Best program for specific file/folder backups?

[nibunnoichi]

I'm looking to finally get a backup software to protect important (but specific) files and folders in my PC. I'm not looking to backup my entire system, making images, etc.

Basically I have a bunch of folders in my PC drives that I would like to occasionally backup, into an external USB 3.0 drive. The backup mirrors all the subfolders and files of the source, at every time the backup is run. And the backup folder on the external drive must be the same basic Windows folders and files - NOT compressed in any way, and especially not in any proprietary format. So that I can take the USB drive to another computer, plug it in, and use those folders and files normally.

(I was looking at Acronis True Image, but it seems they break this basic rule)

So for example, I have a folder in my PC drive called [VIPData], it contains a bunch of subfolders and files file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt etc

I want to schedule so that the mirror folder on the USB drive makes a full copy of [VIPData] on the 1st run, and then run update backups every week, every month, or every 2 months.

If I happen to delete things in [VIPData], the next backup run will reflect those deletions.

Basically, I only want to keep 1 mirror copy alive at any time, not having multiple copies of the same source folder build up in my USB drive.

The default software that came with my drive (WD Smartware) doesn't do things right when I delete files from the original folder. It keeps all old files.

Any recommendations?

[jhansman]

Acronis True Image Home gives you every option you need to backup; folders, files, email, drive image, you name it. Well worth the cost.

[nibunnoichi]

Originally Posted by jhansman

Acronis True Image Home gives you every option you need to backup; folders, files, email, drive image, you name it. Well worth the cost.

I specifically ruled that one out because backups are stored in a proprietary archive file type (tif or something). So if I make a backup, and then plug my usb drive into another computer, I can't see the files in the backup.

Or am I wrong about that?

[kleinkinstein]

The free version of SyncBack is all you need. Pick either the installer or portable.

[Dstoop]

If you're running windows 7 or 8, the built in Backup and Recovery can do exactly this, cant it?

[smakme7757]

Syncback Free/SE/Pro

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbpro.html

Choose the file/folder - Choose the destination - set a schedule - all done.

Very powerful software.

Originally Posted by nibunnoichi

I specifically ruled that one out because backups are stored in a proprietary archive file type (tif or something). So if I make a backup, and then plug my usb drive into another computer, I can't see the files in the backup.

Or am I wrong about that?

You're right.

I only use it for imaging, Syncback is better for file/folder backups.

[sathyan]

For folders and files,I use synctoy from Microsoft.it gives a few options like sync, echo, and contribute for the copy.

[pcunite]

I've been using FileBackupEX, it's not out of beta yet, but I like the GUI.

[sm625]

what is wrong with xcopy?

[takeru]

why not robocopy?