Free Windows backup software

michellez · 11 Mar 2011 at 22:41

Hi all

I've doing some research in to free Windows Backup software that will do incrementals, restore from a certain date, a shutdown when done, and back up to a network drive.

I have found the following. Does any one have any both good or bad opinions on any of them please? Or even other suggestions?

I just need it run, be reliable. This is not a site I will revisit much at all and it needs to 'just work' for the users.

I am not even sure the following even meet all my above requirements but do look promising. If any one can point out any issues/flaws with my needs and the software listed to save me time, please do say, it will be appreciated!

Set up is going to be 2 PCs and laptop. 1 PC will have a USB HDD plugged in that the backups will go on to from all 3 computers. USB hard drive will get rotated between 2 of them weekly and taken offsite.

- EASUS Todo Backup Home
http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software-features.htm

- Comodo Backup
http://backup.comodo.com/

- Paragon Backup & Recovery 2011
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/index.html

- FBackup
http://www.fbackup.com/

- GFI Backup
http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm

Thanks everyone

Michelle

SiriusB · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:08

I have heard good things about Commodo and Paragon, but I do not have any personal experience with them.

What is it you are wanting to backup specifically?

ShakenNstirred · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:25

i brought a clickfree drive
no software to install and you can connect it to as many pc`s as you like

pepp77 · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:29

I used Microsofts Synctoy on Windows 7 and find it perfect for my needs.

Credo · 12 Mar 2011 at 16:34

Windows 7 System Image and Robocopy is my preferred combo...

SiriusB · 12 Mar 2011 at 17:34

SyncToy has fallen out of favour on these forums as it has been known to cause major screw ups, resulting in loss of data.

For simple file syncing between two locations, I recommend either Robocopy or FreeFileSync.

For incremental backups - i.e. so you can roll back to a specific date - I use a combination of Macrium Reflect and robocopy [to backup the backups elsewhere!]. Macrium Reflect is not free if you want file and folder imaging.

If I were to pick from the list, I would go with Paragon.

liamcrane · 12 Mar 2011 at 19:52

As sirius above said^^^^^

Macrium is my 1st choice for backups its simply faultless and very user friendly, if you run it along side a nice simple robocopy or xcopy batch file for your important docs you cant go wrong.

If you was to need help creating a batch file there's plenty of people here who would be glad to give you a helping hand myself included