Windows 7 Pro - Automatic schedule backups?

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

Soldato
Joined
15 Nov 2003
Posts
14,473
Location
Marlow
Setting up my mums machine which has Windows 7 Pro (64bit) on.

I want to backup her "My Documents" folder, which will also have here email (Outlook .pst file) in it too.

Can this be done easily/reliably in Windows 7?

If I just connect in a 32GB USB stick and ask it to backup to that every month?

And I assume to restoring any/all files is a doddle if something should go wrong?


I'd rather try and stick with Windows if it can do it.
 
NeilFawcett said:
Dropbox to automate a monthly backup of My Documents?
Click to expand...

not really. everything is done in real time. if you edit a file locally, it gets saved in the cloud immediately.

i don't really think it's the solution you're looking for because although you can restore accidentally modified/deleted files, it's more hassle than restoring from a USB stick or other local drive. i'd just do the backups manually using drag/drop.

dropbox/onedrive/etc is really more suited for syncing files across multiple machines rather than backups.

edit: it certainly wouldn't hurt to have dropbox in addition to other backups. i just wouldn't rely on it entirely.
 
Last edited:
marc2003 said:
not really. everything is done in real time. if you edit a file locally, it gets saved in the cloud immediately.

i don't really think it's the solution you're looking for because although you can restore accidentally modified/deleted files, it's more hassle than restoring from a USB stick or other local drive. i'd just do the backups manually using drag/drop.

dropbox/onedrive/etc is really more suited for syncing files across multiple machines rather than backups.

edit: it certainly wouldn't hurt to have dropbox in addition to other backups. i just wouldn't rely on it entirely.
Click to expand...

From memory, you cannot set your "My Documents" folder as your dropbox folder.

ie: Your dropbox folder is always "...../..../dropbox/" for starters?



I'm sure Windows 7 Pro has an automated/scheduled backup. So I'm hoping someone can simply comment on it?
 
If you really must sync files to a USB drive, AllWaySync is my preferred freeware. Can set schedules etc. Just don't forget to have the stick plugged in.

FWIW, you can change the target path of the My Documents folder from its properties dialogue, so yes, you can use Drophbox/One drive etc.

Backups are all well and good but are no substitute for good practice
 
Create a shortcut to 'My Documents' and then make the real My Documents inside the Dropbox folder.

Also, if it's going to be big files, Google Drive is better value for money for the 100GB
 
NeilFawcett said:
Setting up my mums machine which has Windows 7 Pro (64bit) on.

I want to backup her "My Documents" folder, which will also have here email (Outlook .pst file) in it too.

Can this be done easily/reliably in Windows 7?

If I just connect in a 32GB USB stick and ask it to backup to that every month?

And I assume to restoring any/all files is a doddle if something should go wrong?


I'd rather try and stick with Windows if it can do it.
Click to expand...

You could use the built in Windows backup?

Or if you want online backup then CrashPlan. $6 a month unlimited. I currently have 200GB sitting on there (basically all my unrecoverable stuff excluding media, I just have lists of my media so I can get it all again if something happens).
 
d_brennen said:
FWIW, you can change the target path of the My Documents folder from its properties dialogue, so yes, you can use Drophbox/One drive etc.
Click to expand...
Well now that's interesting!

My mothers documents (& Outlook .PST file) are only about 1gig! So if I sign her up for Dropbox (2.25GB), and put her "My Documents" in there, there will be more than enough room!

d_brennen said:
Backups are all well and good but are no substitute for good practice
Click to expand...
Indeed, and I'd suggest a constant backup is good practice! And so is the 6monthly complete drive backup I do too (stored off site)!
 
Craig321 said:
You could use the built in Windows backup?

Or if you want online backup then CrashPlan. $6 a month unlimited. I currently have 200GB sitting on there (basically all my unrecoverable stuff excluding media, I just have lists of my media so I can get it all again if something happens).
Click to expand...

CrashPlan Family looks a real bargain if a group (10) of you get togethor! A pound odd a month!
 
Last edited:
One drive is a no brainer over Dropbox. Iirc you get 7gb free and come the time she upgrades to Windows 8.x/9, the integration of the service will be even more closely tied to the OS
 
Craig321 said:
Even the standard account is a bargain :) Unlimited for £3.50ish a month
Click to expand...

Looking at some customer feedback, there's a number of users saying their data was lost! If you want a backup, you want it to be nigh on 100% reliable, else why bother? - You can see/watch reviews on Amazon!

So I'll continue to do what I'm doing now = 2 x 3TB drives, one at home and one at work, which than are alternated for 3 monthly full backups of all my machines!

I also have local USB drives that I run periodic quick backups to.

Main advantage is should I need the backup, I can get it immediately, and not over the course of a week or more.

Anyway, we digress :)
 
d_brennen said:
One drive is a no brainer over Dropbox. Iirc you get 7gb free and come the time she upgrades to Windows 8.x/9, the integration of the service will be even more closely tied to the OS
Click to expand...

OK! I'll take a look at it! Only thing in Dropbox's favour is it's what I use at home (about 5-6GB) so I can share a folder between us to get files between our machines.
 
Google Drive is 15GB. It's very important to have 3 copies of each file; original, local backup and offsite backup.
 
KIA said:
Google Drive is 15GB. It's very important to have 3 copies of each file; original, local backup and offsite backup.
Click to expand...

Bear in mind, that's shared across all your Google account so if you have lots of email or other stuff you're not going to have the full 15GB on Drive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom