free backup program

[lcoughey]

A scheduled batch file running rsync or xcopy is free.

 

[britechguy]

When the built in windows one fails (a lot for me lol)

Well, Microsoft hasn't been really doing any development on this for years, and it was never great. They deprecated the core component of what, under Windows 10, is called Backup & Restore (Windows 7) all the way back at Version 1709 and directly stated users should switch to a third party solution.

Microsoft Announcement of Deprecated Features, including SIB [Backup and Restore (Windows 7), V1709]

 

[timeshifter]

I'm not familiar with Veeam, are you referring to the Backup and Replication Community Edition download on their site?

No, although that’s good, a little complex. I’m referring to their program I think is called Windows Agent for Workstations. I’ll get your the exact name later, on my phone right now.

 

[mikeroq]

No, although that’s good, a little complex. I’m referring to their program I think is called Windows Agent for Workstations. I’ll get your the exact name later, on my phone right now.

I'm not familiar with Veeam, are you referring to the Backup and Replication Community Edition download on their site?

Free Windows Backup Solution for PCs and Endpoints

Simple and free Windows backup for cloud and physical servers, desktops, endpoints and more. Protect Windows workloads with Veeam Agent for Windows!

www.veeam.com

 

[timeshifter]

Yep, that’s it.

 

[GTP]

List of some free backup programs

 

[River Valley Computer]

As a general rule will will not install 'free' backup software on clients computers. We just feel that if a catastropic problem occurred then they would come back to us and expect us to stand behind it. That is not to mean that there wouldn't be a problem with purchased backup software but the definitely have deeper pocket in case of a law suit. Actually we feel that way about most free software. The one exception we have made in the past and now is LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

 

[HCHTech]

Residential users? Robocopy. Simple to write a script (we keep generic scripts on our field flash drives, just modify as necessary) and schedule it, then provide an icon on the desktop to run it on demand. We add Backblaze if they'll do it as well. I'll admit to keeping scripts for some business customers as a secret backup only I know about and maintain for extra important stuff. Belt, suspenders and another belt, I guess - haha. I just read that Robocopy is getting some love in 21H1 - speed enhancements for large files.

 

[Mick]

Someone earlier recommended FreeFileSync and I'd go along with that for residential/domestic use. You can set it to run if a specific external device (USB stick etc) is plugged in, or if/when another computer or NAS box comes on line over your domestic LAN and you can pick and choose - right down to individual files - what is backed up. Supports incremental, too.

 

[britechguy]

Again, it's impossible to make a good recommendation unless one knows exactly what type:

1. Full System Image
2. User Data

backup is being discussed. What works for the first can work for the second, depending on the product, as far as ease of picking out what one wants to extract from that backup. But the second does not work, in any way, shape, or form if what is wanted is the first.

 

[Fred Claus]

Backup programs don't get much respect so to speak. I've used Ashampoo Backup Pro in the past. Not free but for $29 might as well be. Very full featured and been around a long time. Way more stuff in there than I'll ever need. On the free side of things is Cobain Backup. I've seen it being used in a few small businesses. I'm not that familiar with it though.

I like the idea of Ashampoo. Do you set it up for a specific day and time, and then the customer has to remember to plug the drive in prior to that? I'd hate for my customers to have to keep the drive plugged in all the time if that's the only backup they do.

 

[Diggs]

I like the idea of Ashampoo. Do you set it up for a specific day and time, and then the customer has to remember to plug the drive in prior to that? I'd hate for my customers to have to keep the drive plugged in all the time if that's the only backup they do.

Yes and yes and "best practices" say to remove the drive after backup to lower the chances of a crypto attack destroying their backups. Most just leave the drive plugged in all the time or have a second drive mounted internally for back up.