Folder backup question without backup software

[slicksilver]

This is the scenario :

I have a folder C:\Data which I'd like to backup as a compressed rar file (filename should have a timestamp) onto an external USB drive. Is it possible to do this in a single click? I mean the users of the computers are not savvy and the most I can ask them to do is double a click. I would like to know how to do this with WinRAR. Need to do this operation on a daily basis on 10 different computers. Only C:\Data will be backed up.

Is this possible without a backup software?

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[pcgeek11]

You should be able to right click the folder and select add to Archive or Add to "Folder Name".rar.

Give it a go.

The same hold true for Winzip also for creating zip files.

 

[Emulex]

yah its called command line. bat file - i do it every night - you have to be careful about bumping into older version 255 char limits on filenames (including paths) when recursing

better yet - free 7zip - just as good and freeware. Winrar is mostly warez community - just sayin' .

 

[pcgeek11]

Winrar is mostly warez community - just sayin' .

Really? News to me.

 

[ocsid80]

Create a batch file, put it on the desktop and use
the Winrar command line utility to backup the directory.

The batch file should look like:

"c:\program files\winrar\rar" a -r archive_name.rar <Directory Name>