Windows 10: Best backup program?

What is the most dependable backup program for Windows 10?
I need to backup to an external usb encrypted drive. I need to be able to restore both the system and individual files.
Thanks.

:)

 

BEST PRACTICES - BACKUPS

@bulldog

The system repair disc--at least in windows 7--is a bootable disc that you use when you are unable to boot from the system hard drive and you want to restore a system image. "repair disc" is what the windows documentation calls it and, yes IMHO, that is
a misnomer.

 

BEST PRACTICES - BACKUPS

I personally do not have a system repair disc; instead I make images (like you.) Why make repairs if I can just go back in time?

I make images and folder backups daily, overnight. I don't think that's excessive, especially since they happen while I'm sleeping. I also use third-party software for these jobs.

If I know I'll be making big changes to my system I always make a manual image before I start. And if I know I'll be making big changes to an important file I'll make a backup copy of the file before I start.

Since I make daily folder backups I don't see any reason for file history. If I want more frequent backups (i.e., more frequent than once a day) I can setup an incremental backup schedule.

Some people want to save a version of their work every time they make a change. I personally have no need for that, but it's a big world and if that's what you want, turn on File History.

Considering how convenient and powerful third-party backup software is, and how easy it is to make backups, there's really no good reason for not doing it. I don't think you can ever have too many backups. Better too many than too few. You'll never be sorry
for backing up.

Just as important as making backups is where you store them. You want them to be stored in several places so, for example, if my house burns down all my most important and precious data is safe on Google Drive (oops, sorry Microsoft.)

 

Macrium Software
*Smile

 

I've used macrium in the past and it is excellent, but in Windows 10, although it sees the USB drive, it does not the TrueCrypt encrypted volumes on it mounted as drives. So I can't use it.

Acronis TI can see these mounted volumes but the early versions are not compatible with W10 and I've heard bad things about its recent versions.

 

Reflect is the way to go. I've used Acronis TI for years, but their latest are versions are spotty at best. I had an extra lic for TI 2015. I just built a new PC and installed W10 pro on it. I installed TI 2015, it worked backing up under W10, but both their Linux and WinPE recovery disks would not recognize any USB 3.0 external disks on this machine. Linux really crashed and WinPE never seen them and reason being they use the Windows 8 SDK to build the PE disk. I couldn't get it with out alot of extra work to recognize the W10 SDK, which has the necessary drivers.

So I tested Reflect, built the recover WinPE disk, and restored was able to recover my system. I have hence purchased Macrum Reflect.

 

You might also want to ask your question to several possible backup/restore vendors' sales and technical staff - specifically mentioning any/all encryption in place.

 

Thank you all. I'll work with Macrium support and support them because they deserve it.

 

I back up my entire LAN using a paid product called Retrospect. It's kind of industrial strength, so it may be exactly what you want or it could be massive overkill. Retrospect: Backup Software for Small Businesses. Look for the Professional version, not any of the server versions that are really aimed at businesses.

 

The two program i like most is Acronis True Image and EaseUS Todo Backup.
You're able to backup the files of your choice or make a complete image backup of your whole PC, saving it to places like an FTP server or external hard drive with Acronis.
EaseUS Todo Backup is also as a nice choice, it is easy to use because of the built-in wizard that walks you through the steps of creating a backup job, it can backup individual files and/or whole folders to and from a location on a local drive or network folder, as well as save backups to a free cloud storage service.

 

Yes to Macrium Reflect Free *Smile No to poorly engineered Acronis products *Sad

 

-1 to Acronis. I know they were very popular years ago, so I bought their Disk Director Home 11. It worked well enough, but the OS Selector feature trashed some of my drives. Then recently I tried to convert some primary partitions to logical. Acronis borked.

So I used MiniTool Partition Wizard Free. Worked like a charm.

 

Over the years I've used Acronis, Shadow Protect, EaseUS & Macrium Reflect. Acronis is buggy. EaseUS has a pretty UI but I wouldn't bet on it.

In my case only 2 backup programs have stood the test of time i.e. Shadow Protect Desktop and Macrium Reflect Pro/Home. Shadow Protect is comparatively expensive @ nearly $100 a license. While Macrium is $69 per license and 139.9 for the 4 license home use/"family"pack

Also, Macrium has the ability for the user to deactivate/reactivate at will (prior to a fresh install of Windows for example. SP has a deactivation limit after which you need to contact their Support for help. SP is more focussed on enterprise customers than individuals.

Go with Macrium Reflect Home (I have the home pack) or the free version with your eyes closed. I've been using it for over 4 years now and it's NEVER let me down.

 

Hi,

+1 For Macrium Reflect free. Never fails and if it should fail, check your hardware first.

Yes, it is free.

Cheers, *Wink

 

I use Free File Sync (it's free/donation) for my personal files (Documents, Pictures etc.). Easy to set up and use. Reliable and customisable. It is possible to create a single setting for the entire contents of a drive to be backed up to an external USB drive in one operation, but it can also backup single folders. One rare feature is the ability to allow disc names such as "Backup-01" (rather than drive letters) to be used. This gets over the crazy way Windows shuffles drive letters around, which could be disastrous for a backup program.

I tried Acronis but its manual did not correspond with what my monitor was showing. Also complex to use.

I use Windows Backup and Restore routine to backup the System, and make a System Image, every day. Making a Recovery Drive is also an other good way to re-install Windows when (like many people these days) you don't have a standalone installer for it.

FreeFileSync - Free Backup and File Synchronization Software