Make a script to back up data and small program files for new computer

Hi, great that you're thinking this through carefully.

I also support my disk images with more frequent data backup (especially my family tree data), using another program.

First, ensure your imaging options actually image all partitions on his disk - it sounds as if it's likely to be legacy BIOS so there may be 3 parititions for the O/S. If there are more for data, consider imaging those too.

Second, consider what you really want from your data backup.
Simply making one-off copies of fixed folders which overwrite the existing ones on your backup disk is a very crude approach which means while you're backing up you may not have a backup copy (other than what's in an image file) depending on what order deletion and creation of the backup files is done.

Do you want this to be simply 1 copy - the most recent? Or versioned backups which allow you to retrieve data from several different dates, and ensures your backup disk always has copies of files that have existed long enough to be backed up?

The program I use is Genie Timeline.
Once I've chosen the folders to be backed up, all I need to do to trigger a new backup is to plug in my backup disk.
It takes just a minute or two in my case.

You say you want the files to be accessible- I've looked at the backup disk, and the file structure is the same as the source, except the files/folders are zipped.

So in that sense, individual data can be accessed.

The program supports versioning, and retrieving data from a backup can be done in file explorer with the program running.

Otherwise, I'm not going to suggest a program- it's really a matter fo finding one you feel comfortable with. I tried several.

You can only backup data not software unless it poetable as it will require DLLs and reg entries

Judy in Texas said:

Thank you dalchina. I looked at the website and there is no manual for the product. I was wondering if I have to list the directories I want to back up each time. That is why I was asking about a script.

No, you set up your selection of files and folders once (and can amend it later).

As I said.... each time I back up all I have to do is plug in the backup disk. That's it... easy peasy...

Oh, the program is frequently given away for free as a lifetime license. Try
Giveaway Genie Timeline Home 10 Serial Key Free Lifetime

E.g. Bitsdujour, winningpc.com... just need to be lucky.

I'm sure you'll find something suitable..

A simple script would NOT provide versioning, and would be harder to amend.

Genie9 Support | Manuals | Backup and Restore Solutions - Software Support
(I searched for
genie timeline manual
)

Current version is 10.

GUI


Browsable versioned backup integrated with file explorer... date of backups from the row of round buttons..


Or you might prefer something like
Simple Data Backup - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Simple Data Backup use a proprietary backup format?

A: NO! While Simple Data Backup does have the ability to restore from all backups it creates, the backups themselves are completely non-proprietary. This means you never have to worry about not being able to access the data or restore from it. The default backup format (Direct File Copy) is actually just a filesystem duplication (a straight file/folder copy). Other format options include backing up to .ZIP files or LZMA/LZMA2 compressed .7z files, both of which can be optionally password-protected. Both .ZIP and .7z files can be opened with several third-party utilities.

- just a matter of searching and trying... until you find something you feel comfortable with.

However, some small utilities are stand-alone, and I thought it would be great to just have these copied

- only true of truly portable programs...