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Posted

Just spent a few hours the past few days in setting up , running and reviewing the built in Backup of W7.

:rant: it is pretty bad. hard to get to, hard to understand what is happening, hard to see what is being done, hard to see what was done and performance was miserable

 

So, looking for recommendations of shareware that will do W7 backups. Needs to:

backup to a network drive or an NAS

give a process bar

for looking , provide a tree layout similar to Explorer (i need users to be able to use it)

easy to configure for full or incremental backup

 

volume shodowing would be nice

Oh, and it needs to run on W7-64bit.

Posted

Just spent a few hours the past few days in setting up , running and reviewing the built in Backup of W7.

:rant: it is pretty bad. hard to get to, hard to understand what is happening, hard to see what is being done, hard to see what was done and performance was miserable

 

So, looking for recommendations of shareware that will do W7 backups. Needs to:

backup to a network drive or an NAS

give a process bar

for looking , provide a tree layout similar to Explorer (i need users to be able to use it)

easy to configure for full or incremental backup

 

volume shodowing would be nice

Oh, and it needs to run on W7-64bit.

I normally look at backing up any Windows system as two separate problems. First, I'd use the built in System Restore function for keeping the OS itself healthy. Second, I'd use Robocopy to backup all data files. Of course, I'd also use Clonezilla every once in a while to image the entire partition.

Posted

Gee, I like Win 7 backup. It runs on W7-64bit, uses Volume Shodowing and I find it fast and convenient, especially when backing up to a 2ndary partition on the harddrive. A bar in the icon in the Task bar shows the completion status. In addition to doing an image backup of the C: drive is also backs up files that have changed to a separate backup folder, I've even created a cmd script to backup my partitions using it.

 

I created a desktop icon that points to it so it's easy to find.

 

Whether it backs up to a network drive I don't know, I've never tried it. But I just checked it's options and it does support network drives. As for accessing backed up files, the image backup can be mounted as a VHD (Computer > Manage > Disk Management > Action > Attach VHD) and all the files and folders accessed with Explorer, just like any drive.

 

For freeware drive imaging apps I use CloneDisk and DriveImage XML but I don't think either will write to a network drive but I could be wrong. I've never tried. The CloneDisk img backups can be mounted as VHDs also. I think the DriveImage ones can be too but I don't remember. It's been awhile since I tried. My restores are usually image restores rather than file by file. And in addition to backing up to partitions on the hard drive I back up to USB hard drives, removable IDE hard drives and USB sticks depending on machine and size of backup.

Posted

Hello,

 

Are you looking for a file-based or an image-based backup solution?

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

Posted

I dumped the Win7 backup system after the first time I tried it. For file backup I use FreeFileSync which is Open Source. For image backup I use Acronis True Image. I use the boot disk and do it outside of Windows. I don't care for installed Acronis. I do use System Restore.

  • Like 1
Posted

Is your BCD file on the same partition as your Windows folder or on a separate hidden partition? If the latter, does your Acronis backup up both the BCD partition and your Windows partition?

 

FWIW The Win 7 image backup does both partitions when backing up the C: drive.

Posted

Is your BCD file on the same partition as your Windows folder or on a separate hidden partition? If the latter, does your Acronis backup up both the BCD partition and your Windows partition?

 

FWIW The Win 7 image backup does both partitions when backing up the C: drive.

 

BCD? Are you talking about the *.tib image file that Acronis creates? When I image C:\ (Windows partition) I create the image on D:\ (Backup partition). I also copy the image file to an external USB HDD.

 

In Acronis, there are checkboxes as to what drive/partition you want to back up. You can choose just one © or more, or the entire physical drive. Using the boot disk to create the image I believe precludes you from placing the image file on one of the partitions being imaged. Which wouldn't be a wise idea anyway.

 

Using Acronis True Image Home 2012, you can create Acronis Bootable Media that has a backup of your system on it (all-in-one).

 

I use the Acronis TI 2010 boot CD. I wouldn't know about that all-in-one thing, but I've never seen it using the boot CD. I do know that using the installed Acronis program (rather than the boot CD) you can image "live" while Windows is booted and running. Not something I'd want to do.

Guest LilBambi
Posted

I didn't bother with Acronis because i thought they now only had the ability to install and run 24/7 slowing down the system terribly!

 

But if they do have in 2010, not sure where to buy it now, but may go looking. I don't want that all on one thing, I just want to be able to back up outside windows and maybe even to a NAS if possible. Or a secondary drive or partition and then to the NAS while in Windows if it has to go that way.

Posted

BCD? Are you talking about the *.tib image file that Acronis creates? When I image C:\ (Windows partition) I create the image on D:\ (Backup partition). I also copy the image file to an external USB HDD.

 

No. I'm referring to the file that Windows 7 uses to boot. On many installs it is on a separate partition which is hidden once Windows is booted.

 

For backups I use Windows 7's backup or RunTime Software's DriveImage XML, under the Windows OS. Both create a Shadow Copy of the active drives before backing up. In standalone mode I use a BartPE system, either from the backup drive, a USB stick or CD, and run Windows Backup command line mode, DriveImage XML or CloneDisk. My backup locations are either alternate partitions on the hard drive (quick, convenient and fast, but when the hard drive fails so do they) or on USB hard drives or USB flash drives or removable IDE drives. I use to copy the backup images to another pc but not currently.

Posted

Gee, I like Win 7 backup. It runs on W7-64bit, uses Volume Shodowing and I find it fast and convenient, especially when backing up to a 2ndary partition on the harddrive. A bar in the icon in the Task bar shows the completion status. In addition to doing an image backup of the C: drive is also backs up files that have changed to a separate backup folder, I've even created a cmd script to backup my partitions using it.

 

I created a desktop icon that points to it so it's easy to find.

 

Whether it backs up to a network drive I don't know, I've never tried it. But I just checked it's options and it does support network drives. As for accessing backed up files, the image backup can be mounted as a VHD (Computer > Manage > Disk Management > Action > Attach VHD) and all the files and folders accessed with Explorer, just like any drive.

[...]

so I went back to the pc's i tried it on. Couldn't quite make sense of your menu but I think I know what you mean. Does the VHD show up as a file with a "vhd" extension? When I selected what I thought was the object in the "Attach VHD" i was presented with more objects to choose from.

Are you saying that all backups are incremental if they are going to a pre-existing location?

The progress bar does work, it just takes a vvvvveeerrryyyy long time for it to move off the 'Shadow Copying' to showing files getting backed up.

But even now, I don't like it. I have no confidence that it is not doing a full backup instead of an incremental or in it's estimate of how long it is going to take to run.

 

FreeFileSync - fail :( It hanged when I tried to point it to a NAS to hold the 'backup' :(

Posted (edited)

Does the VHD show up as a file with a "vhd" extension?

Yes. The image backup is a VHD file with a VHD extension (along with several XML files) in a folder named WindowsImageBackup. The file backups are in a folder named the machine's id. Both are on the same backup partition/device.

 

Are you saying that all backups are incremental if they are going to a pre-existing location?

The image backups aren't but the file backups are.

 

The progress bar does work, it just takes a vvvvveeerrryyyy long time for it to move off the 'Shadow Copying' to showing files getting backed up.

I suspect it depends on how many things you have open, including in background, and how active the open apps are. Mine takes less than a minute.

 

I have no confidence that it is not doing a full backup instead of an incremental or in it's estimate of how long it is going to take to run.

Familiarity will solve that. :) Run it on a machine daily for a week. Then search for the VHD file. And click on the Backup menu's Manage Space link. Also right click on some files you know have changed and see if the Restore Previous Version option is listed.

 

FreeFileSync - fail :( It hanged when I tried to point it to a NAS to hold the 'backup' :(

Don't know what FreeFileSync is.

Edited by Ed_P
Posted

How do I know if an image or file backup is being done? All I want is for the user to hit 'Backup' :(

Posted (edited)

How do I know if an image or file backup is being done? All I want is for the user to hit 'Backup' :(

The default config of the backup does both. Click on the Win 7 Backup and Restore's Change Settings link then after selecting the backup location click on the Next link. The default setting explains what it does.

 

Backups can be scheduled which removes the need for the user to hit "Backup" altogether. ;) However if done manually the best I can see is two clicks for the user, one for the Win 7 Backup and Restore icon on the desktop and one to click on the Back Up Now button.

 

Timestamp on the backup file?

On the image backup, yes. On files I don't know. I don't use that function. But I believe it does when you select a file's Restore Previous Version option.

Edited by Ed_P
  • Like 1
Posted

The default config of the backup does both. Click on the Win 7 Backup and Restore's Change Settings link then after selecting the backup location click on the Next link. The default setting explains what it does.[...]

umm, I think one of my points has been lost. Ed_P, you have done a much better job of explaining than the app.

Still need to see if I can figure out how to open an VHD. Maybe next week. Unless, ...

is the 32 and 64 version the same?

Posted

Still need to see if I can figure out how to open an VHD.

Click on Start, right click on Computer, click on Manage, click on Disk Management, click on Action, click on Attach VHD, click on Browse, find the ?:\WindowsImageBackup\machine name\Backup 20xx-xx-xx ******\ folder. Inside is the .vhd file.

 

is the 32 and 64 version the same?

Processwise yes, to the best of my knowledge.

Posted

On the image backup, yes. On files I don't know. I don't use that function. But I believe it does when you select a file's Restore Previous Version option.

 

I meant using the timestamp on the backup file to determine that last modified date. That way you know the backup program is doing *something*.

 

Adam

Posted

I meant using the timestamp on the backup file to determine that last modified date. That way you know the backup program is doing *something*.

 

This help?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Ed>e:
E:\>dir eds-acernb
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\eds-acernb
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 .
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 ..
10/03/2012 02:38 PM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-03 124045
10/04/2012 11:25 AM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-04 110749
11/24/2012 07:59 PM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-16 220219
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-11-26 111203
05/10/2012 04:29 PM			 528 MediaID.bin
		 1 File(s)		 528 bytes
		 6 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>dir windowsimagebackup
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\windowsimagebackup
05/10/2012 04:41 PM <DIR>		 .
05/10/2012 04:41 PM <DIR>		 ..
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 Eds-AcerNB
		 0 File(s)			 0 bytes
		 3 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>dir windowsimagebackup\eds-acernb
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\windowsimagebackup\eds-acernb
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 .
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 ..
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 Backup 2012-11-26 161226
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 Catalog
05/10/2012 04:41 PM			 16 MediaId
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 SPPMetadataCache
		 1 File(s)			 16 bytes
		 5 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>

Posted

This help?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Ed>e:
E:\>dir eds-acernb
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\eds-acernb
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 .
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 ..
10/03/2012 02:38 PM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-03 124045
10/04/2012 11:25 AM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-04 110749
11/24/2012 07:59 PM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-10-16 220219
11/26/2012 11:17 AM <DIR>		 Backup Set 2012-11-26 111203
05/10/2012 04:29 PM			 528 MediaID.bin
		 1 File(s)		 528 bytes
		 6 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>dir windowsimagebackup
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\windowsimagebackup
05/10/2012 04:41 PM <DIR>		 .
05/10/2012 04:41 PM <DIR>		 ..
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 Eds-AcerNB
		 0 File(s)			 0 bytes
		 3 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>dir windowsimagebackup\eds-acernb
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\windowsimagebackup\eds-acernb
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 .
11/26/2012 11:55 AM <DIR>		 ..
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 Backup 2012-11-26 161226
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 Catalog
05/10/2012 04:41 PM			 16 MediaId
11/26/2012 12:35 PM <DIR>		 SPPMetadataCache
		 1 File(s)			 16 bytes
		 5 Dir(s) 7,939,989,504 bytes free
E:\>

I don't see a VHD file listed in your post.
Posted (edited)

E:\>dir P:\WindowsImageBackup\"AMD_XP_2000\Backup 2012-11-25 014221"\
Volume in drive P is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 499C-318C
Directory of P:\WindowsImageBackup\AMD_XP_2000\Backup 2012-11-25 014221
11/24/2012  09:01 PM    <DIR>		  .
11/24/2012  09:01 PM    <DIR>		  ..
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 1,078 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_AdditionalFilesc3b9f3c7-5e52-4d5e-8b20-19adc95a34c7.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM		    30,644 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Components.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 6,348 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_RegistryExcludes.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 7,274 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writer4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 1,488 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writer542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 1,484 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writera6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 2,584 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writerafbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM		    11,028 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writerbe000cbe-11fe-4426-9c58-531aa6355fc4.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			 7,110 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writercd3f2362-8bef-46c7-9181-d62844cdc0b2.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM		 2,451,784 44da0226-d203-4bb0-93eb-e02abf422516_Writere8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220.xml
11/24/2012  09:01 PM    14,822,146,048 b5e8d295-c644-11e0-b383-806e6f6e6963.vhd
11/24/2012  09:01 PM			   668 BackupSpecs.xml
		  12 File(s) 14,824,667,538 bytes
		   2 Dir(s)  30,246,641,664 bytes free
E:\>

 

:'( Can't seem to get the code to line up like it does in the Command Prompt window. Sorry. The .VHD file is the big one near the bottom.

Edited by Ed_P
Posted (edited)

if the question is, did my backup do something, then:

it looks like a backup was started on nov 25, and captured lots of data from nov 24.

- is that a listing of what you would expect to be captured?

- is that the last backup you ran?

Yes and yes.

 

if you have run backups since, either that listing isn't the target of the backup, or the backup failed.

It is unlikely that I had run a more recent backup at that time. I do my backups manually. Scheduling them is an option but i don't use it.

 

On my netbook this is what I saw/see.

 

Before new backup:
C:\Users\Ed>dir E:\WindowsImageBackup\Eds-AcerNB\Backup" 2012-12-10 042323
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\WindowsImageBackup\Eds-AcerNB\Backup 2012-12-10 042323
12/10/2012 12:06 AM <DIR>		 .
12/10/2012 12:06 AM <DIR>		 ..
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 1,078 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_AdditionalFilesc3b9f3c7-5e52-4d5e-8b20-19adc95a34c7.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM				 14,130 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Components.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 6,348 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_RegistryExcludes.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 4,392 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writer4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 1,488 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writer542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 1,484 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writera6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 2,584 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writerafbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 6,024 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writerbe000cbe-11fe-4426-9c58-531aa6355fc4.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 7,110 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writercd3f2362-8bef-46c7-9181-d62844cdc0b2.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM			 3,669,070 aa15efab-e00d-4780-9b05-c0c8f1a08776_Writere8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220.xml
12/10/2012 12:06 AM					 1,186 BackupSpecs.xml
12/09/2012 11:31 PM		 58,737,664 c38a95fe-9261-11e1-92e9-806e6f6e6963.vhd
12/10/2012 12:06 AM 22,946,431,488 c38a95ff-9261-11e1-92e9-806e6f6e6963.vhd
		 13 File(s) 23,008,884,046 bytes
		 2 Dir(s) 6,536,998,912 bytes free
C:\Users\Ed>

After new backup:
C:\Users\Ed>dir E:\WindowsImageBackup\Eds-AcerNB\Backup" 2012-12-10 205428
Volume in drive E is BKUPS
Volume Serial Number is 7D5A-87B0
Directory of E:\WindowsImageBackup\Eds-AcerNB\Backup 2012-12-10 205428
12/10/2012 04:23 PM <DIR>		 .
12/10/2012 04:23 PM <DIR>		 ..
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 1,078 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_AdditionalFilesc3b9f3c7-5e52-4d5e-8b20-19adc95a34c7.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 14,130 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Components.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 6,348 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_RegistryExcludes.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 4,392 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writer4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 1,488 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writer542da469-d3e1-473c-9f4f-7847f01fc64f.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 1,484 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writera6ad56c2-b509-4e6c-bb19-49d8f43532f0.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 2,584 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writerafbab4a2-367d-4d15-a586-71dbb18f8485.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 6,024 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writerbe000cbe-11fe-4426-9c58-531aa6355fc4.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 7,110 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writercd3f2362-8bef-46c7-9181-d62844cdc0b2.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM			 3,668,682 03f2a3ce-b563-4c72-b7a1-114913cd302d_Writere8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220.xml
12/10/2012 04:23 PM					 1,186 BackupSpecs.xml
12/10/2012 03:57 PM		 58,737,664 c38a95fe-9261-11e1-92e9-806e6f6e6963.vhd
12/10/2012 04:23 PM 22,946,431,488 c38a95ff-9261-11e1-92e9-806e6f6e6963.vhd
		 13 File(s) 23,008,883,658 bytes
		 2 Dir(s) 7,194,218,496 bytes free
C:\Users\Ed>

(Gad I hate how things don't line up between the code tags. Sorry, I have tried.)

 

As you can see dates and times change, as does the name of the folder.

Edited by Ed_P
Posted

A 4G XML file? umm ....

 

A lot of files. :sweatingbullets:

 

A sample of the file's contents-

filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework64\v2.0.50727" filespec="clr.mof" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework64\v2.0.50727\config\browsers" filespec="ie.browser" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32" filespec="certcredprovider.dll" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\drivers" filespec="pci.sys" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\driverstore\en-us" filespec="msdv.inf_loc" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="dvdplay.exe.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="httpapi.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="inetres.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="lltdres.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="locator.exe.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\en-us" filespec="utildll.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32" filespec="ksproxy.ax" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\system32\ru-ru" filespec="comctl32.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\en-us" filespec="mciavi32.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\en-us" filespec="racengn.dll.mui" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\ime\imejp10\applets" filespec="imjpcac.dll" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\migwiz\dlmanifests" filespec="peertopeergrouping-dl.man" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64" filespec="uianimation.dll" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64" filespec="uxinit.dll" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\wbem\en-us" filespec="racwmiprov.mfl" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64\windowspowershell\v1.0\en-us" filespec="about_commonparameters.help.txt" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64" filespec="winver.exe" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\syswow64" filespec="wsmres.dll" filespecBackupType="3855"/><FILE_LIST path="c:\windows\web\wallpaper\nature" filespec="img2.jpg" filespecBackupType="3855"/></FILE_GROUP></BACKUP_LOCATIONS></WRITER_METADATA>

Posted (edited)

Macrium Reflect is an excellent Free choice for image backups...

 

And new Seagate Retail HDD's ship with a lite ver. of Acronis...all it's missing is the scheduler and network backup.

Edited by patio
  • 9 months later...
Guest LilBambi
Posted

The one below is #4 of 5 best free Windows backup software (written in 2011):

 

4. EASEUS Todo Backup

 

easeus-backup.gifThe freeware version of Easeus backup software has pretty much all the things you would need to take a backup of your windows system.

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  • Download EaseUs
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  • Pros: This can backup Image, disk partition, files, folders. Easy disaster recovery option to recover your lost files quickly.
  • Cons: Some of the advanced features are available only in the professional version
  • OS: All flavors of Windows including Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 bit)

 

This one works really well and can do quite a bit! See bold emphasis (mine).


     

Posted

I make image backups. I use Paragon on all my machines except my laptop. The laptop has a small amount of data so I just use the built in Win7 backup to make an image of that drive. OH! Don't forget rescue disks.

Guest LilBambi
Posted

Definitely need those rescue or recovery disks.

 

One thing I found recently is that Lenovo is the only company that provides them when you call without keeping you on hold off and on for up to an hour while they 'prepare' your discs. Lenovo just sends them to you. No fuss. No muss. No cost. It's no wonder they have taken over the #1 slot for OEM manufacturers. And their tech support people are great. I got someone right here in the USA too. Very nice.

Posted

I'm surprised there's not more mention of "Image for Windows" by Terabyte Unlimited. Mature, solid, well documented and inexpensive. I've used it happily for years on WIN7 and WinXP. Image files are subdividable, compressed, and searchable, and the process is easy to automate. What more could you want?

/j

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