Can one suggest an excellent free/nearly free BackUp app

javierdl

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Montreal, quebec, canada
I had been using File History, but then for some reason it no longer backs up my folders. Besides, it seems I cannot set it up to backup only selected folders. The only choice I seem to have is to backup all HD.
I need to be able to
1. have a 2nd (and maybe a 3rd) copy of photos/videos and personal files in external HDs.
2. Once I copy new photos from source to PC, Backup software should be able to identify what's new and copy it to backup locations.
3. In the event when duplicates exist, Backup software should be able to suggest/request removal of them.

Any suggestions to other features are more than welcome, even if it's just to make better use of File History.

Thanks in advance guys!

JDL
 

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Sorry I don't know much about free as over the years I have found that free is not always free and recovering your data when something bad happens. And It will happen. It just isn't worth taking a chance on free.
I use and still use Acronis True Home Image. I'll continue using this program on BIOS/MBR computers.
When we started using newer machines that are UEFI/GPT Acronis did not step up to the plate for several years 2011 through 2014 they advertised that they were UEFI complaint. While at the same time they were not able to restore a working OS Booting Hard Drive. This was a nightmare to a lot of us. I understand that in April 2014 they came out with an update that did make ATHI 2014 actually work. I can't say for sure as by this time I had found Macrium Reflect which is a very good back up program/ Imaging program that actually Clones or Images UEFI GPT machines and 100% restores booting OS hard drives/SSD. The main reason that I'll be moving everything over to Reflect is One it works, two there tech support is English speaking highly experienced people that actualy work directly with the product.
The free addition will work good for disk Images and for Cloning. If you want to use file and folder backup you'll have to pay for a license. I personally caught a 30% off sale and got a Pro License. As I upgrade the other Work Stations and Notebooks they will only need the standard License.
So I recommend Macrium Reflect, however Acronis may be better for your requirements. You'll just have to check out there features. And I also recommend that you check out the Support Forums for both programs and little bit of time spent investigating could save you a lot of aggravation latter on.
I don't know of any back up software that will inform you of duplicates. Since they would have to be in different folders I have never needed such, so I could be wrong about that.
 

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This is great! Thank you both a bunch for your valuable replies :)

Hey PM, would you mind saying how ST compares to File History?

Have not used File History but I understand that File History will save multiple versions of a file that is updated and SyncToy does not. Here is a link with a basic information on what ST will do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy

Jim :cool:
 

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If you only want to backup entire disks or partitions you can use clonezilla which backups almost every file system (Windows, Linux and Apple). If you want to use file backups I suggest using areca backup.

Both are reliable, free and open source.
 

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Everyone likes something for Free, Right. But if it does not do what you want it to, what good is it. People have recommendations based on their needs, but ultimately it is up to you to decide. Pick a few that you are interested in, look at the features available and check the reviews, not the ones from the manufacturers site.

If you have to pay for what you want, so be it. Look at is as an investment. When and if disaster strikes, you will be glad you did. Too many people overlook backups until they run in a problem and have lost a lifetime of data.

IMHO, Acronis True Image and Macrium are two of the best out there, so do your research.
 

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Acronis True Image is indeed convenient to use, especially since it allows backups of the system, disk while the system is running. But both free alternatives I recommended, clonezilla and areca backup are well known and very reliable tools that are well maintained and supported. When it comes to reliability there is really no argument against them. But when it comes to convenience commercial software like True Image is at least one step ahead of clonezilla since in order to backup your data you have to boot from a cd. But to backup files areca is as comfortable to use as True Image or its competitors. And the op clearly asked for free or nearly free alternatives so I gave him exactly that :)
 

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I have been using FreeFileSync for a couple of years. It is easy to use and reliable.

It can back up individual folders, groups of folders or an entire disk.
 

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The best free backup software in my opinion is Personal Backup - it's a 5 star editor's pick at Softpedia and comes with an easy automated mode, along with a customization mode that has every option you'd find in a professional backup package (incl., backing up simultaneously to separate drives, making Full, Copy, Differential, etc., backups, extensive log settings, and a scheduler).
I've used it extensively in a business environment and swear by it. Check it out here Personal Backup Free Download

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Personal-Backup_1.png

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:ditto:

Looks good !

:)
 

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Hi there

Another option if you can use Linux at all is to boot up say a Live CD distro and use the DD comannd -- this will copy byte for byte as DATA so it doesn't matter what format or type of partitions on your HDD's are formatted in.

For data simply use . tar or any of the archivers (ARK for example).

I've found though it's worth PAYING for a robust backup program --the amount of time it saves you is well worh the small fee these programs cost. Acronis is fine these days as is the Pro version of Macrium or even Paragon. Imagine re-ripping 2,000 CD's again because you've lost your Music files !!!!

I use these for imaging -- and for partial directory backups for example fdirectories a* - e* I simply use the Linux TAR command. Linux reads and writes Windows volumes - no probs these days.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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....use the DD command -- this will copy byte for byte as DATA so it doesn't matter what format or type of partitions on your HDD's are formatted in.
...

Interesting... Not that I would use this option for the day to day files backup, but I am also looking for a solution to copy "everything" in my HD, and I mean it literally because I have a dual setup with Win8 & Ubuntu 13.10 and I want to be sure even the booting files get backed up. It sounds like your suggestion would do the trick. Wouldn't it?

As for the rest of the suggestions for the day to day files backup the suggestions are so good I'll have to study them very closely.
Thank you so much everyone! :)

JDL
 

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