Inexpensive software for synching backup

BooJewels

I habitually back up my files every few days to several external HDDs that basically just mirror my data - plus each individual computer in my small network has the same data too. At present, I use Total Commander and like how it works, it's ideal for me. I've no particular desire to change.

But my husband has his own laptop and I've found it tricky backing up his data as he likes to move things to organise it. For example, he's looking for a job, so has a directory for each job he applies for with copies of all emails, applications, letters etc. He then moves that directory, depending on whether he gets an interview or didn't get the job etc. That habit doesn't fit well with the way I tend to organise things.

So I'm looking for recommendations for an application to back up his data to his own external drive or usb stick, that will work better with his data handling habits. Just so that at any one time he has a back up that reflects his data and how he's organised it - if I need to restore it or put it on a new computer, as I've just done. Hopefully, an inexpensive or free one.

He's using Windows 10. At the moment, his data is in his own sub-directory of the main domestic directory, so I might need to move it to his own main root directory, so that it comes out of my usual filing system and can be treated in isolation. I'd like an app that can work on demand, rather than being scheduled or working constantly, so we can just fire it up periodically to make a back up.

wongataa

FreeFileSync should do what you want.

Tom99

wongataa wrote: »

FreeFileSync should do what you want.

Yes that's what I use, a mirror back-up where you only need to copy over the files added or altered since your last back-up takes less than 10sec for me.
I also have it set up to create a separate 'history' back-up where nothing at all is deleted and if a file has changed since the last back-up a separate dated file is created on the back-up

BooJewels

Thank you both very much. I'm just popping out, but will give that a try later. I prefer, when there's so much available, to get the input of people who actually use something, otherwise I'd just have to engage in a bit of trial and error.

A quick look at the screen shots it looks very similar to Total Commander that I already use - will it cope with moved directories as well as updated files? I'm hoping so, as the 'Synchronize' button has the word 'mirror' on it too.

wongataa

BooJewels wrote: »

Thank you both very much. I'm just popping out, but will give that a try later. I prefer, when there's so much available, to get the input of people who actually use something, otherwise I'd just have to engage in a bit of trial and error.

A quick look at the screen shots it looks very similar to Total Commander that I already use - will it cope with moved directories as well as updated files? I'm hoping so, as the 'Synchronize' button has the word 'mirror' on it too.

It is fine with moved directories.

esuhl

wongataa wrote: »

FreeFileSync should do what you want.

I was going to suggest that too! It works brilliantly.


Just make sure you have the sync setting set correctly so you don't accidentally delete anything.

Heedtheadvice

Unless you want software (like mentioned above) that copies/backsup every file that is changed (i.e. includes system/app files) then one needs to be a bit organised to easily locate and copy data files only.


One scheme I use is to keep all data files under a folder structufe called "data" straight off the drive(s) roots. In that case everything under that top level folder can be backed up using the scheme of your choice and is thus independant of the particular operating system.


It is not complicated by FTP, comparisons and search like Total Commander or have the 'manual' sync/compare options of Freefilesync but IMHO Reflect is the best free backup/recovery app available that is common and well supported.



I and several others use Macrium Reflect free version. You can do manual backups, set repeated 'standard' backups, schedule automatic backups (that fail softly such as when a laptop is not network connected) plus lots more.
Such as creating a disaster recovery boot disk, backup operating system, individual disks and partitions.


Very flexible but still simple and easy to drive!

stragglebod

Syncovery is good, more features and easier to use than FreeFileSync but pricey
https://www.syncovery.com/

BigAl94

Have you tried using the backup facility built into W10? Control panel - Update and security - Backup.

DoaM

I use SyncToy to do my backups. It has different modes you can apply ... e.g. Mirror or Contribute ... I tend to use Contribute so that files deleted from the master folder are retained within the backup folder.

debitcardmayhem

DoaM wrote: »

I use SyncToy to do my backups. It has different modes you can apply ... e.g. Mirror or Contribute ... I tend to use Contribute so that files deleted from the master folder are retained within the backup folder.

Plus one for that, it is all about the strategy of the user, if the other half wants to be disorganised then the problem is theirs.
Of course I use Linux so i use soft links, which can be used in windows too