File Backup?

[Opt1]

Hey,

Does anyone know of a decent, freeware backup utility that will just back up selected folders/files to a folder on an external hard drive?

Ideally if it could do incrementals, so it alternates backup files so I can go back to older stuff..

Cheers :]

Opt

 

[dysfunction]

doesn't your external hard drive come with any backup software?

 

[Killswitch]

I did this for my girlfriend's boss just today using a USB2.0 HDD, xcopy and a batch file. It's not perfect, but it's easy, cheap and quick

 

[Opt1]

doesn't your external hard drive come with any backup software?

Nien, its a WD 250 Gb something or other. I think the more expensive version came with software.. it was a while ago now, so I forget :S

 

[Gahn]

Use the Windows backup? Provided u are using a Microsoft OS ofc -.-
nm i just thought that maybe u wanted the chance to restore single files also, and am not entirely sure that Windows Backup would help you in that case.

 

[Chilly]

windows backup can restore individual files no problem.

 

[dysfunction]

Nien, its a WD 250 Gb something or other. I think the more expensive version came with software.. it was a while ago now, so I forget :S

WD external drives have backup software on it.
Mine has anyway.

Unless of course you deleted it...

If you have you could possibly get the backup software from here: Downloads

 

[Cromcruaich]

Incrementals dont let you go back to older files. They just mean that each day you perform your incremental you are only backing up files that have been changed on that day.

They are more of a pain to do than daily or weekly full backups, as to get to your last good point you have to restore multiple backup sets. Differential backup takes more space, but you only have to restore 2 backup sets, full backup and you use the full amount of space each time, but only have to restore the current backup set.

For the home user a daily or even weekly full backup should suffice - and the only way to be able to go to older backup sets is well - to create older backup sets around a GFS (or some derivative) methodology.

tbh for keeping your porn safe, do what the man says and use xcopy and windows scheduler. Other alternatives are allwaysynch and ofcourse synchtoy. But I wouldnt use synchtoy myself as when they update it it tends to fick up and not tell you about it

Like Gahn says, windows backup will do the job and manages GFS backups, but I dont like the interface (but I do use it as a free way of backing up my home exchange organisation). Its probably the best free option if you really do need some sort of historical record. Though for a home user - wouldnt know why you'd want that in practice - just good file management should mean you dont need to do that, even if you do your own accounts or run an ebay business.