Freeware Windows Backup Software

AirCooledHeaven

Hi

Can anyone recommend a free backup program for a non techie user. It needs to be simple, need as few clicks as possible, and as little techie jargon as possible.

Just spent a few hours recovering a neighbour's PC with a failed hard drive, they never made a backup of anything so it was a bit of a nightmare. I've told them they must back up regularly but I know they won't unless it is absolutely easy-peasy to understand and use.

Thanks

GunJack

best things for this are imaging sw, like macrium reflect free or acronis true image free. Makes replacing a knackered hdd a doddle

aerostar

Good comprehensive backup auto or manual
http://www.cobiansoft.com/index.htm

Simpler program. Filefort auto or manual
There is a free version of Filefort located here, look for the FREE version.
http://www.nchsoftware.com/backup/

As with all programs do a custom install if available, and untick any items not wanted.

Jivesinger

GunJack wrote: »

best things for this are imaging sw, like macrium reflect free or acronis true image free. Makes replacing a knackered hdd a doddle

I use Macrium Reflect Free which has suited my needs so far. (For all I know Acronis is good too, but I've not used a version of it for many years.)

Edit: One thing which Macrium does, and I imagine the others too, is invite the user to make bootable rescue media, so that if the disk dies totally, you can still boot the computer on the replacement disk and restore files and the operating system. It's important to make this bootable drive/ disk, usually on a USB stick these days.

henm2

Macrium reflect free is good for this. I have also successfully used clonezilla.

I_have_spoken

Windows 7 and upwards has inbuilt backup within COntrol Panel

Jivesinger

I_have_spoken wrote: »

Windows 7 and upwards has inbuilt backup within COntrol Panel

It's in Windows 8 but disappeared in Windows 8.1. You can do a full system image (hidden in File History) but the Backup (and importantly Restore) options disappeared.

I think the Backup option came back in Windows 10, but for how long...?

LazyD

You need to know a little about what you're doing, ie. what is being backed up and where to, and what type of backup.

Cobian backup is now unsupported but completely free and should be able to do what you need:
http://files.cobiansoft.com/programz/cbSetup.exe

.

Knarf44

Some good choices already mentioned but for anyone who may be technophobic the user interfaces can be quite busy and possibly a bit intimidating if you've never tried a back up program before.

For complete novices at backing up using image files I generally suggest they start with AOMEI's Backupper program:

http://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html

It has a simple interface and can do everything the other programs mentioned do. Do note that the program comes in two download sizes, the bigger file includes the Recovery Program you'll need to create on a usb stick or dvd. In the event your HD fails after physically replacing it, you boot from the usb/dvd and the recovery program will start and allow you to reload your last image file (from an ext hd) to your new HD.

virgo17

LazyD wrote: »

Cobian backup is now unsupported but completely free and should be able to do what you need:
http://files.cobiansoft.com/programz/cbSetup.exe
.

Cobian Backup also has a Volume Shadow Copy setting, which means that it will correctly backup files which are actually in use at the time. Most backup solutions will baulk when they come across a file which is being used by another application and the backup will be incomplete.

I have used Cobian for many years and it is a shame that it is no longer supported, although the domain has been sold to another developer it seems. It has served me well for a long time and continues to do so.

henm2

For cloning and disk imaging using clonezilla the following guide is clear and helpful.

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/clonezilla.html