Windows 10: Best backup program?

OP: Thank you all. Going with Macrium. I'll check the differences between free and paid versions.

 

FreeFileSync has its place, just watch out for the PUP within.

 

Agreed, additionally

Macrium - free

Acronis - not free


Need we say more?

 

Some backup software from disk manufacturers is 'free' and based on Acronis products so beware. One example is Acronis True Image WD Edition - see http://support.wdc.com/downloads.asp...dsfWDSmartWare

 

True - it is sometimes bundled free, but if OP had that, he would probably not be asking the question in the first place.

 

"or the free version with your eyes closed"

Thanks for your extensive reply. What do you mean by the phrase "with your eyes closed"?

 

what early versions are not compatible?? I am using Acronis 2011 to make backups. Only thing with Acronis 2011 is that the recovery disc does not support GPT (UEFI), for that a later version is needed....

Acronis TI, the latest versions, has a bunch of problems. Not with the backing up but with the restoring itself. I have had TI 2014 and restoring a drive is a nightmare. Don't know for sure but from what I hear that has not improved with the youngest versions...

 

Forget it. The Free version is perfectly acceptable for normal use. It is not permitted to use it in a commercial environment but works anyway but I do not encourage violation of agreement.

For domestic users, there is little need to buy the paid versions as most extra features are largely business orientated to network deployment, multiple pcs etc. I could go into a long explanation about incremental and differential backups but not here.

Suffice it to say they do similar, but diffs are less storage space efficient than incs (only in paid version). Diffs are more than good enough for average domestic user.

 

You might want to check to see if your 2011 version of Acronis software has installed low level filters / drivers. I found these were not uninstalled when I removed the Acronis software and had much 'fun' removing them.

 

Tell me more! Maybe start a separate thread so that we do not take away from this one *Smile

 

This should keep you busy for a while if you have the issue. See this thread and my Post 6 at http://www.eightforums.com/drivers-h...e-drivers.html

Please ensure you understand what you are doing and have a backup since it is possible to render your PC unbootable - thanks to Acronis sloppy software engineering.

 

Thank you. That is what I thought. Macrium are good people and I am using it now.

 

Reflect free is really good, but the paid version gives you several extra in my mind enhancements. I like doing incremental vs Differential backups. The incremental feature gives you some additional option for restoring, and I really like the batch feature. Instead running interactively, you just run one script cmd.

Oh and for RolandJS, removing Acronis is a B I T C H ! It did destroy my first pro build on this system after I found out I couldn't get it to use the W10 drivers for USB 3.0 & 3.1. It wouldn't boot after it got done cleaning up. Had to start fresh again.

 

OP:
I downloaded the latest free version of Macrium Reflect, v6.x. It actually now also includes differential backups (free version, not trial). So, for a home end user like myself, it really is all I would ever need. Thank you Macrium.

Being the cautious guy who was burned in the past I like to use 2 different backup tools and ext hard drives. That way at least one backup will restore successfully..... So in addition to Macrium Reflect I am thinking of also using free EasyUS. I did a trial backup in W10 with it and restored it successfully.

As for Acronis, I bought and used 2011, 2013 and 2014 years ago. I stopped after I had a couple of disasters with the last versions which in addition dropped long included capabilities.

Now that I moved to W10, I wasn't sure where things were as far as backup software. I'm glad it still is Macrium.

One final note, even after uninstalling Acronis, it still left items loading at bootup. Not wishing to risk deleting the wrong items in regedit, I used autostarts to disable all remaining (half a dozen) Acronis startup items. It's unbelievable that Acronis, which at one time had such a good reputation, would do such a horrible uninstall!

Thanks everyone for the help and advice.

 

You could run CCleaner and use the Registry option to check your register for errors, it might find those files and remove them for you. Its a VERY mild reg cleaner.
Also look in your Programs folder for any sign of Acronis in there. if found delete the folder.