Advice Request How to backup for newbies...

[lovehungryman]

Hello MT users and staff! Happy 2023!

First of, I have not been the type of person that uses backups as a way of keeping my PC safe (I know, I should). Until now, I have mostly clean-installed windows about every 6 months to have a fresh start, (files and more stuff I move to another external drive when/if need to). We have a desktop pc for all family members ( 3 of us as regular users) each with own login profiles, settings, files, games, etc. but it is becoming cumbersome to set the PC up and running time and time again. That is why I need advice as I have seen/read on internet that start backing up and do full system images backups might be a good option but since I am not used to, I don't know how to start.

Note: I have used control settings restore option sometimes before.
-Windows own options are good enough or better look for other software?
-Full back ups, restore points or system images?
-How often?
-Do it on an external/internal drive?
-Drive has to be attached to computer at all times, if so, what about if ransomware or other infection occur, does the backup drive also get infected?
Since there are lots of programs around, I would prefer something easier and free to use for time being (I don't mind paying but I'd like to test beforehand).
Any more advice about how to go about I'll appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[silversurfer]

First of all, Happy New Year!

Most important: A full system backup software what is known to be reliable like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper. Just make sure to store all on external drive.
For your other data like personal documents, videos or music files. I can recommend: FreeFileSync or you easier choose something like Microsoft OneDrive.

 

[pxxb1]

Hello MT users and staff! Happy 2023!

First of, I have not been the type of person that uses backups as a way of keeping my PC safe (I know, I should). Until now, I have mostly clean-installed windows about every 6 months to have a fresh start, (files and more stuff I move to another external drive when/if need to). We have a desktop pc for all family members ( 3 of us as regular users) each with own login profiles, settings, files, games, etc. but it is becoming cumbersome to set the PC up and running time and time again. That is why I need advice as I have seen/read on internet that start backing up and do full system images backups might be a good option but since I am not used to, I don't know how to start.

Note: I have used control settings restore option sometimes before.
-Windows own options are good enough or better look for other software?
-Full back ups, restore points or system images?
-How often?
-Do it on an external/internal drive?
-Drive has to be attached to computer at all times, if so, what about if ransomware or other infection occur, does the backup drive also get infected?
Since there are lots of programs around, I would prefer something easier and free to use for time being (I don't mind paying but I'd like to test beforehand).
Any more advice about how to go about I'll appreciate it.

Thanks!

A good practice is to backup whenever there is a change to the Pc that you want to save, and if it is something one does not want to loose, do it external, also. The external media should not be connected to the Pc all the time out of security reasons.

Keep notes of the changes/backups so you know what`s been backed up. Then you know what you are going back to, and what you are missing out.

Windows own backup functions, system image and restore points, are not reliable enough so disregard them.

Many will tell you that Aomei and EaseUS free versions are good but, many have the opposite experience so that tells you that they probably is not reliable enough. Which i can witness about.

Paragon, Lazesoft, Qiling, O&O and Ashampoo backup have free good backup programs. Hasleo is an upcomer that is getting popular and reliable.

One of the most reliable free backup programs there is, Macrium Reflect, is going to be discontinued in 2024-01, so if you want one of the best, buy its Home version.

Doing system images saves one from a lot of problems and makes Windows easier to live with since it can be a problem, to often. But less now with W11 to my experience.



A tip; after you have done a fresh install with all the settings, no programs just a finished install before the personal programs, do a external backup. That image is your, "to go to" image when you think about doing a fresh install. Such an image saves you a ton of work. The one i have i go back to now and then just to update it with Windows updates, then i go back to where i came from.

Oh, if you have an Ms account, maybe also One Drive, that makes it easier to use Windows since all your settings and such are saved with the use of it. So no more cumbersome work.

 

[Stopspying]

I've been a long time user of Macrium Reflect and really like it but its worth pointing out that their free version will be retired as of Jan 1 2024

Depreciated - Macrium Reflect Free Product - End Of Life

The free version was probably too good & discouraged users to stay free rather than buying the pay version. I think that the pay version gives you updates after the first year & the only thing you lose is (never used) support - For me the most valuable program I have & for me worth buying - I do...

malwaretips.com

Elsewhere on MT there is a current thread about Hasleo backup suitethat may be worth a read. I've not used it though -

Serious Discussion - Hasleo Backup Suite 3.0 launches with file backups and other improvements

Hasleo Backup Suite 3.0 https://www.easyuefi.com/backup-software/backup-suite-free.html Hasleo Backup Suite 3.0 is the latest version of the free backup solution for Windows, which I reviewed back in mid-2021 for the first time. Just like previous versions, Hasleo Backup Suite is compatible...

malwaretips.com

AOMEI Backupper has been offered regularly for free over the last few years,This is often linked to on MT. It is a reliable product IMO.

As for the MS OS options, System Restore might bale you out, but I have seen restore points disappear after OS updates, so I don't rely on it.

 

[Ivy_Diaz]

Overall, it depends on what you want to backup and this is a list of recommended Image, backup & sync tools :

> Acronis True Image - PAID
> AOMEI Backupper Standard Edition - Free Backup Software for Windows - FREE
> Drive SnapShot - Disk Image Backup for Windows and PE. - TRIAL
> EaseUS ToDo Backup - FREE
> FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization & Backup Software - FREE
> Hasleo Backup Suite - FREE [ Newly Released Software - NOT a lot known ]
> Karen's Replicator - Backup Utility - FREE
> Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition - FREE
> NovaBackup - PAID
> O&O DiskImage 15 Professional Edition - PAID - See
> Paragon Backup & Recovery - FREE
> Second Copy Automatic Backup Software - PAID
> SyncBackFree: Backup and Synchronization Software - FREE
> Goodsync- Backup & Sync- PAID
> GS RichCopy 360 - Backup & Sync- PAID
> SyncToy - MS archives- FREE
> Resilio - Backup & Sync- PAID

And Happy New Year

 

[Stopspying]

Overall, it depends on what you want to backup and this is a list of recommended Image, backup & sync tools :

> Acronis True Image - PAID
> AOMEI Backupper Standard Edition - Free Backup Software for Windows - FREE
> Drive SnapShot - Disk Image Backup for Windows and PE. - TRIAL
> EaseUS ToDo Backup - FREE
> FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization & Backup Software - FREE
> Hasleo Backup Suite - FREE [ Newly Released Software - NOT a lot known ]
> Karen's Replicator - Backup Utility - FREE
> Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition - FREE
> NovaBackup - PAID
> O&O DiskImage 15 Professional Edition - PAID - See
> Paragon Backup & Recovery - FREE
> Second Copy Automatic Backup Software - PAID
> SyncBackFree: Backup and Synchronization Software - FREE
> Goodsync- Backup & Sync- PAID
> GS RichCopy 360 - Backup & Sync- PAID
> SyncToy - MS archives- FREE
> Resilio - Backup & Sync- PAID

And Happy New Year

Of this list Pro versions of AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS ToDo Backup, O&O DiskImage and GoodSync appear from time to time on some of the better known 'giveaway' sites quite frequently

 

[Ivy_Diaz]

Of this list Pro versions of AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS ToDo Backup, O&O DiskImage and GoodSync appear from time to time on some of the better known 'giveaway' sites quite frequently

You are right, and also Resilio Sync, Gs Richcopy 360, and Acronis are great and work out of the box too.
And as I said before, it depends on what he wants to backup !

 

[lovehungryman]

Good points which I have placed into consideration. I might decide over and try some out. Just one more thing, if I backup (full, incremental, image, etc.), what happens to the one before? I mean, does override itself onto the other or it deletes it? I guess it keeps copies until drive runs out space. How often should I delete old backups especially regular backups (full backups and system images I guess can be kept longer). I hope not to sound too illiterate though . Once I get used to I'll realize that it was easier and smoother than I previously thought.
I'll keep you posted of progress. Thanks again!

 

[CyberTech]

Thoughts on R-Driver image?

 

[pxxb1]

Good points which I have placed into consideration. I might decide over and try some out. Just one more thing, if I backup (full, incremental, image, etc.), what happens to the one before? I mean, does override itself onto the other or it deletes it? I guess it keeps copies until drive runs out space. How often should I delete old backups especially regular backups (full backups and system images I guess can be kept longer). I hope not to sound too illiterate though . Once I get used to I'll realize that it was easier and smoother than I previously thought.
I'll keep you posted of progress. Thanks again!

The first full does not change at all, it is the stable data for every backup thereafter. The changes you have done since the first, are saved on each specific inc(remental) or diff(erential) you do. Over and over. For inc:s, for each specificly, for diff:s, cumulative for each.

The handling of space and the deleting is different for each back up program so i can not say something about that but the usual is that it erases the 1 full, totally, then the 2, etc. Automatic consolidation exists also, so a whole chain becomes 1 image with all in one, so to speak. Old backups can be deleted when you know they are not valid, important anymore, so basicly it is up to you.

Personally i save backup chains internally for 3-4 months then i move a chain or just the full to external storage and save a couple of more months. The external storing has saved me sometimes when i have been able to go back to a specific image to solve a problem that has lingered on in the internal but where not present on a really old one. But that is not so important if you have the before mentioned "to go to" backup to build from in a case like that, which often is easier then rearrange an old backup of the system. Dependent on how much you have to reinstall of course.

This practise is for the system, Os, and all important data.
A good policy to have, basic thinking, is; how would it be if i lost this. The answer to that tells you how important it is to back it up, and at how many places.