Best Backup software for windows thats easy to use

antc · 2 Jul 2016 at 18:34

Hi All,

I recently upgraded my parents pc to windows 10, all working very well indeed. However I need to organise a backup regime for the machine to backup things such as photos etc from their holidays and trips out.

I currently use a Mac and I use time machine and another bit of software called Chronosync where I create backup documents to automate the backup of photos, music, docs etc. This does a full backup initially and then only backs up changes I believe from the last full backup.

However, I am planning to move back to windows in the next couple of months as my Mac is ageing and I would like to be able to build a custom machine for my needs hence coming back to windows.

Can anyone help me out with whats best to use? I have been away from using a windows machine now for about 5 years.

Thanks in advance.

Philtor · 3 Jul 2016 at 09:21

AOMEI Backupper is very good. The standard edition is free.

tipes · 3 Jul 2016 at 10:28

I would suggest Macrium reflect - either the free edition or paid. It is excellent imaging software, but I believe it also allows you to just backup certain folders etc. Have a look see.

fezster · 3 Jul 2016 at 11:18

Use Windows built in File History. Point it to an external hard drive, or ideally a nas location, and it does the rest.

eggcup · 3 Jul 2016 at 12:32

Another vote for macrium here

lurkio · 3 Jul 2016 at 16:06

Acronis

antc · 4 Jul 2016 at 21:09

Thanks all for the suggestions so far, keep them coming if anyone has any more. Really appreciate it.

demonix · 5 Jul 2016 at 17:01

If you build a computer that has either seagate or western digital hard drives, you can use whatever companies version of Acronis relates to what hard drives you have installed.

jpaul · 5 Jul 2016 at 20:49

I had been using MS synctoy with win7 (and hope it will work with win10), which sounds similar to the MAC system you used,
backup is just a transparent copy which you can inspect, as opposed to any compression (not really relevant for videos/photos) or incremental back-up.
Important aspect is getting the throughput to the backup disk I used an esatap, but I guess that is bettered by usb3 or a networked NAS now.

IT Troll · 6 Jul 2016 at 13:44

Built-in File History is a great "set it and forget it" option. Once the initial backup is complete further incremental backups are very lightweight. As the name implies it is very easy to step back through historical versions. Ideal for files you are actively working on.

SyncToy (works fine on Windows 10) is also good for running adhoc backups / archives. It has both a user friendly GUI and a command line for use as a Scheduled Task. I use this periodically to dump my media files to external storage.

antc · 10 Jul 2016 at 11:02

Thanks again, lots of great suggestions.

beany_bot · 10 Jul 2016 at 11:19

I use Macrium Reflect Free. It seems great.

bledd · 10 Jul 2016 at 11:24

Robocopy /mir source destination

dmsims · 12 Jul 2016 at 11:07

I have used both Macrium Free and Paid versions

I would take these over Acronis anyday

tipes · 12 Jul 2016 at 12:23

dmsims said:
I have used both Macrium Free and Paid versions

I would take these over Acronis anyday

+1 - me too.

F2kSel · 14 Jul 2016 at 00:58

With Macrium Reflect Free can you save and then restore the OS to a different size drive/partition?

I know some do some don't.

eggcup · 14 Jul 2016 at 08:01

pepp77 · 14 Jul 2016 at 08:05

SyncBackFree will do what you want.

I use it to backup like this to my NAS. First backup is everything then after that it only copies changed/added files to the backup location.

JanxSpirit · 14 Jul 2016 at 12:48

If it's only specific folders you want to backup incrementally, Cobian Backup 11 mavity is highly flexible and rather spiffy for a freebie.

F2kSel · 14 Jul 2016 at 13:04

Thanks all, I'm going to try Macrium first, I all ready have Acronis (ver9 xp) but I don't think it plays well with W7 from what I've read.