Best backup program?

Over the years I've used Acronis, Shadow Protect, EaseUS & Macrium Reflect. Acronis is buggy. EaseUS has a pretty UI but I wouldn't bet on it.

In my case only 2 backup programs have stood the test of time i.e. Shadow Protect Desktop and Macrium Reflect Pro/Home. Shadow Protect is comparatively expensive @ nearly $100 a license. While Macrium is $69 per license and 139.9 for the 4 license home use/"family"pack

Also, Macrium has the ability for the user to deactivate/reactivate at will (prior to a fresh install of Windows for example. SP has a deactivation limit after which you need to contact their Support for help. SP is more focussed on enterprise customers than individuals.

Go with Macrium Reflect Home (I have the home pack) or the free version with your eyes closed. I've been using it for over 4 years now and it's NEVER let me down.

Hi,

+1 For Macrium Reflect free. Never fails and if it should fail, check your hardware first.

Yes, it is free.

Cheers,

I use Free File Sync (it's free/donation) for my personal files (Documents, Pictures etc.). Easy to set up and use. Reliable and customisable. It is possible to create a single setting for the entire contents of a drive to be backed up to an external USB drive in one operation, but it can also backup single folders. One rare feature is the ability to allow disc names such as "Backup-01" (rather than drive letters) to be used. This gets over the crazy way Windows shuffles drive letters around, which could be disastrous for a backup program.

I tried Acronis but its manual did not correspond with what my monitor was showing. Also complex to use.

I use Windows Backup and Restore routine to backup the System, and make a System Image, every day. Making a Recovery Drive is also an other good way to re-install Windows when (like many people these days) you don't have a standalone installer for it.

FreeFileSync - Free Backup and File Synchronization Software

OP: Thank you all. Going with Macrium. I'll check the differences between free and paid versions.

cereberus said:

Agreed, additionally

Macrium - free

Acronis - not free


Need we say more?

Some backup software from disk manufacturers is 'free' and based on Acronis products so beware. One example is Acronis True Image WD Edition - see http://support.wdc.com/downloads.asp...dsfWDSmartWare

"or the free version with your eyes closed"

Thanks for your extensive reply. What do you mean by the phrase "with your eyes closed"?

Curious said:

Acronis TI can see these mounted volumes but the early versions are not compatible with W10 and I've heard bad things about its recent versions.

what early versions are not compatible?? I am using Acronis 2011 to make backups. Only thing with Acronis 2011 is that the recovery disc does not support GPT (UEFI), for that a later version is needed....

Acronis TI, the latest versions, has a bunch of problems. Not with the backing up but with the restoring itself. I have had TI 2014 and restoring a drive is a nightmare. Don't know for sure but from what I hear that has not improved with the youngest versions...