Backup Program for Windows

[MMiz]

Is there any program that will automatically copy x documents / programs from one hard drive and back them up to another?

I want to copy My Documents from my C Drive to a backup hard drive on a weekly basis, and it would be even great if it was done automatically.

Thanks :)

[xAngelx]

You didn't say what windows OS you are using. But if you are using windows XP there is a backup/recovery wizard that lets you do just that.

Just open the control panel and click on "performance and maintenance". On the list that comes up there is the option (4th one down) of "Back up your data".

That will open the wizard. You can then pick either from a pre determined list of file groupings or select the option to choose your own files/folders. Then you can select the destination.

It can either do the backup manually or schedule it to do it automatically when you want it to.

[markblair]

If you decide to use something other than what's in Windows, I highly recommend a program called Second Copy (http://www.secondcopy.com/). This will do everything you asked for and more. You can set a schedule and have the program backup files/directories with no intervention. Also, you can compress the backups, send them to a CDRW drive and more. Check them out...

[Chicken]

I use SyncBack (Freeware Version)
http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html

[Robert]

I have XP Pro and I use the built in backup Utility built in XP an it works great.

Every morning at 9:30AM it backups the files/folders I have selected to a Exteral USB Drive (160GB). Every month I make a CD/DVD Copy of that bakcup and store it. So at the end of the year, I will have 12 copies, 1 for each month.

Each backup is differential. So it only backsup what has changed/added. The first backup was a complete backup.

[alex042]

I don't see performance and monitoring with xp home so maybe thats just a pro thing?

I've also tried second copy as well as a few other freebies and even spent all that money on norton ghost but ended up going with the free version of syncback also.

[Nick]

Hi,

I think it is a Pro thing.

I've seen some external hard drives that backup differentially when you press a button on them. Can't remember the manufacturer, but I've been thinking of getting one myself.

[tranz]

Yeah, but the one thing people dont think about is the restore. It seems that all that comes to mind is the backup portion. Without a solid restore solution the "backup" means nothing if you cant get it out all in one piece.

[LetsFly]

Ghost 9.0 has a automated backup system available

[hostsforsale]

I used the latest version of Ghost last friday to copy over a hardrive with Windows 2000 to a new hardrive and it worked perfectly. The only problem I noticed was that it did not copy over any shared folders to the new drive.

[alex042]

The issue I have with Ghost is that it's a backup program not a sync program so it basically lumps all files into a proprietary file whereas a sync program syncs file by file. I don't want to have to have Ghost installed somewhere else just to recover my files, but maybe some people have different requirements and this may not be an issue.

[Kwak]

I also use the backup feature in XP pro.
I am eyeing on the external harddrive with the one touch button for archive purpose.

[webas]

They have also good backup programms, but not for free.
http://www.genie-soft.com/

[markblair]

They have also good backup programms, but not for free.
http://www.genie-soft.com/ I've been using Genie Backup Manager for awhile now and I agree that the software is really good. You can backup to another part of your hard drive, to external media such as CD+R discs or to network drives. Set a schedule and it'll do the backup for you. This is definitely a good option for those that aren't worried about spending a few dollars for such a program. :)

[Serverextreme]

You didn't say what windows OS you are using. But if you are using windows XP there is a backup/recovery wizard that lets you do just that.

Just open the control panel and click on "performance and maintenance". On the list that comes up there is the option (4th one down) of "Back up your data".

That will open the wizard. You can then pick either from a pre determined list of file groupings or select the option to choose your own files/folders. Then you can select the destination.

It can either do the backup manually or schedule it to do it automatically when you want it to.

XP user here, I tryed following your instructions on backups but when I goto
my control panel there is no ("performance and maintenance") that I can see
must be a XPro thing.

The only thing I can see are the programs am I missing something?
I alos tryed clicking on the start menu but can't seem to fine these
features.

Thanks for any help on this

[alex042]

XP user here, I tryed following your instructions on backups but when I goto my control panel there is no ("performance and maintenance") that I can see must be a XPro thing.
I dont think this is available in xp home, but should be in xp pro or 2000 pro.

[::Quick::]

The backup feature is intergrated into XP Pro under accessories and system tools.