Spec me some home backup software

spudbynight · 21 Mar 2016 at 14:46

I want to select from backup software for my machine at home.

What I want to be able to do is select various folders on my machine and back them up to an external HDD. Ideally I would like those folders to sync a la dropbox.

I need to be able to access those files without the software if I need to so just want them stored natively on the HDD.

Is there any free backup software that will do this? If not, what software should I go with. I've got the Seagate Backup+ software that came with the drive but it isn't up to scratch.

UnworthyBean · 21 Mar 2016 at 14:52

I've been using SyncBack (Pro) for as long as I can remember.

Loads of customisation so should be more than enough. Only problem is I can't remember whats included in the free version.

Looked for alternatives a few times (Not because it's rubbish, just to see if there is anything actually better) and just keep coming back to it.

Bantu · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:12

Crashplan is worth a look. The basic and free version allows backup to a local external source.

The one bit i don't know is if it stores them natively... i use it with full compression and encryption so definitely need to software to access it.

bledd · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:13

Depends how you want them backed up.

Do you want the whole folder saved into a zip file for example?

Or do you just want a 1:1 copy of that folder that you can refresh on an hourly/daily/weekly basis?

RockoSRI · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:14

Veeam Endpoint Backup is another suggestion?

spudbynight · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:38

bledd. said:
Depends how you want them backed up.

Do you want the whole folder saved into a zip file for example?

Or do you just want a 1:1 copy of that folder that you can refresh on an hourly/daily/weekly basis?

The second option.

CaptainCrash · 21 Mar 2016 at 17:06

FreeFileSync, does everything you want and then some.

GWillow · 21 Mar 2016 at 20:52

Cobian is pretty good

bad_ass_neil · 22 Mar 2016 at 09:15

as above veeam endpoint is good.

spudbynight · 22 Mar 2016 at 10:56

Installed Veeam endpoint - it seems to only save as an image file though?

bledd · 22 Mar 2016 at 22:23

robocopy /mir "c:\source folder" "x:\destination folder"

Raumarik · 23 Mar 2016 at 10:18

If you don't need native access - Crashplan (Free, dont' need to pay the subscription to backup locally).

If you do need native access - as bledd. has said. Robocopy will do it nicely without needing to add in additional complications.

spudbynight · 25 Mar 2016 at 14:47

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've actually been using Veeam endpoint for the last few days. I've played around and getting access to the data in the backups is OK for me.

Going to see how it works out.

pepp77 · 25 Mar 2016 at 15:04

UnworthyBean said:
I've been using SyncBack (Pro) for as long as I can remember.

Loads of customisation so should be more than enough. Only problem is I can't remember whats included in the free version.

Looked for alternatives a few times (Not because it's rubbish, just to see if there is anything actually better) and just keep coming back to it.

I use Syncbackfree - does nightly backups of folders to my NAS, then does another monthly backup to a separate drive. This just allows me to recover a file from 2 weeks ago if someone accidentally deletes it or edits it badly.