User critiques of Win7 64 bit backup tools? Other options?

[ghoti]

Hello,

I am a new user of Windows 7, 64 bit Home edition. I would like to be able to do periodic backups (both data differential and full disk image) of my 1 TB (64 MB cache) C drive using an e-sata 1 TB external HD (with a 32 MB cache). I am concerned with not only HD failure, but also inadvertent deletion or corruption of a file or files, as well as malware infections so severe as to require a clean OS install.

What do those who have significant experience with the built-in backup tools that are included with Win 7 (64 bit) think of it?

If the included tools are not a good option, I would consider other not-too-expensive options, though I have read enough bad comments about Acronis TI 2011, that I don't think I'd go that route. I am no software wizard, and do not want to spend many hours diddling with it and figuring it out. I just want it to WORK!

Thanks for any help, suggestions, and comments!

 

[NAC]

Definitely a good idea to setup a backup program. I had a HD fail a while back, lost some of my data because I only did periodic manual backups. Since then, I've used Cobian. It is freeware. I was on 8, then 9, now version 10. I love that it is not proprietary - it just copies the files to the new location, but can do zip or 7z compression if desired. It seems fast, fairly simple but with a good amount of options - including full, differential & incremental. I feel very comfortable knowing that every day, every new file I create or modify is saved to a second hard drive. I still do occassional manual backups into a removable hard drive to store in my detached garage (call me crazy: afraid of fire or perhaps a bad lightning strike fries all the HD in the computer)

Note that regarding OS install - I keep all my data files on a separate partition from windows and program files. I just wipe out the OS partition and reinstall when I want. Backing up the files wont prevent the backup from getting a virus / malware infection in the backup files.

 

[yinan]

I use Acronis True Image Home 2011, seems pretty good.

 

[kamikazekyle]

Win7's built-in backup gets the job done pretty well, though it certainly doesn't have advanced features found in more robust packages. I've never attempted individual file restores, and I can't recall if it's possible. But it does both file-level backups and system images so you can restore in the event of a total system failure. I also stores multiple images/backups so you can restore a clean backup in case of malware. The whole package is about as dead simple as you can get (click backup, select stuff to back up and if you want a system image, select destination, set schedule) and only copies over changes after the first baseline (incremental).

Now, other non-native backup solutions can get more robust than the standard Windows 7 backup. On my 2008R2 AD server I use Windows' built-in backup for a system image and to natively back up the AD config for an easy restore, but use NovaStore to backup to tape and to provide backups to external drive for certain files and folders. I'm not a fan of NovaStore, really, but it's the cheapest option I found to replace NTBackup for tape support.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I'm a big fan of Macrium Reflect and they have a free version you can try out for imaging. I liked it so much that I ended up buying it.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

 

[Modelworks]

I'm a big fan of Macrium Reflect and they have a free version you can try out for imaging. I liked it so much that I ended up buying it.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Agree , it is a great non intrusive way to do backups.

 

[Zargon]

Ive used the built in, cobian, and acronis, all work pretty well

the windows built in system image is pretty awesome though

 

[gigahertz20]

Ive used the built in, cobian, and acronis, all work pretty well

the windows built in system image is pretty awesome though

The images Windows create are huge though, hardly does any compression the last time I checked. I've always been a fan of Acronis, I've read complaints about it before but every imaging program receives them. I've never done anything really advanced with it so maybe that is why I've never had trouble with anything, I just do full system backups here and there.

 

[homercles337]

I used the internal windows application to make a mirror fresh after install, then installed GFI Backup for incremental scheduled backups.

 

[lowrider69]

I used to use Norton Ghost for years and some other programs. Now I use the free Acronis True Image Western Digital edition since I have WD drives in my system. I have no complaints, never had an issue with it.

 

[wirednuts]

anyone know how to enable network backup with win7 home premium? only pro and ultimate versions do that, and its annoying.

otherwise i like windows 7 backup. it works and its easy.