Daily Incremental Backup

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  1. MourningStar
    Posts : 526
    Windows 10 (22H2)
       New #1

    Daily Incremental Backup


    On my pc the C drive hosts windows and programs and D drive hosts my personal, non-system data. I have a few external drives for backup and general storage. I want to begin a 'manual' daily incremental backup regimen of the D drive (I will consider backing up C if your advice compels). I plan to perform this at end of day prior to shutdown. If I understand the term correctly, I will begin with a single, full data backup and proceed, on a daily basis, to 'add' to the backup only new data as well as any files that are modified. At end of each month I will probably copy this backup onto a 'storage drive'. I humbly request suggestions and critique on how to best implement this plan and am open to alternate process. However, the nightly shutdown of the pc is a must.

    -thank you
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  3. f14tomcat
    Posts : 56,830
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       New #2

    What software are you planning to use for this?


    Oh, and a backup of the "C" drive is critical in case of a system failure or other crash scenario requiring a working copy of your system, which resides on drive "C" partition.
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  4. dalchina
    Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #3

    Hi, if you wish to do that using disk imaging, Macrium reflect (paid) provides incremental imaging. Free - differentials only.

    However, as D: is a data drive, you may wish to consider backup programs that support incremental backups, rather than an imaging program.

    Cobian backup (free) is one such:
    CobianSoft - The home of Cobian Backup

    Easeus Todo Backup (free) another:
    EaseUS Todo Backup
    can back up individual files and/or whole folders to

    and from a location on a local drive or network folder, as well as save backups to a free cloud storage service. In addition to particular, custom content, the program can also back up an entire disk, partition, or system drive.

    While scheduling a backup, or once one has completed, you can run an incremental, differential, or full backup on the same data.

    Backups are not readable from Explorer, so you must use EaseUS Todo Backup to view the data
    32 Best Free Backup Software Tools (June 2021)
    Last edited by dalchina; 06 Jun 2021 at 03:02.
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  6. MourningStar
    Posts : 526
    Windows 10 (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    f14tomcat said:
    What software are you planning to use for this?
    preferably a free and 'for dummies' -type s/w.
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  7. f14tomcat
    Posts : 56,830
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       New #5

    MourningStar said:
    preferably a free and 'for dummies' -type s/w.
    dalchina in the post above has listed several apps that would be suitable, so no need to repeat. The one point I would stress is the System on Drive C is critical to back up, no matter what you choose. Your data, of course, is foremost in your mind right now, but you would have great difficulty accessing it without a working system. There is no rule that says you can't have one app for system backup imaging (critical) and another for data folder/file/image backup. You have choices.
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  8. MourningStar
    Posts : 526
    Windows 10 (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Yes, the D drive is foremost priority, as the data on it is more important than the os. Should the os be problematic I can always get to my data with another system and, there is always the system restore or the occasional macrium backup I perform now & then for the os/programs.
    However, this post's intent was to solicit member guidance on best practices for the incremental aspect of backup. Hopefully a pointer to a fundamental tutorial or guide, if no direct input in this post is fortcoming. Fortunately, I've never experienced any catastrophic incidents and do not anticipate any. I think because I've been lucky I feel I've become complacent and simply want to exercise a little more situational discipline. - thank you
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  9. MourningStar
    Posts : 526
    Windows 10 (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Thank you dalchina & f14tomcat for your input. After a review of the available freeware the text indicates that the AOME! utility should fit into my plan.
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  10. MourningStar
    Posts : 526
    Windows 10 (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    One more question regarding 'incremental' backup definition. Here is how I understand it ...

    Day 1 - Full Backup
    Day 2 - only backup of files changed AND added since Day 1
    Day 3 - only backup of files changed AND added since Day 2

    ... and on it goes. Is this correct? -thx
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  12. SIW2
    Posts : 4,588
    several
       New #9

    yes
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  13. f14tomcat
    Posts : 56,830
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       New #10

    MourningStar said:
    One more question regarding 'incremental' backup definition. Here is how I understand it ...

    Day 1 - Full Backup
    Day 2 - only backup of files changed AND added since Day 1
    Day 3 - only backup of files changed AND added since Day 2

    ... and on it goes. Is this correct? -thx
    Correct. That will generally hold true regardless of the software used. It's a general principle.
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