Best paid backup program for Win 8

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SunTiger

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#195535 23-Apr-2016 12:25

Hey, just wondering if anyone knows what is the best paid backup program for Windows 8? This seems to be the best forum for the question so here is the setup:

Windows 8 PC

1 x 250GB SSD (for OS, business files and other frequently accessed data)

1 x 1TB HDD (for non critical data such as movies, music, etc)

The HDD has been split into 2 partitions - one for the non critical data and one as a backup for the 250GB SSD (i.e. so backups can be made from the SSD to that partition).

I have had a look at Arconis and Shadowprotect, and also searched these forums for advice but there seem to be mixed reviews on these 2 programs especially recently. I'm OK with paying for a good backup program so no issues there.

Also can anyone recommend a paid online backup service? I've used Crashplan in the past on my previous machine but can't really judge its effectiveness as I've never had to actually use it to restore backups, cheers

robertsona

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#1540621 23-Apr-2016 12:43

Retrieving data from CrashPlan backups can be very straightforward. I've used it for three or four years now. I did subscribe to the cloud service aspect for a year - but found the upload (80-90GB) very slow. I also have it set up to backup between machines - on home LAN and to a work PC.

A couple of years ago, we were burgled with laptops and tablets stolen. Luckily a older tower machine was not taken. It took just a minute or two to verify that up-to-date backups from the laptop were available. Restoring the files to the replacement laptop was an easy process.

I've found the backing up between local machines, to a location on my work PC and to a OneDrive directory to be a good and free solution, so I haven't renewed the cloud subscription.

Hammerer

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#1540624 23-Apr-2016 12:56

The two main types of backup are drive imaging/cloning and file backup. There is considerable overlap with some programs providing both.

Unless you have complex needs a free backup program is sufficient for most people. But from the three products you mention - Acronix, Shadowprotect and Crashplan - I assume that cloud-based backup is most important to you.

robertsona:

I've found the backing up between local machines, to a location on my work PC and to a OneDrive directory to be a good and free solution, so I haven't renewed the cloud subscription.

I do the same using file synchronisation software (FreeFileSync) to copy files locally then use OneDrive to synchronise across networks. I also do drive imaging (Macrium Reflect Free) to portable USB drives to get everything off my system drives.

I also have recovery DVDs/USB sticks to restore my systems if the drives are entirely wiped or I have to restore to a new system.

P.S. I have used Acronis for local backups and found it to be very good but no better than free products.

networkn

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#1540633 23-Apr-2016 13:05

Shadowprotect 5.2.3 is the "best" avoid Storagecraft SPX which is the latest iteration of the software, truly truly awful.

SunTiger

25 posts

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#1541551 25-Apr-2016 11:26

Shadowprotect 5 sounds good, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to not partition the HDD for backing up the SSD and instead backup both the SSD and the HDD to an external HDD in case of ransomware/other viruses, the external HDD would be plugged in once a day to do the backups.

Can anyone recommend a good brand of HDD for backups? I'll most likely be looking at a 2TB drive, cheers

networkn

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#1541560 25-Apr-2016 11:43

SunTiger:

Shadowprotect 5 sounds good, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to not partition the HDD for backing up the SSD and instead backup both the SSD and the HDD to an external HDD in case of ransomware/other viruses, the external HDD would be plugged in once a day to do the backups.

Can anyone recommend a good brand of HDD for backups? I'll most likely be looking at a 2TB drive, cheers

USB HDD's are all pretty unreliable, we use a combination of shock proof transcend, WD and Seagate. I'd definitely have 2-3 and rotate one off site each week if you go to your parents place or some other regular location.

I have an arrangement where I backup to NAS, and have 2 external HDD and one gets swapped each week when my inlaws come over to watch rugby. They have the same.

SunTiger

25 posts

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#1541561 25-Apr-2016 11:44

Hammerer:

Unless you have complex needs a free backup program is sufficient for most people. But from the three products you mention - Acronix, Shadowprotect and Crashplan - I assume that cloud-based backup is most important to you.

Well, I'm looking at a combination of local external HDD and cloud backup - I've also noticed that Crashplan sends confirmation emails after each backup and sometimes the Backed Up % shows as 99.9%, seems a bit strange?

Also it would be good to have a cloud based backup with the servers overseas in case of local disaster (e.g. flood, tsunami, earthquake) so can anyone recommend a cloud based backup service like Crashplan based overseas?

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gehenna

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#1541562 25-Apr-2016 11:48

None of them did exactly to what I need, which is probably unique. So I use an Acronis True Image scheduled image to a shared drive on a 1.5tb USB3 disk connected to my Airport Extreme and synced an offsite shared drive via VPN.

timmmay

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#1541563 25-Apr-2016 11:48

Veem Backup Free is worth considering for whole disk backup, it does incremental and it's free. I'm going to test it pretty soon. I currently use Macrium reflect free for disk backup, Cobian for large file incremental backup, and AOMEI for small file incremental backup, plus CrashPlan for small or critical large files (like my financial stuff and wedding photos).

MartinGZ

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#1544511 30-Apr-2016 14:52

I've used Macrium Reflect for years, & can never understand why it doesn't hit the reviews more often. Has everything you could want in backup software. Relatively easy to set up but probably aimed at high end users so stretches me a bit. I image my OS ssd, & run backups of my data hdds.

They have a free version to try out. Support is very good, both on the forum or email. Most of my past suggestions have ended up in the software, so they listen to users.

I've a home office setup & backups run everynight onto removable hard drives that get swapped around every week. The PC has 3 separate data drives that get backed up on to 4TB hdds.

Used it to restore Win7 after extended testing of Win10 didn't work out. Went OK. Regularly use it to restore individual files from BU.

I use an Icydock flexcage (3 bay) to insert the bu drives - standard 4TB hdd, and then store the rotated drives in storage boxes for safe keeping.

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littleheaven

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#1544939 1-May-2016 17:33

I use LiveDrive for my offsite backup. Unlimited storage, and after you've run the initial backup it just runs in the background, doing incremental updates. You can select which folders you want it to backup, and it has a smartphone app that lets you access those files from your mobile device. I've used it for about 3 years now and it seems pretty good.

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