Question Need to backup my HDD and SSD

[methix0r]

i need a good software program to backup my ssd and hdd to an external drive i have, i dont want to put it in the cloud

 

[lvt]

i need a good software program to backup my ssd and hdd to an external drive i have, i dont want to put it in the cloud

It's about simple folders and files or it involves system disk (full OS backup)?

 

[methix0r]

It's about simple folders and files or it involves system disk (full OS backup)?

entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything,my second pc is 10+ years old it is going to die soon so need to get everything of both my disk drives

 

[lvt]

entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything,my second pc is 10+ years old it is going to die soon so need to get everything of both my disk drives

Try EasyUS, I have used it for a while, I didn't explore all the functions but from what I remember it has scheduled backup included in the FREE edition.

https://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-free.html

 

[Lafong]

entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything,my second pc is 10+ years old it is going to die soon so need to get everything of both my disk drives

Your personal data may be irreplacable...if your drive dies, you'd likely lose it all and couldn't get it back at any cost.

Windows is easily replaced. Most applications are easily replaced. All a "system backup" does is save you the time required to reinstall and maybe some money.

So...I'd prioritize personal data backup and do that today by a simple drag and drop copy if nothing else. There are also a bunch of free programs designed to back up personal data only.

You can use an application like Macrium Reflect Free Edition to back up "everything", including Windows, installed applications, and personal data. It's a fine program, but not the slickest tool for personal data backup...in my opinion.

 

[USAFRet]

entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything,my second pc is 10+ years old it is going to die soon so need to get everything of both my disk drives

Macrium Reflect.

Full drive images, off to some other storage device.

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[methix0r]

Your personal data may be irreplacable...if your drive dies, you'd likely lose it all and couldn't get it back at any cost.

Windows is easily replaced. Most applications are easily replaced. All a "system backup" does is save you the time required to reinstall and maybe some money.

So...I'd prioritize personal data backup and do that today by a simple drag and drop copy if nothing else. There are also a bunch of free programs designed to back up personal data only.

You can use an application like Macrium Reflect Free Edition to back up "everything", including Windows, installed applications, and personal data. It's a fine program, but not the slickest tool for personal data backup...in my opinion.

so copy pasting the drive will work?

 

[USAFRet]

so copy pasting the drive will work?

NO.

What are you actually looking to do?

 

[methix0r]

NO.

What are you actually looking to do?

backup entire drive and all data i saw someone say above that copy pasting the drive will work

 

[USAFRet]

backup entire drive i saw someone say above that copy pasting the drive will work

If you want an actual full drive backup, that can be used to recover to a new drive, or in the aftermath of a nasty virus....simple copy/paste will not work.
There is a lot of stuff in your C drive that you do not see nor have access to.

The above mentioned and linked Macrium Reflect will do this.

If you just want to copy your personal files, that is a whole different thing.

 

[methix0r]

If you want an actual full drive backup, that can be used to recover to a new drive, or in the aftermath of a nasty virus....simple copy/paste will not work.
There is a lot of stuff in your C drive that you do not see nor have access to.

The above mentioned and linked Macrium Reflect will do this.

If you just want to copy your personal files, that is a whole different thing.

i don't care about OS just all the personal files, is macrium still good for this or no?

 

[Lafong]

i don't care about OS just all the personal files, is macrium still good for this or no?

For personal files only, you COULD use Macrium.

But it isn't the best app for that in my opinion.

A copy paste would work for personal files, but it isn't ideal either.

I'd use a program made for that specific purpose...personal file backup. There's a bunch of them. All work similarly. The interfaces differ..some are simpler than others.

 

[methix0r]

For personal files only, you COULD use Macrium.

But it isn't the best app for that in my opinion.

A copy paste would work for personal files, but it isn't ideal either.

I'd use a program made for that specific purpose...personal file backup. There's a bunch of them. All work similarly. The interfaces differ..some are simpler than others.

do you know any program for this like mentioned just for all personal files

 

[USAFRet]

i don't care about OS just all the personal files, is macrium still good for this or no?

For just your personal files, something like FreeFileSync, or SyncBackFree.

But originally, you stated - "entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything, "

2 different things.

 

[Lafong]

do you know any program for this like mentioned just for all personal files

SyncBackFree; I use this now

FreeFileSync; I used this years ago.

Karen's Replicator

Others I can think of right now

 

[methix0r]

For just your personal files, something like FreeFileSync, or SyncBackFree.

But originally, you stated - "entire backup including FULL OS and all files and folders everything, "

2 different things.

i meant everything not including OS my mistake

 

[USAFRet]

i meant everything not including OS my mistake

3 major divisions:
operating system
Applications
Personal files

The only thing you can do manually is personal files.

 

[methix0r]

3 major divisions:
operating system
Applications
Personal files

The only thing you can do manually is personal files.

applications and personal files is what i want to backup

 

[Lafong]

applications and personal files is what i want to backup

If those applications are installed, you would have to use Macrium

If those applications are NOT installed, they are just personal data and can be backed up like a picture of your cat.

If you use Macrium, it will automatically include personal files if you include the partitions that contain personal files. It's up to you to know what partitions that is.

Simplest thing is to include ALL partitions.

 

[USAFRet]

applications and personal files is what i want to backup

Applications can only be backed up with the OS.

There is no tool or function to split the applications out from the OS.
When an application is installed, it makes dozens/hundreds of entries in the Registry and elsewhere.

 

[methix0r]

Applications can only be backed up with the OS.

There is no tool or function to split the applications out from the OS.
When an application is installed, it makes dozens/hundreds of entries in the Registry and elsewhere.

i will try Macrium then

 

[methix0r]

all went well drives are all backed up