I need a free File back up software, that basically just copies folders

[Denvers Dawgs]

I'm looking for a free file back up software that is easy to use for my in-laws.

Features that I'd like to have:

*Copies selected files/folders as they are (not put in a container like acronis images or zips)
*a reminder to back up at set time (or a program that will tell them that the external drive needs to be turned on) haha.

I myself have always just manually copied my folders to other drives when backing up, and haven't used any back up software before.

So if you could recommend some apps that can do this or something similar that would be great. I'd like to get ideas from actual users of said programs, if possible...

thanks for the help

[freebird73717]

I've used a program called cobian backup that will let you set up a scheduled backup/copy of selected folders. It does just like you want and just copies the files as is no compression or anything.

Of course if all they want/need is to do a simple copy from one folder to another drive/folder then you could just write a simple batch file and use the windows task scheduler to run it at whatever times you want it to run.

Something simple like this

copy "c:\your file directory \*.*" "E:\destination\ directory"

Save that in notepad as backup.bat and create a task with the windows task scheduler to run that file at whatever time you feel necessary (daily, weekly, etc).

That would copy everything in the "your file directory" into the E:\destination directory. The quotations are necessary to deal with spaces in the filenames/directories.

[guns1inger]

Comodo has a free backup tool that does straight file system copies, as well as other options, and has a scheduling facility.

There is also RichCopy, which is an enhanced version of RoboCopy in a GUI, written and maintained by a Microsoft tech. It gives a huge amount of control over what gets copied and how, and has basic scheduling as well.

[zoobie]

Kinda sleepy but the free SyncBack has some good options rather than the raw command line route.

I've a backup drive that just sits there unplugged most of the time.

[jagabo]

I'd use XCopy instead of Copy.

xcopy /e /d /y /c "path\to\source" "path\to\destination" >>log.txt

That copies everything from the source folder (including sub folders) to the destination folder.

/e means copy folders and subfolders, including empty folders
/d means only copy files that are newer than any existing files in the destination (saves time)
/y disables prompting for replacing old files
/c means continue without prompting if there are any errors

You can use Windows' Task Scheduler to schedule backups. Note that Taks Scheduler requires that the "Run as" account have a non-empty password.

[bendixG15]

DOS still lives

[neomaine]

Since you're still on XP, not sure if its available for Win7, you could use Microsoft's own SyncToy as well as the built in backup. I've setup SyncToy for a few people and it works fairly well and is simple to use. It can even do delta's and so only picks up those files with changes to keep the backup time minimal.

[jagabo]

you could use Microsoft's own SyncToy

First I've heard of it. Sounds good.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52

[TreeTops]

Free SyncBack
has served me well and easy to set up.

[neomaine]

you could use Microsoft's own SyncToy

First I've heard of it. Sounds good.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52

Thanks for adding the link. I don't do that often enough...

[Denvers Dawgs]

I'd use XCopy instead of Copy.

xcopy /e /d /y /c "path\to\source" "path\to\destination" >>log.txt

So mine would look something like this?

xcopy /e "C:\Files" "E:\" >>log.txt

C being OS drive, E being 2nd internal

Does this also work in win7?

[jagabo]

So mine would look something like this?

xcopy /e "C:\Files" "E:\" >>log.txt

C being OS drive, E being 2nd internal

I wouldn't use the root of E for the backup. The root directory has a limited number of entries. Make a folder called Backup or something. You may also want to specify a full pathname for the log file.

xcopy /e "C:\Files" "E:\Backup" >>E:\Backup.txt

Note that ">>E:Backup.txt" will append the output of each run to Backup.txt. The file will grow bigger and bigger with each run. Use only one > if you want a fresh log each time.

Does this also work in win7?

Yes.

[Denvers Dawgs]

So mine would look something like this?

xcopy /e "C:\Files" "E:\" >>log.txt

C being OS drive, E being 2nd internal

I wouldn't use the root of E for the backup. The root directory has a limited number of entries. Make a folder called Backup or something. You may also want to specify a full pathname for the log file.

xcopy /e "C:\Files" "E:\Backup" >>E:\Backup.txt

Note that ">>E:Backup.txt" will append the output of each run to Backup.txt. The file will grow bigger and bigger with each run. Use only one > if you want a fresh log each time.

What program would I use to run this with task manager?

[jagabo]

What program would I use to run this with task manager?

Put the command in a batch file, eg BACKUP.BAT, and run the batch file.

By the way, there are a few flaws with this method of "backup":

1) If a file becomes corrupt on the source drive it may be copied onto the backup. Both will be corrupt. So occasional archival backups of critical files onto DVD are still advisable.

2) Files that are intentionally deleted from the source will not be deleted from the backup. You have to manually delete the files in the backup if you want to get rid of them.