I've usually just occasionally and manually backed up my critical data onto USB SSDs. In the event of a system failure, I've just accepted that I'd rebuild the system from scratch, customize and config as I prefer, and then copy my data over.

But after a recent issue with a Macbook, I started using TimeVault which seems pretty good and even encrypts the USB SSD (hope I remember the password if I ever need to recover).

On Windows 10 (soon W11), what's the recommended way to backup the system? Is the built-in Windows Backup/Recovery tool good enough - I've read that it's a legacy tool (from Win7/8 days) that's no longer updated. But still, good enough? Or is there a more recommended backup/restore utility that people broadly use?

If this a fragmented (pun?) solution space, then maybe I should just use the Windows tool. If all the choices out there only have about 15% following of which the Windows tool is one, then perhaps the Windows tool is good enough and no different than any other choice. But if there is a non-technical, consumer oriented (not technically proficient) app that say 70% of people use, then maybe that's the best way.

Not that the built-in to Windows won't work - it will but I prefer some more intuitive.
A great free one is VEEAM (Agent for Microsoft Windows Free).
I have used on quire few client machines and successfully recovered quite a bit of data.

https://www.veeam.com/agent-fo...on.html?ad=downloads

Not that there aren't others both free and paid but I can attest to this one's quality.

YMMV

I just back up to an external hard drive and I only back up data.

Been doing it that way a long time and when I had a computer hard drive puke it restored what I wanted nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
I just back up to an external hard drive and I only back up data.

Been doing it that way a long time and when I had a computer hard drive puke it restored what I wanted nicely.

Yes, that's what I've been doing but wondering if there is a more automatic and easier way to backup and restore; especially restore perhaps. These days, it takes a while to go through not just the personalization settings but also all the privacy and security settings at the OS and app level (ie - browsers).

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Not that the built-in to Windows won't work - it will but I prefer some more intuitive.
A great free one is VEEAM (Agent for Microsoft Windows Free).
I have used on quire few client machines and successfully recovered quite a bit of data.

https://www.veeam.com/agent-fo...on.html?ad=downloads

Not that there aren't others both free and paid but I can attest to this one's quality.

YMMV

Thanks, I'll look into it. So, if built-in is basically functional but not the best, perhaps I'll start there while checking out other options.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

Yes, that's what I've been doing but wondering if there is a more automatic and easier way to backup and restore; especially restore perhaps.

^^^ Veeam


Install it.
Back it up.
Do a test restore.
Then schedule the BU (the free only does one schedule ~ but that will work fine)

Thanks. Sounds legit and good.

I have some reservations about providing name, phone, email in order to download. I'm sure it's okay but these things just give me pause.

For copying my data to back up USB drives, I use Beyond Compare Standard Edition. It's only $35.

You set up two locations to compare (whole drives, volumes, folders, etc.) and it looks what's different and you can choose to mirror or sync from one side to the other. Not having to copy over previously copied data makes the process fast.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested the 3-2-1 backup strategy.

3 copies always
2 different devices (or media)
1 off-site (or cloud) copy

Sounds like the OP is looking for system/ disk replication, not data backup. So all the backup, compare, mirror info isn't what he's looking for. Never heard of Veeam, but it does replication. Last time I was concerned about that sort of thing, I used Acronis, but that's a while ago.

Thanks guys.

3-2-1 sounds interesting. I do 3 copies already but on to 3 different USB SSDs. 2 media types - why? I could possibly do USB SSD and DVD (or maybe writable Blu-ray?) but would need the different media types to be encrypted / password protected; can I encrypt / protect data on a DVD disk? 1 - I don't do that today. I don't trust cloud. But could store a copy someplace (like at work). Probably not a bad idea. So, I do 3 but need to figure out how to do 2 and 1.

Veeam sounds pretty good and well received. Seems like Acronis has a good rep as well. I'll check out both; I'll start with windows in-built backup for now while I check out veeam and acronis. A long time ago, I used to use tools like Ghost. Sounds like tools like veeam and acronis are the current preferred flavors with more sophistication.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks guys.

3-2-1 sounds interesting. I do 3 copies already but on to 3 different USB SSDs. 2 media types - why? I could possibly do USB SSD and DVD (or maybe writable Blu-ray?) but would need the different media types to be encrypted / password protected; can I encrypt / protect data on a DVD disk? 1 - I don't do that today. I don't trust cloud. But could store a copy someplace (like at work). Probably not a bad idea. So, I do 3 but need to figure out how to do 2 and 1.

smschulz is the better person to answer this, but I can give an example...

An acquaintance got hit by ransom-ware. He thought he was set because he had a simple RAID system for backup. Long story short, the ransom-ware locked the files in his RAID backup because the RAID drives were connected to the infected system. So no backup. The (2) in 3-2-1 is, I think, meant as a backup with enough "separation" from the main system so something like ransom-ware can't access it.

That's my 2 cents, I'll let others address it further.

The biggest reason I see for different media types is so you don’t rely on a single restore device. If you’ve got two backups on optical discs and the drive fails, and perhaps that drive had a quirk that makes its writes unreadable by another drive, then you’re screwed. Also, tech changes over time and a single tech can become obsolete. What if all your backups were on tape? They’d be harder to recover now.

If you have a Synology NAS, Active Backup for Business works well and is free.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
<snip>
A long time ago, I used to use tools like Ghost.

Wow, does that bring back memories and date you!

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
<snip>
A long time ago, I used to use tools like Ghost.

Wow, does that bring back memories and date you!

As perhaps you as well

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by konata88:


smschulz is the better person to answer this, but I can give an example...

An acquaintance got hit by ransom-ware. He thought he was set because he had a simple RAID system for backup. Long story short, the ransom-ware locked the files in his RAID backup because the RAID drives were connected to the infected system. So no backup. The (2) in 3-2-1 is, I think, meant as a backup with enough "separation" from the main system so something like ransom-ware can't access it.

That's my 2 cents, I'll let others address it further.

First, RAID is NOT a backup strategy.

It merely provides for redundancy should a drive physically fair in the array.
The exception is RAID 0 where there is no redundancy and usually by desktops for speed.
I think a lot of people think RAID 1 is a backup because all the data is written to another drive 1:1.
However, if garbage, virus or corruption is written to one drive (R1) the same is written to the second.

As far as Ransomware - any files they can access -= they can corrupt.
Some BU solutions can detect and defend somewhat as do some AV programs.
However, the safest is to "air gap" or take offline the backup so the saboteur cannot access.
Of course, the more backups the better and 3 2 1 is a common strategy deployed.
Don't forget to test them as well on occasion - nothing more frustrating to try to use a backup just to find out it is corrupt.
Basically, the effort to protect your data should be proportional to the value of the data.

I know almost nothing about PCs. But a wonderful aspect of a backup system like Apple Time Machine is this: suppose you accidentally delete an important file (or directory), but don’t discover the loss for months (or even years). With Time Machine you can easily find the most recent extant version of that lost file and recover it.

Backups are very economical of storage. Only changed/new file are backed up, but a sophisticated indexing system makes it appear that every backup is a complete backup.

My once-a-day backup system:
1. Disconnect from the Internet.
2. Run Malwarebytes.
3. Do Time Machine backup.
4. Eject backup disk.
5. Reconnect to the Internet.

With that system I know that all of my backups have no malware.

My backup media is a La Cie 2 TB portable drive. Actually, I have two of them which I use on alternate days.

quote:

My backup media is a La Cie 2 TB portable drive. Actually, I have two of them which I use on alternate days.

I encourage the use of other manufacturer HDD. LaCie, although once promoted by Apple, has failed me, and many other people. I create backup SSD from inexpensive on sale name brand SSD with high reliability and an inexpensive SSD case.