Automatically backing up essential files / settings

There is no easy way of just backing up settings or app data.

It is just easier to make a full image backup using tool like Macrium Reflect Frer or similar.

loungebob said:

how do you guys do it?

Manually, because Windows just is not there yet like smartphones are, hopefully one day.
You can move profiles via symlinks to gdrive, but you would need a script to do it on every PC.

Code:

rem For example Edge's profile

taskkill /im msedge.exe /f
takeown /s %computername% /u %username% /f "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge" /r /d y
xcopy "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge" "D:\OneDrive" /s /i /y
rd "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge" /s /q
mklink /d "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge" "D:\OneDrive"

This Windows Backup is a joke, it does not even restore my wallpaper nor backed up apps for crying out loud.

Hello @loungebob,

For what you are wanting, use something like Macrium Reflect . . .

 Macrium Reflect - Imaging & Backup

Macrium Reflect is a trusted and recommended source that is widely used in this forum, therefore, there is plenty of help available for ANY questions or advice if needed.

Download > Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition

Quote from their website . . .

FREE Edition

A free back up, disk imaging, and cloning solution capable of meeting the needs of both commercial and personal users.

Protect your data, upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems safe in the knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file. Macrium Reflect supports back up to local, network, and USB drives, and is licensed for both home and business use.

> Macrium Reflect User Guide - PDF
> Macrium Reflect KnowledgeBase
> How to Create and Restore a System Image Backup with Macrium Reflect - TenForums

NOTE: The FREE Edition also provides the ability to Mount the image file and Explore the contents.

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 Alternatives - Imaging & Backup

Other Backup options [ Software ] available . . .

Software:

This Software is listed in alphabetical order as opposed to relevance order.

> Acronis True Image - PAID
> AOMEI Backupper Standard Edition - Free Backup Software for Windows - FREE
> EaseUS ToDo Backup - FREE
> FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization & Backup Software - FREE
> Karen's Replicator - Backup Utility - FREE
> NovaBackup - PAID
> Paragon Backup & Recovery - FREE
> Second Copy Automatic Backup Software - PAID
> SyncBackFree: Backup and Synchronization Software - FREE
> SyncToy - MS Download Centre - FREE

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For backing up folders and files etc, use something like RoboCopy, XCopy, Batch Script, PowerShell, etc

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I hope this helps.

John035 said:

I had a similar problem, and I needed to save my files regularly. So, upon researching forums, I came across a third-party tool that you will have to download and install. It’s called EaseUS Todo Backup.
As you can judge by the name, the tool is for backing up files. Remember, you will have to make an account after you download and install the tool. So, sign up for the EaseUS cloud service from the top-right corner.

Once you sign up, just click on Add Backup from the left side of the tool.

And that’s it. But, I’ve only used it for smaller files, say around 10MB at max. So, if you’re looking to back up more, you’ll have to find out on your own.
Hope this helped!

You do not need to create an account - that is only needed for cloud service.

As an aside, this tool is well known here, and very recently Easeus generously gave 100 free pro licences away to members of this (and eleven) forum.