Backups
- Backup software
- Cloning - Disk Image - ISO/IMG/etc.
- Cloud
- Synchronization software
- CD & DVD burning ...
- Storage ...
- USB drives ...
- Virtual Storage (= online storage/backup) ...
- Windows Topics ...
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- References
- How to Set Up Subscription-Free Offsite Backup - ExtremeTech
- Manage storage in Windows 10 - TechRepublic
- Disk Clean-up utility
- Settings > System > Storage > Local storage > click on the drive letter > click on the category "System & reserved" > Manage system restore
- Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense > Change how we free up space
- Settings > System > Storage > More storage settings > Change where new content is saved
- This doesn't work in Win10-1709 | "Free up space now" has only one button ("Clean now") and no other options.
- Files save to OneDrive by default in Windows 10 - OneDrive
- When your hard disk starts to feel overstuffed, your first option is to tidy up your personal data folders, deleting files you no longer need and archiving others to external storage devices or to the cloud. (Don't forget the Downloads folder, and be sure to empty the Recycle Bin after your housekeeping is complete.)
But that's only the first step in claiming back free disk space. Some of the biggest disk hogs are files that Windows keeps on hand even after a successful update. Old Windows Update files can use multiple gigabytes of space, and a semi-annual feature update can keep tens of gigabytes of old Windows files on hand for weeks to enable recovery features.
You can't recover this disk space using File Explorer. Instead, if you're confident you don't need those old files, you need to use one of two built-in system tools. Run Disk Cleanup Manager (Cleanmgr.exe) as an administrator. Select the Windows Update Cleanup and Previous Windows Installation(s) categories and click OK to free their space. In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Storage, expand the categories under your system (C:) drive and then click Temporary Files. Select either of those same two categories and then click Remove Files to reclaim their space.
- It's World Backup Day: Here's How the ExtremeTech Staff Stays Backed Up - ExtremeTech
- Google Drive, iCloud, Easeus Todo Backup (to NAS), GoodSync, Cloud Station Backup from Synology (to NAS), Dropbox Pro (and Synology Cloud Sync client on my NAS to copy all Dropbox content), IDrive (2TB/US$52/year. 5TB/US$75/year), Backblaze, Mozy, Carbonite
- The Beginner's Guide to PC Backup | PCMag.com
- There's No Excuse for Not Backing Up Your Computer. Do It Now.
- Prepare For The Worst: Disaster Recovery Tips You Need To Use Now - 2012-11-20
- Why You Need To Backup Now And 6 Reasons Why You Haven't Done So Already - 2012-11-17
- 7 ways to back up your data … and save your bacon | IT Business
- Options (where to store the data)
- Physical media = CD/DVD/BD/USB_Flash_Drives
- NAS = Network Attached Storage (wired or Wi-Fi)
- Cloud storage
- Combination of more than one of the above options.
- The critical aspect of ANY backup solution is an off-premises backup.
- Backup Software
- See also -- Storage & Virtual Storage ...
- Get Organized: How to Choose Backup Services and Software You'll Actually Use - PCMag.com
- Online syncing
- Online backup
- Local backup
- iDrive ...
- Windows 10 backup - (File History)
- Macrium Reflect Free
- EaseUS Todo Backup Free
- AskWoody
- Macrium Reflect Free
- EaseUS Todo Backup Free
- Aomei Backupper Free
- Acronis - buggy?
- Paragon
- Full? Incremental? Differential? What Kind of Backup Do I Want? - Ask Leo!
- CNET Download.com | Backup Software for Windows - Free downloads and reviews
- IT Business
- MakeUseOf
- PCMag | ZIFF Davis
- 8 Unlimited Online Backup Plans
- ****
- Backblaze | Online Backup & Data Backup Software | Backblaze - unlimited online (=cloud) data backup - $5/month or $50/year or $95/2years
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Carbonite Online Backup - Part of CrashPlan/Code42? - Home Plan - unlimited online (=cloud) data backup for $59/year
- Carbonite (online backup) - Wikipedia - "due to bandwidth restrictions for uploading data, which limit upload to 2 Mbps for the first 200 GB but then to only 100 Kbps once 200 GB had been exceeded, the backup was not unlimited"
- Warning! - Carbonite's Internet connection (when backing up to Carbonite) is very slow. Carbonite thinks 30GB/week upload is fast.
By my calculation (using my own ISP's 60Mbps download speed and 3Mbps upload speed, 3Mbps=0.3MBps): 0.3MB*60seconds*60minutes*24hours*7days = 181440MB/week = 181.4GB/week
(According to my ISP usage history, I have been able to upload over 30GB/day to other sites.)
Obviously, download speeds (= restoring your backup files) is much faster, perhaps four times faster). This still doesn't seem fast to me.
- Warning! - There are limits to the types of files that will be backed up. Database files will not be backed up (because of data loss when decrypting). Video files must be manually selected.
- Warning - Confusion! - "If you choose not to restore additional backed up data and proceed to resume your backup, any data not restored will be removed from your backup within 30 days." This seems to be saying that if you restore just one or a few files (from your online Carbonite backup), then all of your other backed up files (on Carbonite) will be removed. Really??
- Warning! - Carbonite really slowed down the speed of my system (a Dell Precision T7500 workstation with 12GB RAM).
- "If you move a backed up file to a different location/folder on your internal hard drives, your computer will recognize the file as brand new. Carbonite will also see this as a new file and try to back it up. Consequently, the file will be considered "missing" from the old location, and any versions that were previously backed up from this file at the original location will also be removed from your backup in 30 days." If you forget to mark the files/folders for backup (again), then they won't be backed up.
- Also, it is impossible to keep backups of files/folders that are not part of a current backup set.
- Mirror Image - included in HomePlus Plan - unlimited online (=cloud) backup for $99/year
- Requires a dedicated external USB drive. MirrorImage will format the drive and keep the data in a hidden file. This external drive can not be used for anything else.
- Unlike some others who have complained on various sites, I did not experience any problem when I asked to cancel the account and get a refund. I was asked why I wanted to cancel. I also received an online survey about why I cancelled. The refund was issued promptly.
- CrashPlan/Code42 - USA
- Degoo Cloud - $0/100GB, $36/yr/500GB, $120/yr/10TB
- EaseUS Todo - CH
- FBackup - Backup Program Data & Personal Settings with FBackup
- Google
- iDrive ...
- Macrium Software - UK
- Memeo - Simplify Your Digital Life. | Memeo Autobackup, Memeo Software, Memeo Backup - $32-$86
- MiniTool Software | Best Partition Manager & Data Recovery [Software]
- Mozy - see Carbonite
- Norton - The Importance of Data Back-Up
- NovaBACKUP Backup Products Comparison | NovaBACKUP
- Robocopy
- Second Copy: Secure your data with automatic backup software - $30 - (automatic, compressed, encrypted, to any disk)
- SOS Online Backup | Cloud Backup Software & Solutions from SOS - $80/year/5PCs/50GB or $200/year/5PCs/250GB
- SpiderOak | Online File Sharing & Cloud Backup Software | Private & Secure Data Storage for Business & Home - $10/month/100GB
- SyncBack - Backup your Hard-Drive with SyncBack
- Windows
- File History (=FileHistory) - configure an external storage location, specify what you want to back up, and then turn the feature on. To get started, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup. Under the Back Up Using File History heading, click Add a Drive to select an external drive, such as a USB hard drive. (You can't use the same drive as the one on which your files are stored.)
If you'd prefer to back up to a network location, you'll need to use the old-style Control Panel: Go to System and Security > File History > Select Drive, and click Add Network Location to enter the full UNC path of the shared folder you want to use.
By default, every document folder in your personal profile is included. Click More Options to add or remove folders from this list.
By default, backups of changed files happen once per hour. On the More Options page, you can change that interval and adjust how long Windows keeps your backed-up files available.
- $0F folder - Do not delete the $0F folder. ($0F Dollar-Zero-F is not the same as $OF Dollar-LetterO-F)
- Backup Using Windows File History | IT Services
- It will not erase files and folders previously saved to the drive, as it stores everything in a top level folder named "FileHistory".
- File History will NOT backup anything saved to your SkyDrive (OneDrive) storage, even if they are stored in the libraries File History backs up.
- You can back up additional files by adding them to the Documents library.
- Ask Leo
- What about Windows 10 backup? - Ask Leo!
- Windows 10 backup appears to offer two options: 'File History (Windows 10)' and 'Backup and Restore (Windows 7)'. 'Backup & Restore' is not recommended by Leo.
- File History only backs up Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, Favorites ??
- Files are saved in the "Sync from desktop" folder in the destination drive.
- To include a folder in the FileHistory backup, just add the the Windows "Documents" Library. (Windows File Explore)
- Backup and Restore - Microsoft Windows
- How To Set Up & Use Windows 7 Backup & Restore Feature
- How to back up files with Windows 10's File History | PCWorld
- How To Automate & Schedule Regular Windows 7 Backups
- Windows 7 Features: Backup and Restore
- NTBackUp for Windows-XP-Pro - Windows XP Pro backup utility. XP Pro comes with a backup utility, but it's not installed by default in XP Home. Launch your installation disc and browse to the VALUEADD folder, MSFT folder, and NTBACKUP folder. Once installed, you can choose to back up your entire hard drive or just files and folders you select. The easy-to-use wizard walks you through it.
- Network drives
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- CrashPlan (a Code42 company) - Automatic Online Backup for Home, Business and Enterprise - unlimited online (=cloud) data backup
- Open the CrashPlan desktop application
- CrashPlan for Small Business subscription pricing is based per device, so each month you are billed for the number of active devices in your organization.
- When you remove a computer from your account, the Code42 app stops backing up its files and permanently removes all its backed-up files. If you want to back up the computer again later, you must restart your backup.
- Removing a computer from your account deletes all of its backed-up files. This is permanent and cannot be reversed. Any previously stored backup information is deleted.
- CrashPlan for Small Business Launches New Interface - Code42.v6 | CrashPlan
- Small Business Data Backup & Secure Storage | Crashplan
- Cost
US$10/month/computer - (no annual plan)
- Includes continuous backup, multiple backup sets, serious encryption, and local backup support for external and network drives.
- Allows multiple backup sets from each individual machine.
- The only documentation is in the form of FAQs on the site.
- Support
- Account login
- Code42 enterprise support policy - Code42 Support
- M-F.5h-17h PT | M-F.7h-19h CT
- Code42 - Help Desk
- Code42 Support
- United States: 855-411-4242 (toll-free)
- International: +1 612-333-4242 (opt. 1)
- Chat - M-F.7h-15h PT | M-F.9h-17h CT
- CrashPlan Support
(only for old version 4, CrashPlan Pro)
- Open CrashPlan | Double click the CrashPlan logo in the upper right |
Type: getlogs 999999 (You must replace the 999999 with your current support request number) | Press enter
CrashPlan will automatically zip up your log files and attach them to a ticket (i.e. send the zip automatically to CrashPlan support).
- Managing the account
- Options (in the Code42 tray menu) > "Manage account on the web..." (this is a link at the bottom of the page) > Sign In > Devices > Active > Select the device > Edit (in the little gear menu at the top right of the screen) > Backup Sets (tab) > etc.
- Manage account on the Web: Devices > Active > PC-Name > Gear icon (top right) > Edit > Specify days/times the backup will run > Save
- Replace your device - Code42 Support
- Stop and start the CrashPlan service - Code42 Support
- What should you back up? - Code42 Support
- Cannot connect to background service - Code42 Support
- Adjust Code42 app settings for memory usage with large backups - Code42 Support
- Send CrashPlan for Small Business log files to support - Code42 Support
- Test your network connection - Code42 Support
- Multiple backup sets with a single destination - Code42 Support
- Code42 app reference - Code42 Support
- Memory
- Adjusting CrashPlan Settings For Memory Usage With Large Backups - Code42 Support
- CLI = Command Line Interface
- Adjusting CrashPlan Settings For Memory Usage With Large Backups - Code42 Support - Recommended Solution
- Open the CrashPlan desktop application
- Ctrl+Shift+C
Double-click the CrashPlan logo in the upper-right corner (if you are using the older or Home version of CrashPlan app)
- Enter the following command, using a value appropriate for the size of your backup selection (for example, 1536 for a 1.5 TB selection):
java mx 5120, restart
(1536=1.5GB, 2048=2GB,
5120=5GB)
The CrashPlan app closes
- Open the CrashPlan app and sign in
java mx
(This will tell you the current Code42/CrashPlan memory allocation.)
- (If you are using the older or Home version of CrashPlan app) - To see how much memory CrashPlan currently has allocated, open up "CrashPlan for me", then double-click the icon in the top right of the application. A help/command window should open. In the line available, enter the following:
java mx
then press Enter. This will give you the current memory allocation.
Just keep in mind this is pretty much the ONLY setting that doesn't get retained upon a reinstallation or an adoption, so if you ever need to reinstall CrashPlan or if you get a new device and adopt, you will need to enter this in again.
- If you have backed up 1TB (to CrashPlan), then 1.5GB of RAM is adequate. For 1.5TB, you should allocate 2GB of system memory (RAM).
- Reference info
- Reviews and Comparisons
- Cloud = online backup
- Synchronization software
- See also: Cloning
- In one-way file synchronization, also called mirroring, updated files are copied from a 'source' location to one or more 'target' locations, but no files are copied back to the source location.
In two-way file synchronization, updated files are copied in both directions (bi-directional), usually with the purpose of keeping the two locations identical to each other.
- RAID
- Top Picks
- Comparison of file synchronization software - Wikipedia
- Best Cloud Storage with Sync
- What's the best free file synchronization software for Windows? - gHacks Tech News
- Five cloud sync apps that rise above the rest | TechRepublic - 2013-03-19
- 5 best desktop cloud sync apps - TechRepublic - Insync, Dropbox, Duplicati, GoodSync ($50), Odrive
- *****
- Allway Sync - $0 or Pro $26 (one-time fee)
- Requires using shared folders on the network.
- Limits syncs to 40,000 files per calendar month.
- The Pro version has exactly the same functionality as the free version.
- Allway Sync - Wikipedia
- BitTorrent Sync
- Bvckup 2 - The Portable Freeware Collection - Freeware
- You can only configure one-way sync operations using the program.
- Create Synchronicity - Backup & Sync download | SourceForge.net - Open Source Software
- FreeFileSync
- Open Source Software
- Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility | Gizmo's Freeware
- Unfortunately it only has very basic filters, no auto sync feature, and no direct support for FTP.
- Caution! FreeFileSync is bundled with unwanted components. Users are advised to take special notice of the options available during install to avoid these extras. See our general advisory page for more information.
- One gotcha - Save your sync folders before you run a sync or it drops them when done.
- Beware FreeFileSync!!! Still loads malware. I declined additional software at installation but it still loaded different files - Smartbar, Vosteram, Getnow, Snapdo, Quickshare, changed all browser settings and registry.
- Installation of the malware OpenCandy.
- The program ships with adware. Mystartsearch was offered during test installations and the only option to skip it was to switch from Basic (Recommended) to Advanced and remove the checkmark from the Install Mystartsearch box there before clicking Next.
- Confusing interface. Scheduling is not built-in.
- GoodSync | File Sync & Backup Software - $30 per computer!!
- iDrive ...
- OneDrive (by Microsoft) ...
- SpiderOakONE
- Sync | Secure Cloud Storage — Privacy Guaranteed -|- CA$8/month/2TB
- SyncBack
- DE
- Backup software comparison - SyncBackPro (CA$80), SyncBackSE (CA$60) and SyncBackFree ($0)
- SyncBackFree
- SyncBackPro - 2BrightSparks.com - CDN$80/5devices perpetual licence
- Real time Backup/Sync when files/folders change
- Incremental & Differential backups
- Easily backup, synchronize (both directions), or restore your files to another drive, FTP server, ZIP file, networked drive, or removable media.
- It is possible to define detailed compare options that determine whether files are equal or not based no parameters that you can adjust in the settings.
It is the only program supporting compression and encryption of files, and ftp servers. Another interesting and unique feature it offers is a performance estimation for the profile highlighting settings that may slow down the profile.
- SyncFolders - an easy tool to synchronize or backup your files and folders - Freeware
- Syncovery | File sync & backup software
- Purchasing Syncovery Licences - $100/5computers - Pro Family Pack
- Limited functionality. Unclear about whether real-time monitoring really works. Confusing capabilities. Probably will not do the job the way you want.
- Syncredible - Standard Edition $0, Pro Edition US$40 (Lifetime licence, 1 user, 2 PCs) - Singapore
- Synkron download | SourceForge.net - Open Source Software
- SyncThing - $0 (or $20 donation)
- SyncToy - Use Microsoft's SyncToy for free and simple backup solution
- Cloning your disk | Disk Image | ISO/IMG/etc.
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- Preparation for Backup
- Empty the Recycle Bin
- Delete the browser's Temporary Internet Files
- MSIE > Tools (menu) > Internet Options > General (tab) > Browsing history - Delete (button)
- System Restore applet should be slimmed down
- Right-click on My Computer > Properties > System Restore (tab)
- Uninstall any unnecessary applications
- Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
- Clean up the disk
- Start Menu > Run > CleanMgr