Windows Backup Software

[thomase13]

Hello,

I'm looking for a new backup solution. I've been using the "ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery" program supplied with my IBM ThinkPad (my main computer at the moment. It is supposed to basically create disk images, but it is very flaky, poorly supported, and has completely stopped working as of late, i.e., it will not be able to complete a new backup even after leaving it overnight. I've looked at a few other disk imaging programs, but I wonder about peoples' experience with "NTBackup" (shipped standard with Windows NT until Vista). Does this really create a disk image? Does it matter? The "Automated System Recovery Wizard" sounds pretty swell. Is it all it's cracked up to be?
Alternatively, I was thinking of something like DriveImage XML.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Standard recommendations would be Macrium Reflect, Aomei Backupper, Acronis, and Paragon. Not sure if Paragon has anything free, but their stuff is generally good.

Some of the above will have more features than others, which you may or may not need----incrementals, differentials, file by file data backup, scheduling, etc. Macrium probably the most popular and it has a sane and understandable interface. There are free and paid versions. You can find a matrix explaining the differences between the paid and free versions on the Macrium web site.

 

[Eug]

Macrium refused to backup my win 7 install for some reason. Probably partially user error but the interface is kind of old school Windows too. That in itself isn't bad but it's also overly busy IMHO and sometimes that can be a bit overwhelming. It reminds me of the complexity of some versions of Nero.

Acronis True Image has a nice user friendly revamped UI for 2015 and was on sale locally so I bought that.

Both Macrium and Acronis fully support Windows 10.

Dunno about Macrium but I was a bit annoyed that Acronis installed a couple of services that are not necessary. I'll have to delete those.

 

[pcgeek11]

I like Macrium Reflect. Works great and is very fast.

 

[Oyeve]

I swear by Acronis. I use it to back up all my servers at work, I use it at home and I use it to to image new HDS.