Simple Backup Software for >1 HDD Copies

Mulder · 2 Oct 2017 at 10:16

I've been using Windows backup and restore for a while but it seems to struggle if you want to backup the same data to more than one hard drive. It doesn't remember where you left off if you swap HDD's and always wants to start the whole backup again (meaning it takes hours rather than just adding any additional files). I have a bunch of files (~2TB) I want to regularly backup to 2 different HDD's (i.e. the same data copied twice).

Anyone know any easy to use freeware that I could use?

Thanks

Mulder · 5 Oct 2017 at 14:13

Thanks for the replies. The system is still using Windows 7 I believe and it's just folders of various different types of files.

Looks like you have to pay for Acronis. Is robocopy hard to use for a beginner? I'm not that tech savvy and this is for a relative who is even less so!

Mulder · 4 Nov 2017 at 18:17

Thanks for all the replies, have tried a few of the programs listed and think I prefer Macrium Reflect.

Noob question, but is there any reason to be worried about the backup format being specific to one program? For some reason I expected it to be in native file format, so you don't need to "restore" using a specific program. Guess I'm being paranoid, but if in 3, 5 years or so you're still reliant on the program to get your files back.

Mulder · 4 Nov 2017 at 20:05

Does Syncback do incremental only backups? i.e. it figures out what's been added/changes and just applies that to the backup rather than copying everything over again. I'd be OK paying for a version that does this, seems impossible to find any decent freeware that'll do it.

Mulder · 4 Nov 2017 at 20:19

Minstadave said:
Synctoy does incremental copies from 1HDD to as many as you want. I use it to copy my photos to an external drive and my server aswell.

Free too.

Think it would have any issues with just under 4TB of files? Have tried copying and pasting it and something would usually go wrong.

Mulder · 4 Nov 2017 at 20:20

UnworthyBean said:
Yep, does incremental backups. Got mine to backup and then delete after 180 days if they're deleted from the source drive although you can just keep them forever if you really wanted. Plenty of options.

Can't actually remember what the free vs pro actually offers but I'm fairly sure most of the decent options are in the free version.

Cool thanks will check it out.