Windows 8.1 - Still schedule your full system backups?

NessPJ

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Hey guys,

As many of you may have noticed that compared to Windows 8, Microsoft has removed the 'Windows 7 File recovery' software in Windows 8.1 and renamed it to 'System Image Backup'.
The major letdown for this tool is (imo), that its no longer possible to easily schedule your backup tasks this way.
On the other hand i really like how i will be able to execute my backup needs using Windows only tools (also as i have a few years of experience with both Acronis and Symantec, but even after intensively using and suggesting features over at the Acronis website/forums the company just won't listen to its customers).

Now i found this article online that will still let you set up a scheduled task for backups in Windows 8.1:
How to schedule a Windows 8.1 System Image backup (step-by-step) ? Pureinfotech

Very interesting and even though i can dissect the given command lines etc., i still think you could obtain much more usability if all of the options available to you were actually presented in a GUI or whatnot.

Does anyone know if such a 3rd party tool excists? Come to think of it, seeing as the output would simply be the creation of a task from the powershell command line or altering an excisting Windows task, im thinking this type of tool would not even be hard to make.

Anyhow, apart from the above question, what i would like to achieve is the following:
My backup folder is in: E:\Backup\
Monday: Full system image from my C:\ drive + Seperate Full system image from my D:\ drive
Wednesday: Incremental image with changes of my C:\ drive + Seperate Incremental image with changes of my D:\ drive
Friday: Incremental image with changes of my C:\ drive + Seperate Incremental image with changes of my D:\ drive
Sunday: Move all of the images to my E:\Backup\Archive\ folder
Have this schedule repeat on a weekly basis (i will manually review and delete the images in my archive folder....this method is simply to prevent having no image at all when the backup task on Monday crashes or the PC is interrupted during that time).

Does anyone know if this would be possible?

Yes, i know i have done this in the past using Acronis but their scheduler is:
A. Resource hogging
B. Simply does not work and save the configuration exactly the way i want it to (Acronis 2014 is even worse then Acronis 2010 which i was using before).

I hope this topic will share some nice backup experiences/configurations people have and/or inform people about the off-the-shelf possibilities Windows 8.1 already has. :)
 

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With the removal of Windows 7 File recovery AND "Windows Easy Transfer" they have basically slit our throats if we depended on those to make backups.

Acronis True Image is the one I used to use, it may be what we have to use in 8.1. But I agree, it gobbles up huge amounts of system resources. But several people have found other alternatives, search the board with "Advanced Search" and you can find them.
 

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Wow so they totally removed this feature i wonder i this is a good time for me to switch over to my Nero backitup program that i never have used?.
 

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I would suggest you look into Macrium Reflect it seems to be the first one to figure out how to restore a UEIF GPT disk Image accurately. I have just started with them on this notebook due to the fact that Acronis has been unresponsive as to solving this issue of restoring a UEIF GPT disk Image. i have found Reflect tech support excellent and they are responsive. I most likely will move my WS's back up schemes over as I gain confidence in the product.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
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    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
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    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
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    Z97 Pro
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    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
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    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
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    1080
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    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
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    30 down 3 up
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    Explorer 11
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    NIS and Malwarebytes
yeah i own the full version of nero pro with backitup so i would rather not buy other software, anyone ever use nero 12 backitup?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Myself
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A-G45
    Memory
    8 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Sync Master s27B550
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB internal driver and one 1TB external drive.
    PSU
    Antec NeoECO 620 watt
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    Norton 360 from comcast
And scheduling is sooo easy in Macrium (free). Just right click on the definition xml.

2013-12-01_2256.png
 

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well here is a picture of nero backitup looks pretty simple what yeah think. picture of nero.png
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A-G45
    Memory
    8 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Sync Master s27B550
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB internal driver and one 1TB external drive.
    PSU
    Antec NeoECO 620 watt
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    custom case
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    Fans
    Keyboard
    steelseries apex
    Mouse
    stellseris sensel
    Internet Speed
    Unknowen
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    Google chrome
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    Norton 360 from comcast
Try it. The key though is, restore it. Is everything the same? If so then you have a good backup program.
Does it have it's own scheduler?
 

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    Windows 10 Pro X64
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    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
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    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
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    Lenovo
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    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
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    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
yeah i think so i have not turned it on yet to see but in the help file it list schedule and stuff
 

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    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A-G45
    Memory
    8 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Sync Master s27B550
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB internal driver and one 1TB external drive.
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    Antec NeoECO 620 watt
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    custom case
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    Fans
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    steelseries apex
    Mouse
    stellseris sensel
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Thanks for all the replies so far people.

Try it. The key though is, restore it. Is everything the same? If so then you have a good backup program.
Does it have it's own scheduler?

Yeah that is probably the most important argument one can make (and i do have to admit, its a nice Acronis feature to be able to convert images to Windows images back and forth).
Looking at the current usage of SSD's though, the correct recovery of an image is probably the most valid point to judge a good backup solution (also taking alignment into account).

--

i just came across this article today:
Acronis Press Center: latest press releases and media contact information
(Acronis 2014 obtained Windows 8.1 certification).
Maybe i should be a bit more forgiving and give them another try?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD7-TH
    Memory
    2 x 4GB G-Skill RipjawsX 1600 MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS IceQ R9 290X (LC)
    Sound Card
    RME Babyface Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell U2412M 24" WUXGA
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    1 x Intel SSD750 PCI-e NVMe SSD 400GB
    4 x Sandisk Ultra Extreme 2 120GB SSD in RAID0,
    2 x Seagate ST4000VN000 4TB in RAID1
    PSU
    Seasonic X-850
    Case
    Lian Li PC-A61 USB 3.0
    Cooling
    CoolIT Vantage PRO
    Keyboard
    Logitech G710+
    Mouse
    Logitech G302 Daedalus
    Internet Speed
    90 Mbit DSL
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    It flies. :)
yeah i own the full version of nero pro with backitup so i would rather not buy other software, anyone ever use nero 12 backitup?

I would verify that it is UEIF GPT compliant!! not Compatible, Complaint, Verify that you will be able to restore a GPT Disk Image, very few back up programs at this time are capable of accomplish this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
yeah i own the full version of nero pro with backitup so i would rather not buy other software, anyone ever use nero 12 backitup?

I would verify that it is UEIF GPT compliant!! not Compatible, Complaint, Verify that you will be able to restore a GPT Disk Image, very few back up programs at this time are capable of accomplish this.

With Windows 8.1 support.
Paragon 14, Out November 2013.
Hard Disk Manager Suite ? complete system management | PARAGON Software Group - disk partitioning, resize partition
or
SSR Desktop Edition, Out Febebery 2014.
 

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Thanks for all the replies so far people.

Try it. The key though is, restore it. Is everything the same? If so then you have a good backup program.
Does it have it's own scheduler?

Yeah that is probably the most important argument one can make (and i do have to admit, its a nice Acronis feature to be able to convert images to Windows images back and forth).
Looking at the current usage of SSD's though, the correct recovery of an image is probably the most valid point to judge a good backup solution (also taking alignment into account).

--

i just came across this article today:
Acronis Press Center: latest press releases and media contact information
(Acronis 2014 obtained Windows 8.1 certification).
Maybe i should be a bit more forgiving and give them another try?

Well they maybe win 8.1 certified, but they have claimed before to be UEIF GPT compliant, when they still could only restore a partition not a full Image Bootable OS Drive. I'll be watching their Forum also as I'm invested in there product with 3 WS still, I didn't buy into 2014 because they still hadn't solved the Image Restore UEIF GPT disk issue. And moved my Notebook to Refect
 

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  • OS
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    Laptop
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    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
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    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
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    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
yes you can still schedule system image backups ... easy as 1-2-3

1) Open Powershell as Admin
2) Paste the following into the window

Daily backup
SCHTASKS /Create /SC DAILY /TN DailyFullBackup /RL HIGHEST /ST 14:06 /TR “wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:F: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet”

Weekly Backup
SCHTASKS /Create /SC WEEKLY /D MON /TN WeeklyFullBackup /RL HIGHEST /ST 13:00 /TR “wbAdmin Start Backup -backupTarget:F: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet”

Then just simply change the Target and Times/days as required then Hit Enter in the Powershell, you should get a Success Message.

To Check that it has scheduled ok open up Windows Task Scheduler (its still there in windows 8.1, then in the Task Scheduler Library the new schedule should be listed down at the bottom.
 

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    windows 8

My Computer

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    Win 8.1.1 64 bit
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    LENOVO Durian 7A1
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    Firefox - newest
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    Defender
    Other Info
    MBAM Pro, SAS Pro, Revo Pro.
Many imaging programs have been upgraded and support UEFI and GPT
 

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  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I'm using Acronis True Image 2013 and it handles UEFI/GPT okay. I've used it to clone a GPT SSD to a new SSD and I've also used it to image a SATA GPT drive then restore to a SSD drive. I also use it to create weekly backup of my C: D: and E: drives. C: is the GPT drive.

I'm thinking about upgrading to ATI 2014 when the next reduced price upgrade E-mail comes in.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I'm using Acronis True Image 2013 and it handles UEFI/GPT okay. I've used it to clone a GPT SSD to a new SSD and I've also used it to image a SATA GPT drive then restore to a SSD drive. I also use it to create weekly backup of my C: D: and E: drives. C: is the GPT drive.

I'm thinking about upgrading to ATI 2014 when the next reduced price upgrade E-mail comes in.

Did you get the PM I sent you about Acronis ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Z710 #59400485
    CPU
    i7-4700MQ
    Motherboard
    LENOVO Durian 7A1
    Memory
    8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics 4600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" FHD LED Glossy Wedge
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB 5400 RPM

    WDC WD10JPCX-24UE4T0
    PSU
    4 Cell 41 Watt Hour Lithium-Ion
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Air in, Air out.
    Keyboard
    Logitech usb
    Mouse
    M$ Arc
    Internet Speed
    60 down- 25 up
    Browser
    Firefox - newest
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    MBAM Pro, SAS Pro, Revo Pro.
Just replied now.

Some how incoming message notification was set to off. Set to on now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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