Local backup software

LzR · 16 May 2016 at 12:18

I'm looking for software which offers a local sync/backup feature, I do not need to use any cloud service. I want to plug a flash drive in, the software needs to detect that drive and automatically upload files that I have changed or added on my laptop to that drive. I do not need to clone a drive or partition or anything like that.

I've been dragging and dropping for years and it's just becoming tedious so basically I'd like to automate it, is there such a thing?

Thanks

Jay

Pho · 16 May 2016 at 14:37

You could use Robocopy which is built into Windows. Just drop this into a batch file or something. It will mirror everything in FolderToBackup to BackupDestination:

Code:

@echo off
robocopy "C:\FolderToBackup" "B:\BackupDestination" /MIR /MT /W:0 /R:0

Alternatively I use SyncBackPro to sync folders and drive-image backups off my server onto my offsite backup disks. There's a free version which will likely do what you need.

Admiral Huddy · 16 May 2016 at 14:40

I use SyncBackSE for my backups but the free edition is more than ample for home use.. I use it to mirror a data partition automatically to an internal backup drive every day, then a none auto profile for an external drive.

fBackup is another which is just as good...

LzR · 16 May 2016 at 17:23

I hadn't heard of any of those so thank you, downloading both and will give them a whirl to see which one I prefer.

Jay

OspreyO · 16 May 2016 at 18:02

I use freefilesync, but theres nasty adware in the free version. So I registered to avoid that.

I like the look of Robocopy. I see theres a few GUI's for that. Must play with the options.

I always plan to write my own one, but never do. I run into a problem with external discs and windows timestamps. The backup software often thinks files have changed when they haven't which is a problem for big files as it takes ages sync when theres no need. I'd like software that recognises when something is the same file just renamed. That would be a bit time saver. I suppose I should switch between file size and time stamps when comparing.