Lightweight backup software for file level backup

[MustISO]

Looking for something to backup a Windows 7 machine to an internal and external HD. File level backup with full and incremental options.

I've used SyncBack in the past and it was decent, just looking for something very lightweight that can do file level backups.

 

[Cerb]

Looking for something to backup a Windows 7 machine to an internal and external HD. File level backup with full and incremental options.

You can have one or the other. Incremental and differential backups need additional information to function properly, unless no files are ever renamed, moved, or deleted. Renames and moves can be handled by added logic in the backup/sync program, but deletes require more than a file-based backup can do.

Rsync, Time Machine, and Windows 8's File History can offer some of what you're looking for, but of course none are in Windows 7.

Now, if you do only mean copying changed files, and not synchronizing deletions, moves, or renames (at least not guaranteed), then there are options that can just use loose files, including Create Synchronicity, and the ages-old Karen's Replicator.

I always seem to need it running as a service, so still use Cobian. While reliable, and offering CRC checks on what it does, it's flag-based handling of differential and incremental backups, instead of keeping a file attribute DB, makes them practically useless, so I would only recommend it for full backups, to run on schedule (not, "maybe on schedule, if someone is logged on"), and when having logs that can help troubleshoot problems arising later on would be nice to have.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have been using Free File Sync from Sourceforge.net without any problems.

 

[MichaelD]

http://www.dirsyncpro.org/

DirSync Pro has worked very well for me for years now. It sees any attached backup target; USB sticks, ext HDs, network shares...anything you see in My Computer, this sees. Works great and the entire program folder comes in at 3.4MB.

 

[cruelmelissa]

Have you considered Acronis True Image (http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/trueimage-family/index-3.html). The tool is light and flexible, and does full and incremental backup. The price depends on the number of workstations.

 

[MustISO]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used Acronis in the past, I think I still have the 2010 or 2011 version around here somewhere. I found it loaded a lot of additional services/processes even when it wasn't running.

DirSync looks interesting even if not for daily backup purposes.

I've used Cobian in the past and it also worked well for me, haven't looked at it in a few years.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Why not Windows' built in backup utility?

 

[Cerb]

Why not Windows' built in backup utility?

"file level backup," is right in the title...

 

[smangular]

How about Winzip? Solid Compression, Encryption, Full, Differential, Incremental Backups. Options to burn to Optical, copy to FTP, cloud and more.

http://www.winzip.com/wzfeatures-backup.html#sub-nav

 

[dave_the_nerd]

"file level backup," is right in the title...

You can select folders instead of doing an image. How is that not file level?

Or rsync.

 

[tweakboy]

Just use what MS gave you. gl

 

[MichaelD]

One of the main things I really like about DirSync is that when it's not running it doesn't load/use anything at all. It's a Java-based program. You start it up and by default it will use 512MB of memory. You can change how much memory it uses, but I have synched/backed up everything from 1GB to 2TB+ of data and never had a prob w/the default settings.

The program runs, it gives you a detailed report of every single action it executed. You can save the log, or just close the program and del the log. No muss, no fuss. Run program, close program with no "bad after-taste." It really has worked well for me.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used Acronis in the past, I think I still have the 2010 or 2011 version around here somewhere. I found it loaded a lot of additional services/processes even when it wasn't running.

DirSync looks interesting even if not for daily backup purposes.

I've used Cobian in the past and it also worked well for me, haven't looked at it in a few years.

 

[Cerb]

You can select folders instead of doing an image. How is that not file level?

It marginally can be, but is more of a PITA, that way, than using something else. Using a 3rd-party utility, you can tell it where to put the backups, then go find them easily, and not have to circumvent the OS to get to them, then browse a bunch of zips, if you don't want to. Just like the old Briefcase, and Homegroups, they took an OK concept, and then tried to have techie people dumb it down for end users.

 

[jkauff]

You might want to look at GoodSync (from the RoboForm folks). It's way more powerful, configurable, and reliable than the freeware alternatives I've tried. Among lots of other tasks, I'm using it to make copies of my Outlook files once an hour. If you want, it will keep older versions in a hidden folder it automatically creates within the target folder, which you can create purging rules for. Well worth the shareware price.

 

[Ratman6161]

Have you considered any of the cloud based backup services? I'm using Crash Plan but there are many others. Crash Plan lets me select an external drive, another computer on my network, and the cloud as targets. I use all three. Of course the big con is that it requires a subscription. But if my house burns down, my insurance will replace the PC and Crash Plan will restore my data from the cloud. But like I said, you have to pay. But when I think about how much of my life is stored as digital files, its worth it to me. Have to decide for yourself if its worth it to you. i have an unlimited plan but you can get cheaper options where you could choose to back up less - as in only the most critical stuff.

 

[MustISO]

Have you considered any of the cloud based backup services?

For our important files yes. I'm looking at the major services now and some of the smaller ones as well. This is really just so I can backup my data drive, I just hate installing some bloated piece of software with multiple services and processes. I'm gonna try a few on a VM and see which one does well.

 

[VeroK]

I've used SinckBack and it was painfully slow: 4-5 hrs to copy an initial full backup (~150 GB) via USB 2.0.
Are GoodSync or DirSync mentioned here a bit speedier?
One good thing about SincBack is that it allows to do file versioning: you can keep multiple version of a file as it is modified at different points in time...

 

[Essence_of_War]

4-5 hrs for 150 GB is not unreasonably slow for USB 2.0.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

4-5 hrs for 150 GB is not unreasonably slow for USB 2.0.

That's only 11MB/s. USB 2.0 can do up to 23-30MB/s in my experience.

 

[Texashiker]

What about ARCserve?

Anyone recommend it for this type of application?

 

[nickbits]

robocopy /mirror?