Windows Backup Software?
Issue 187; 18 Oct 2004; last modified 08 Oct 2010
, Anyone want to recommend a free Windows backup tool?
Deb’s XP laptop needs regular backing up. I’m doing a pretty slapdash job of it with xcopy onto a ZIP drive.
Anyone want to recommend a free Windows backup tool? I tried Abakt, but it crashes partway through the process.
Suggestions solicited.
Comments
You can try Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Backup. It is not the best backuping software on planet, but it can do backup. When you will start it it would complain about missing tape devices, but you can skip this message and you will get chance to backup any device that is connected to your computer and have its own drive letter -- be it network dribe or some USB storage, e.g.
You might want to take a look at Jonathan Schultz's Dirvish (www.dirvish.org). It's nothing more than a bunch of perl scripts that uses rsync. What's nice about it is that it is, for want of a better term, pull-based. That is, you run it on a server that pulls backups off of client machines.
I note in looking at their site that Jonathan died this summer. Unfortunate.
I use unison to backup/synchronise files between a Windows XP machine and two linux boxes. Back them up with your tool of choice from the linux box.
I use http://www.xellsoft.com/SynchronEX.html Not free, but low cost. Its compiled Python. Scheduled, picks up about 6 directories, creates up to n copies of the backup. Its incremental, I have it writing to CD-RW on my wifes machine. Flat backup, no compression, nice and simple. Just works. Script controlled, I use separate scripts in each directory. Includes and excludes etc etc. HTH DaveP
check the tools at www.nonags.com
It's all freeware
from nonags I found the free SyncBack v3.2.5. I have tried many programs. This one is rounded, powerful, and easy to use. does ftp backups, too.
I use ViceVersa. http://www.tgrmn.com Not free. But very effective.
The best free backup utility has to be SyncBack 3.2.8.300 from http://www.2brightsparks.com. With many great options this program is perfect for the novice and the expert alike. When a backup is scheduled this utility does a simulation run letting you know if your job will be successful.
I use Intuitive Backup on www.andovermicro.co.uk Also not free.
BTW, there is also a free version of ViceVersa at http://www.tgrmn.com/free/
Thanks to Jakub Brewinski for pointing me to syncback. This is really a neat program..
Martin Olesen
Synctoy from Microsoft works well, it might be of use to some.
I have used the PeerSync software in the past for backup of my files and folders. They have a free version of the software that you can download and test. I found this software very good, especially since it provides TRUE real-time continuous backup of files and it is unobtrusive, so I can continue working without even knowing that the software is doing its job :) It made me a very happy camper ;)
Windows Backup and Sync Software - PeerSync
Also I have used the Save-n-Sync software from them as well in the past.. also very good and cheaper (although with less features) File Sync Software - Save-N-Sync
I hope this helps :)