Question Exists a software/tool that enable do a "smart" copy/paste by only adding the new files? (Backup purposes)

[Manuel Jordan]

Hello

For either Windows 10 or 11 (and even for Linux)

1) Suppose you have an external SSD of 2TB with already 1.5 TB as backup done in one copy/paste action
It for example at 15 September of the current year,

2) Later at 15 October of the same year you already did many changes in the original source, add more files as photos, documents, videos etc. in many places as the current directories and new directories.

So you need to do a second backup

*Question*

Exists a software/tool that enable do a "smart" copy/paste by only adding the new files?

It to be reflected to all the current and new directories

 

[Lafong]

Most backup software does that as far as I know.

That is....any file modified or deleted on the source drive after September 15 would likewise be modified or deleted when the backup is run again on October 15. And files created after Sept 15 would be copied to the backup drive on October 15.

BUT...........I wouldn't call it a "copy/paste action". You create a "profile" to do what you want and "run" the profile as you see fit with a mouse click or two. Monthly or hourly or whenever.

 

[USAFRet]

Hello

For either Windows 10 or 11 (and even for Linux)

1) Suppose you have an external SSD of 2TB with already 1.5 TB as backup done in one copy/paste action
It for example at 15 September of the current year,

2) Later at 15 October of the same year you already did many changes in the original source, add more files as photos, documents, videos etc. in many places as the current directories and new directories.

So you need to do a second backup

*Question*

Exists a software/tool that enable do a "smart" copy/paste by only adding the new files?

It to be reflected to all the current and new directories

This is specifically what Macrium Reflect does, with Incremental or Differential images.

A Full drive image, followed by a series of Inc or Diff Images.
It only takes the difference between the most recent Incremental (Incrementals), or the most recent Full Image (Differentials)

That is the basis for my entire backup routine.

 

[Manuel Jordan]

Thanks for the replies

Lafong

BUT...........I wouldn't call it a "copy/paste action". You create a "profile" to do what you want and "run" the profile as you see fit with a mouse click or two. Monthly or hourly or whenever.

The tool should be used for my uncle. Thus it should be simple

USAFRet

This is specifically what Macrium Reflect does, with Incremental or Differential images.

A Full drive image, followed by a series of Inc or Diff Images.
It only takes the difference between the most recent Incremental (Incrementals), or the most recent Full Image (Differentials)

That is the basis for my entire backup routine.

Thanks for that recommendation about "https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree" (is that one right?)

Just being curious: How long have you been using that tool?

Just in case for the audience, in other network was suggested/mentioned "https://freefilesync.org"

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for that recommendation about "https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree" (is that one right?)

Just being curious: How long have you been using that tool?

Just in case for the audience, in other network was suggested/mentioned "https://freefilesync.org"

FreeFileSync (and SyncBackFree) operate at the file level.
I used to use those.

Macrium is mostly for the whole drive or partition.
I've been using it for several years, and have used it to recover from a physical secondary drive fail, and to recover the OS drive due to nasty software.

But, Macrium is no longer "free", except for a 30 day trial.