company they feel most comfortable with. Each program will be a bit different and you might not get how it works or why it is doing something until you use it a few times. I like Todo,, but I see others like different programs. I suggest you try a few and make some backups, and also make some bootable memory cards or chips to see how they work and make sure you can point to your backup. You can test them without committing to a restore, but you will get an idea if you like the program.

You might have to go into your motherboard's bios to tell it to boot from a CD or memory card or stick when you do a restore.

I hope this helps.

ddelo said:

As we are both on the Robocopy path, and I definitely respect your choice, allow me to tell you that creating a quick incremental system image (I use Macrium Reflect), before updating a device driver or applying a faulty/buggy Windows Update has saved my a..... several times!

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Yeah, I've been bitten a couple of times myself. I just like the fact that by reinstalling, I'm getting rid of all the cruft that builds-up over time.

Edwin said:

I've never used a backup program.
What should I use and where's a complete tutorial on it?

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There's a discussion at
my ditty - File backup vs imaging, imaging utilities, backing up drivers [post #3] - TenForums
that includes links to several system imaging utilities.

If I was only just starting to do system imaging, I'd choose Macrium Reflect.

All the best,
Denis

The problem with polls here is they are rather preaching to the converted i.e. the vast majority of users here will use image backup software. I would hazard a guess at over 85-90% of users.

However, I seriously doubt that in "Joe Public" world, the figure is even as high as 20%, and I would hazard a guess even lower say 10%. I have no evidence other than personal experience with friends, family etc. What is even more concerning is how few of them even back up critical data.

I have been using Easeus Todo for around 8 years now.

glockster said:

Yeah, I've been bitten a couple of times myself. I just like the fact that by reinstalling, I'm getting rid of all the cruft that builds-up over time.

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I really can't remember when I last did a clean install. Must be years.