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Introduction
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Most people know they should backup their important files, and most plan to, but it seems that it is one of those things that often gets put off, until sometimes it's too late. One reason it gets put off is because of the time and difficulty involved in backup procedure. A good backup program should make this task as simple and painless as possible. If you are reading this article it is likely you already know the importance of backing up your files and have come looking for some software that will help you do just that without having to spend a lot of time learning how to use it. To appeal to the average user, a backup program should have a wizard or step by step guide that takes them through the process of backing up their files. Then they should be able to set it and forget it, and have confidence that it will continue to work behind the scenes to protect their data. As I reviewed more than a dozen backup solutions I looked for ease of use, a scheduler, support for backing up to local and online storage, verification of backup archives, and an easy to use restore function. |
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| You should also check out the categories Best Free Folder Synchronization Program, and Best Free Drive Imaging Program which are simular are other types of backup programs. |
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1.5 
Commercial Giveaway 
Win 98 or later
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The new version of Titan has a slightly worrying clause in its EULA relating to allowing it to phone home for unspecified reasons at various times. I'm less than convinced that I want to let this happen and therefore -- regretfully -- suggest either sticking with the last version of Titan or switching to one of the alternatives.
Fbackup isn't quite as feature rich as Titan/GFI but has a capable scheduler (which was my main reason for using Titan originally) and I've switched to it -- I'll come back and tell you if it lets me down!
If you don't care about schedulers or are happier rolling your own, Toucan's under pretty much constant development and, although it's not quite as intuitive as the others, can be run from the commandline and therefore the Windows Scheduler can be used to push it around while you're in bed. (It can also handle file and folder synchronisation, which is my main use for it.)
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR TITAN BACKUP USERS:
According to an email received earlier today from GFI Software, Titan Backup will no longer be developed, and will be replaced by GFI Backup.
Here is the complete contents of that message.
-------------------------------------------
Dear Titan Backup user,
We would like to inform you of some important changes to Titan Backup.
GFI Software has been working with Titan for some time and has made significant investments in the technology, which it has now re-launched under GFI. GFI will continue making major investments in this technology.
We would like to inform you that GFI Backup 2009 – Home Edition has now been launched. This version is being offered as full-featured FREEWARE for PC home users.
GFI Backup has retained all the functionality you are accustomed to in Titan Backup and also includes additional feature and improvements*. We invite you to try out GFI Backup 2009 – Home Edition, which you can download from: http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm.
Please note that you cannot back up with the Titan Backup version and restore with the GFI version. Also, you cannot import your settings from Titan Backup to GFI Backup, as there have been major changes to the configuration file formats.
You therefore need to install GFI Backup and reconfigure, as follows: Download and use GFI Backup 2009 – Home Edition, and run a new back up of your existing files, re-creating your backup and synchronization tasks as needed. We highly recommend this option.
Alternatively, if you choose to back up with your Titan Backup product or you need to restore your files so they can then be backed up with GFI Backup you can:
manually restore files backed up with the Titan Backup product; or
use the latest build of the Titan Backup product (v2.5.0.117); to get this version, please email eblaga@gfi.com – it is not available on the GFI website.
Both Titan Backup and GFI Backup can be installed on the same machine.
There will be no further development of the Titan Backup product. GFI Backup replaces this product and we will only enhance and maintain the GFI Backup product.
For support issues related to GFI Backup – Home Edition, please visit our support forums.
You can find more information about GFI Backup 2009 and other GFI products on our website: http://www.gfi.com/.
Thank you,
The GFI Software team
Titan Backup is now in version 2.5 and has been renamed to GFI and is now really freeware for everyone: http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm/
GFIbackup Home Edition is NOT freeware for everyone. It appears to only work on the HOME EDITIONS of windows. ie NOT Vista Ultimate or XP Pro. I suggest you check the forums before installing.
They claim it works on: "Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional SP2, SP3 (x86 and the x64 versions) and all editions of Windows Vista except for Vista Starter (x86 and the x64 versions)." (http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm/backup-hm-features.htm)
But it's always a good idea to check the support forums first.
Came across this recently. http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm/free-backup-software/
Appears to be a rebadged Titan.
Hi,
Has anyone tried to uninstall Titan Backup? I get the error “Could not open INSTALL.LOG file” and I cannot uninstall it.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Here is Titan support reply
Thank you for contacting us.
This is a Wise installer issue that appears only on some computers. If you do an Internet search you will find that you are not the only one that came across this problem when installing various software built with Wise installer.
Some quick fixes for this problem would be:
1. Go to the Titan Backup installation folder (usually C:\Program files\Titan Backup) and check if the files "install.log" and "unwise.exe" are there. If they are, drag the file "install.log" over "unwise.exe" with the mouse and release the mouse button. Please let us know if one of these files is missing.
2.
a) select Start->Run
b) click the Browse button
c) find "unwise.exe" in the Titan Backup installation folder (usually C:\Program files\Titan Backup\unwise.exe), click OK in the "Browse" window
d) after that you should see in the Run window the following: "C:\Program files\Titan Backup\unwise.exe"
e) edit this line, so it looks like: "C:\Program files\Titan Backup\unwise.exe" install.log (after "the path" put a space and type install.log)
f) click OK in Run window
3. Copy the "install.log" file from the Titan Backup installation folder to your desktop. Then delete the "install.log" file from the original location. Now run the "unwise.exe" and this should prompt you for the "install.log" file location. So, just point it to your desktop, then highlight and open.
If you still have problems, then you can simply manually delete the files.
The second fix solved the problem. Congratulations to Titan for their quick and effective support, even for a free software and when a user wants to uninstall it.
Synkron (http://synkron.sourceforge.net/) is yet another free alternative - worth a look at and try.
A similar one, maybe not as good, is ozSync:
http://nebula1979.fortunecity.it/
All the best from bRaZiL. ;)
Cobian is not as reliable as many people seem to think with issues in some configurations leading to empty folders.
File Hamster doesn't respond to documents scanned into Paperport.
SyncBackSE has been the most reliable, easiest to configure for me.
Hello - thanks for all the info -- a bit daunting all the mentions of various backup systems that diff peeps prefer so not sure what I need.
I have a laptop - 60 gig hd -- XP media ed svc pack 2 (if that matters). I need to back up the entire hd -- so want something that is super easy that I can just say -- "back up the C drive" and "desktop" and the backup program will back up everything including active/running apps/open files onto DVD's and prompt me when to insert the next DVD and so on so basically, idiot proof, thorough, reliable and, well, in a perfect world, fail safe :)
Additionally, I need to create a boot disc - (and imaging disc?), another topic, I realize, but apparently related from what I've been reading. I am unclear about first creating things like a restore point.
There is a "restore" drive D on my computer -- so when I do a total back up of my HD, would I back this up separately?
Thanks your your advice and the great site.
Best Free Registry Backup Tool.
In addition to the Tools mentioned on this page, Registry Back is vital and a life saver when Viruses/Spyware infiltrates your Registry. Additionally, when installing software that you want to test, that you know is not Spyware, backing up your Registry is very important. Choosing to do System Restore is time consuming for testing out software, that is why I recommend ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT), Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP/Vista.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
Also check out NTREGOPT, (NT Registry Optimizer, Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP/Vista. This software defrags your Registry.
I recommend these programs to anyone. They are simple to use, and the backup of Windows Files are the same format as the existing system files.
Definately a "MUST HAVE" system utility.
Hi all.
When it comes to backup the top choice here at gizmo is Titan and FBackup which are completely free. On the other hand there's also a free backup solution "Comodo Backup" which is not mentioned on this site at all. I recently look at the "Best Firewall" section and Comodo Firewall was the top choice...so why not use the Comodo Backup?
Can any body tell me which one of them is better and does the job well, since they are both free?
P.S. Any chance of a review to determine which one of them is better.
Thanks.
Comodo Backup was only a beta (not full release) and now it is discontinued because the new version called something like "time machine" will be coming out soon and I heard they will try to incorporate it into CIS. I can't wait!
In relation to #30. Is this really just an older version as it does not allow incremental or differential backups.
try comodo backup
acronis the best
I bought this program and it caused me to have to redo my computer 3 times.
After install and restart I got a black screen saying Acronis Loading - then nothing.
Even tech support could not help. Luckily they refunded my money.
I've been using Paragon Drive Backup 6.0 then 7.0 - 8.0 - 8.5 and now upgraded to version 9.0. I am pretty satisfied the way it works and saves the hair on my head in case of system crash. I know that they have free solution too: http://www.paragon-software.com/downloads/free_downloads.html
If anyone needs free and reliable backup solution then this would be very useful. Another software I like is R-Drive Image but it has no free versions as far as I know.
Recently, just for the reason of curiosity I did try Acronis True Image, it seemed to be powerful product with Vista like interface but!!! But its installation screwed up my well functioning system. Moreover it would not like uninstall. I wrote to support - got no feedback. Not good. Had to restore from Drive Backup made image. So I'll stick with the software that proved its reliability one more time.
Paragon Drive Backup is really a disk imaging program rather than a backup type program, so it should be reviewed in that category. What I have seen of their free express version it seems to be very limited.
-Ritho
(Editor)
I'm a great fan of this site and use it weekly. However, it must be borne in mind that sometimes the best program/appliaction to use, is simply the one you feel most comfortable with.
I spent a long time evaluating many backup programs and in my opinion there is little to choose between them all.
I still use Karen's Replicator, as I have done for some years now. I love the ability to put a shortcut to each backup job on my desktop. However it is very 80's in it's design and soemone who hasn't used it before might well thinks it is aged in it's abilities too, which it's not.
I try other programs with varying degrees of success. Syncback and others had failings for me, whilst Karen's Replicator will be either a syncing tool or a backup, as you prefer.
So whilst the reviews are excellent and worthwhile, remember it's only your own preference sometimes that makes the difference.
No doubt you are right, and everyone's needs are different. For example I do a lot of photography and have created a work flow to archive my photos just the way I want them. The only trouble is I have not found a single program that backs them up just the way I want, so I use a couple of different backup solutions to archive my pics.
My challenge here is to recommend backup solutions with functions that will meet the needs of the widest user group possible. Some who read these software reviews are capable of using just about any program no matter how difficult or complex it may be, but for the greatest portion of our readers they would like something that does most of the work for them. They just want to click a button and be done. Obliviously backups can probably never be made that simple unless you are backing up everything. But the easier it is for the average user to use and understand the more chance it will be listed here.
-Ritho
(editor)
I quite agree with you comments on this topic, in addition to that I'd like you to take a look at Comodo Backup. Comodo's firewall is highly recommend, so why not use their backup solution?
I reviewed each back up program on their respective websites, but I couldn't find information on a couple of features I wanted. First, do any of the programs allow for one single file or folder to be copied regardless of any changes in its properties (size, date of modification). This would be helpful if a file has been encrypted as a file vault. Secondly, do any of these programs back up in incremental fashion (replacing only modified files, deleting old files, adding new files), but ask if the user before deleting old files? I use EZbackitup now and it doesn't ask.
Hi
Recently had a look at Datasafe: http://sofgem.com/products/datasafe.html - which seems exceptionally capable, has a very clean interface and is well thought out.
Any chance of a review?
Thanks,
Tim / UKtech.
Thanks for alerting me to this. I will check it out.
-Ritho
(Editor)
SyncBack is excellent. Should be mentioned here.
SyncBack is not a Backup utility, it's a syncronisation utility. SyncBack is mentioned in the category "Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility"
It's a backup program and a synchronization program. It belongs in both categories.
Wrong: In SyncBack (or its paying version SyncBackSE), you can do backups as well.
I've used SyncBack, the free version, for years as my backup program. Highly recommend it!
I totally agree with those who think SyncBack is great! It is very flexible and easy to use. I use it both as a backup tool onto a server at work and also as a synch tool onto a USB stick that I can then recover onto my home PC. The problem with many synch progs is that they do that, they synchronize. I rarely would want to do that. If I delete a file at work I don't want the tool to put it back again because it happens to be on my data stick. SyncBack can also be used in the same way for maintaining web sites through its' ftp function. Finally, I have never, ever had this prog fail! Excellent bit of kit.
jaback is an excellent backup program and its free
http://www.hiteksoftware.com/jaba/
Thanks. I will check it out.
-Ritho
(Editor)
what kind of file space does the backup take?
I am unsure how to answer your question. The backup size would depend on how many files you are backing up. If you use compression, then the files would take up less space than the originals. The only exception to this would be when you are backing up things that are already compressed, like jpg pictures and such.
-Ritho
Is there also SyncBackSE at http://www.2brightsparks.com/ i use everyday, check out.
SyncBackSE does not seem to be freeware. On this site it's all about freeware.
There is a free version of SyncBack though. It's mentioned in the "Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility" category
The free version is all you need.
Karen's stuff is excellent. It even works on 64-bit Vista (at least, replicator). However, I haven't yet figured out how to use it on a USB drive so I can sync office files (which don't allow installed files, eg, VBrun) with thumb drive with home pc
Great service this! (1) Would someone please enlighten me on the difference between a "Backup in the usual sense" and a "Backup using SyncToy or Goodsync." I keep an exterior HDD of 350 GB and have always used SyncToy to make an "Echo" backup (kept up to date) of my entire hard drive, and thought that was sufficient in case of a disaster. (2) If you DO have a disaster, will a Sync backup suffice to return your PC to normal? If so, how is it done? Simply swapping right and left folders, or what? (3) My Outlook Express will print only the heading of an opened message. If the message is still in the pane view, only the address bar of the pane viewer is printed. How do I get the entire message to print? Thank you.
Good question!
(1) Backup programs and synchronization programs are siblings really. They may be more specialized in their particular focus, but many Backups programs will perform the task of a sync program, and vice-versa. They both preform file replication. The technical difference is that sync programs perform two-way or bi-directional replication, and backup programs perform one-way replication. Sync programs are especially designed to keep to sets of files in perfect sync. If you delete a file in one place it will be deleted in the other, rename in one place, it will be renamed in the other, move it to a different folder, it will be moved in the other, etc. (This is handy for people who use a desktop at work, and want to have identical working files on a laptop to take home.
(2) It depends on the type of disaster you are talking about, and the type of backups you have. If you have an operating system (OS) meltdown, and all you have is your working files (files you have created) backed up, it will not be enough to return your system to normal. If you have backups of system files, and your registry, it may be enough. If a virus digs too deep the only choice may be a reinstall of your OS unless you have a disk image. Disk imaging programs make exact copies of you hard drive or partitions. If you have a Disk image of your system drive or drives, even if you have to replace a drive with a new one, you can re-image the drive and be backup and running in very little time compared to having to reinstall your OS, drivers, and programs.
In any of the above cases if you have your working files backed up, you won't have lost your valuable data, documents, and pictures, etc., because you can restore them back on your drive once you are up and running again.
(3) Please ask this question in the forum, as it is off topic.
-Ritho
(Editor)
Great answer! Thank you Ritho. NOW I Understand. Much obliged for the comprehensive, and swift, reply.
I know it's not free, but I've used Carbonite for awhile now... and love it. Are any of these free programs truly better?
Hi Guys,
I tried Comodo Backup which seems to work fine. It has a restore function.
Only problem is that I cannot make all backups using a single backup command
E.
I tested Comodo Backup. It works fine. It just didn't make the list.
-Ritho
(Editor
The fact that Cobian Backup does not have a Restore option is often cited in terms of this being a disadvantage when in fact it is not. Cobian does not use a proprietary format when creating archives so no Restore option is required as the archived files created by Cobian in either SQX or ZIP format can be opened with pretty much any archiving utility.
As there is also an encryption option it cannot be said that Cobian is not secure (to the extent that any encryption process is secure.)
I cannot recall having seen this fact pointed out anywhere in articles I have read about Cobian, yet it should be pointed out.
Cobian is also not difficult to use...no more so than any software or system utilities are for users who struggle to use and/or understand even Windows Explorer....and I have seen this many times.
Peter Wills
BCA Services Plus
www.bcaservices.com.au
Thanks for your comments Peter. Your points are taken! (See changes to review above)
-Ritho
(Editor)
Thanks Ritho........that was a quick reply. It was just my two cents worth but I felt it should be pointed out.
Peter Wills
BCA Services Plus
www.bcaservices.com.au
Is it really appropriate to put a giveaway software first? It's not really free...