Looking for a Time Machine alternative for Windows

[sapphirescales]

So I'm looking for a good file backup program for personal use similar to Time Machine. I've found two pieces of software so far: Genie Timeline and Ashampoo Backup Pro 15. I want software that doesn't store the data in some weird proprietary format. I don't want the UnintelligibleFileName(1).StupidProprietaryBackupFormat file to get corrupted and lose my data. In other words, just store the files as-is so they can be accessed in File Explorer. I also need versioning and deduplication. Genie Timeline fits all my criteria but the software hasn't been updated since 2018 and under the hood it's still the same program it was back in 2011/2012 (it doesn't even support display scaling).

I've tried literally dozens of backup programs and nothing even comes close to Time Machine/Genie Timeline. Ashampoo Backup Pro supports deduplication, but the folders never get deleted so you end up with a ton of empty folders you deleted years ago when you go to restore. I never thought it would be so difficult to find a decent data backup program. Most of the junk out there just syncs files and doesn't support versioning. I even tried iDrive's software (it's cloud backup software but it supports local backup too). The problem is, it has no deduplication so you end up with everything that was ever deleted in a particular folder put back there when you go to restore. I mean, seriously, what use is that?

 

[NviGate Systems]

There is Drive image XML, apparently it's based on open standards. Maybe have a look? I know it uses VSS Shadows or something like that.

 

[Diggs]

When I've wanted to keep file formats "as is" I've used Cobain Backup in the past but I don't remember if it has revisioning or de-duplication.

I like Ashampoo products despite the goofy name. I've used their backup program in the past and am still using it at a small business or two.

 

[geranium]

Syncback Pro from 2brightsparks does versioning. I’ve been meaning to test it out, but haven’t gotten to it.

 

[HCHTech]

Yeah, if there were a program that worked like Time Machine for Windows, I'd be using it. Not sure why that doesn't exist, to be honest. I'm not an apple guy, but I do like Time Machine. It's the first thing I check when I get a new apple client - "Are you using Time Machine? No? Let's get you set up".

 

[HFultzjr]

I've used Genie Timeline personally for years.
Never had an issue.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Windows 10 backup... AKA file history.

When paired with OneDrive sync, it's time machine... but actually durable. No it doesn't protect the entire system. Why? Because it doesn't need to!

On a Mac when you have OS corruption you nuke it and restore the user's files via time machine. On Windows, when you have OS level corruption you nuke it and restore the files via history / OneDrive.

The problem? Windows actually has a 3rd party application marketplace that has more than 2 people selling in it. So when you N&P a Windows box you get to put all the apps back. That brings us back to needing some sort of cloud based image level backup so you can tolerate a crypto. For those needs, I use Shadow Protect.

Retail users grumble however, because the cloud component means *gasp*, a subscription. You can do a local thing with Macrium or Shadow Protect, I prefer the latter... but it's a bit more complex to configure. But with a NAS, it's easier to handle multiple systems on said NAS than Macrium is.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I've used Genie Timeline personally for years.
Never had an issue.

I have, but a minor one. Used the personal (free) version for a while but something went wrong and I couldn't resume from where it left off. Had to start a new back-up and re-build but IIRC, that didn't go well. Not a big deal, but I could no longer trust it after that. I'm hazy on details because it's been a while. Other than that, I was very pleased with it.

 

[Markverhyden]

Time Machine is far from perfect. Just like anything else related to computers. Over the years I've had several attempted recoveries from failed TM stores. They've ranged from total loss of data to plenty of time rummaging around looking for things. And none of these were encrypted. So, just like any other backup app, your backup is only as good as the frequency at which you test it.

 

[britechguy]

Just as someone (@Sky-Knight, if memory of today's posts serves) said, "All software has bugs," the corollary is that, "All software occasionally malfunctions for reasons unknown."

I can't think of a single thing I've ever used over the long term that hasn't had a single solitary hiccup.

 

[Porthos]

I can't think of a single thing I've ever used over the long term that hasn't had a single solitary hiccup.

Including my brain.

 

[britechguy]

Including my brain.

Probably the most frequent offender (our own brains), at least for many of us!

 

[Sky-Knight]

Including my brain.

Oh goodness yes, the lump of bacon between my ears is the least trustworthy bit involved in anything!

 

[sapphirescales]

Windows 10 backup... AKA file history.

How can you consider File History to be a viable backup solution? It won't back up any files with long paths even after turning on long path support via Group Policy. When I tried File History it wouldn't back up half my files because of the hundreds of thousands of "max_path" errors. People have been complaining about this since 2012 and Microsoft hasn't done a damned thing to fix it. Oh, but don't worry. Microsoft has been hard at work making sure that Bing results come up when you search your computer for files. What a wonderful feature! Thanks, Microsoft! /s.

I'm so fricking done. Microsoft hasn't released even ONE feature for their end users since Windows 7 was released in 2009. Everything they add is for their own benefit to trick/coerce people into paying them for services or so they can spy on you and sell your data. I mean, seriously. This is a company that got rid of their old Solitaire program and replaced it with one that forces you to watch ads in between each game. The three OS options all suck royally.

1. Windows - full of 20+ year old bugs that never get fixed and run by a company that doesn't give a rats ass about its users.
2. Mac OS - you have to buy Apple's terrible hardware in order to use it.
3. Linux - totally inaccessible to regular people. You have to use the freaking terminal for even the smallest, stupidest things. I guess if you just need a web browser or if you're a Linux guru who lives in the terminal it's an okay OS. For everyone else though, it sucks.

What I'm looking for (a good backup software with versioning that doesn't require 2-3x the space of my source drive for full/incremental backups because the a$$holes want to put my files into some weird proprietary format to lock me into their software) isn't difficult and it should be included with Windows. If File History supported long paths it would be almost perfect (I still have a few gripes, like not being able to see a status bar or see what files are being backed up, but if the backup software would actually...you know...BACK UP my files, you know, the ONLY thing it's for!!!!!!!! then it would be perfect).

File History is like a Solitaire game where you can only flip over 1/2 of the cards. In other words, it's unplayable/unusable.

 

[Diggs]

3. Linux - totally inaccessible to regular people. You have to use the freaking terminal for even the smallest, stupidest things. I guess if you just need a web browser or if you're a Linux guru who lives in the terminal it's an okay OS. For everyone else though, it sucks.

Dude - You need to get out more. Command line Linux hasn't been a big deal for many years. I'm not sure there is anything that you must sudo command line for anymore. It's used by those that prefer it not as a mandatory requirement. Then again, Windows has DISM, FDISK, CHKDSK and others.

Got root?

 

[sapphirescales]

Dude - You need to get out more.

I don't remember specifics about what I was trying to do, but it was something so stupid/simple and it REQURIED the command line. This was 3 years ago, the last time I tried Linux (it was Linux Mint, as if what distro you use really matters). I screwed around with it for about an hour before just saying "f*ck it" and installing Windows again. I think it had something to do with Rsync or something. All I was trying to do was download a few files from a web server and it was like pulling teeth. The whole time I was thinking "Jesus f*ck, why can't they just create a UI like FileZilla so I can transfer some files without learning a bunch of command line crap?" It's like these people sit down and actually think about how difficult and unintuitive they can make things.

EDIT: I ended up getting the files I needed by using Powershell in Windows and some GUI version of Rsync I found online. I don't remember exactly what I did. All I know is it was 1000x easier in Windows.

 

[britechguy]

All I know is it was 1000x easier in Windows.

And the same can be said of "in Linux," "in MacOS," etc., depending on exactly what it is you're trying to do. This is nothing new. And yet another case of "tool to task."

 

[overburnz]

1. Windows - full of 20+ year old bugs that never get fixed and run by a company that doesn't give a rats ass about its users.
2. Mac OS - you have to buy Apple's terrible hardware in order to use it.
3. Linux - totally inaccessible to regular people. You have to use the freaking terminal for even the smallest, stupidest things. I guess if you just need a web browser or if you're a Linux guru who lives in the terminal it's an okay OS. For everyone else though, it sucks.

Linux is not user friendly? many years ago I could agree with you but now (depending on the distro) it's a bite more easy to use, you just need to give it a go not just use it for an hour or two and discarding it because you don't want to learn how to use it...

MacOS = crappy hardware? I REALLY can't understand that sentence... I bet you're one of those "limited" persons that only uses windows, because 20/25 years ago was the popular OS and refuses to learn how to use other OS's.... you can't be in this job not knowing (at least) the basics of all OS's.... you will have one in wich you can be a tech wizard but saying other OS's or hardware sucks just because you can't use it....

Windows is a good OS for most users but it will depends on what you need the machine to do or the environment you can take more advantage in using for your work...

 

[Markverhyden]

All I was trying to do was download a few files from a web server and it was like pulling teeth.

Maybe you need to improve your prep. Filezilla has had a *nix version for over 10 years.

FileZilla - Version history

 

[sapphirescales]

Maybe you need to improve your prep. Filezilla has had a *nix version for over 10 years.

FileZilla - Version history

Unfortunately it was a Linux server I was connecting to that only supported Rsync.

MacOS = crappy hardware? I REALLY can't understand that sentence

Well then you've never used a modern Mac. Everything is soldered together and 6x as expensive as PC hardware. I literally couldn't do my job without my PC with my 6+ hard drives and the reparability and expandability that comes along with it. I can just imagine some idiot spending $2,500 on a MacBook "Pro" along with 15 different dongles juggling 6 different external hard drives instead of just spending $1,500 on a much better quality PC that can do the job much quicker and easier. Even the $6,000 Mac Pro only supports 2x hard drives. Apple is a joke. Their computers are designed for rich yuppies who want to look cool. There was a time when Apple made good computers that were designed for professionals, but those days ended in 2013 with their trash can Mac Pro and their "Retina" Macbook Pro's with soldered RAM. Things have only gotten worse since then.

you just need to give it a go not just use it for an hour or two and discarding it because you don't want to learn how to use it...

No thanks. I can figure out anything in Windows because it just makes sense. Linux makes absolutely no sense (Mac OS isn't much better, but at least their terminal commands have some sort of logic to them). It's not about "getting used" to it. I've been working with computers since I was 5 years old and I pick things up immediately in Windows because it's intuitive and it makes sense. Linux is COMPLETELY unintuitive and clunky and I don't have time to waste on some no-name OS that nobody uses outside of servers or phones. Even if I did memorize their horrible terminal commands, I don't use it enough to keep it in my head. Why the heck would I WANT to use it? I'd rather use Windows 95/DOS.