Is there a faster backup process?

[easysurfer]

I use Macrium Reflect (older version that I purchased years ago but still works fine for my needs). With Macrium, I create backup definition files that are scheduled. Every night, Macrium runs incremental backups tp an internal HDD. A backup definition for my entire PC and one for my data only (I have my data in a folder like photos, videos, anything I consider worth keeping). The autobackup happens when between 2 - 5 am, while I'm asleep. So seems fast as everyone morning when I get up my pc and data is already backed up.

My PC is also set up to two use hot swap bays so I can easily use HDDs like floppies swapping in and out.

 

[stephenson]

We switched over to Carbonite.

My concern with a single point backup - of any kind - is, that it is a single point backup.

I'm also concerned based on financial strength and longevity of the company - and the relative lack of regulatory environment for backups (I don't know much about this, though).

Carbonite is also a Canadian company, with the usual corporate potentials ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonite,_Inc.

 

[f35phixer]

i just use windows control panel file history and save to stand alone Western digi disk.

 

[5Miler]

I use rsync when backing up from a Linux system to my primary NAS and also when backing up one NAS to another. All of these backups are automated to occur weekly in the middle of the night.

When backing up my Windows systems to my NAS, I use Robocopy which is a Windows program which can accomplish an incremental file copy with a dizzying array of options to fit most needs. This can also be automated through Windows and there are also many GUI interfaces available to insulate users from the command line. Robycopy is multi-threading allowing it to copy different files at the same time. There are countless youtube videos on using Robocopy.

I used to use AOMEI backup but find this method much simpler and it's also free.

 

[target2019]

Instead of dragging and dropping files I've used SyncToy 2.1 in the past for copying from a folder to a USB, for instance.

Microsoft SyncToy is a utility that allows users to synchronize files and folders between two locations. It can be used to synchronize files on a local machine, network share, or remote server.

https://www.easeus.com/backup-recov... downloading was discontinued in January 2021.

You have to be careful downloading that now, as MS no longer has the download. And I'm still on Win 10, so there's that too...

 

[soylentgreen]

Backblaze

Backblaze

No storage limits, automatic, reliable, cheap, secure, fast, and offsite away from pets, fires, butterfingers. Doesn't depend on another drive you own that will eventually fail (which it will).

To restore files, you can download--like Google Drive, Onedrive, Dropbox, etc but w/o the cumbersome interfaces.

And the service has a support number you can call, they're a small company.

https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup.html
https://www.backblaze.com/windows-online-backup.html

 

[KarenF]

I back up important folders on my computer (a. little less than 1TB) to Google Drive and it works great. I did go through all my files and deleted over half of them.

 

[catii]

Believe it or not, there is a very-old DOS command called XCOPY that can do witnderful things, even today.

Just get into DOS mode (Type CMD), & type in XCOPY c:\*.* d: /s & the system will get to work. Much faster than COPY & nothing to download. For more info, https://www.lifewire.com/xcopy-command-2618103

I've run it under Windows 10, but haven't tried 11.

 

[Jerry1]

Believe it or not, there is a very-old DOS command called XCOPY that can do witnderful things, even today.

Just get into DOS mode (Type CMD), & type in XCOPY c:\*.* d: /s & the system will get to work. Much faster than COPY & nothing to download. For more info, https://www.lifewire.com/xcopy-command-2618103

I've run it under Windows 10, but haven't tried 11.

I was wondering about a dos copy. I forgot about xcopy. I’ll try it and see if it takes less time to copy the entire disk. Thanks.

 

[prudent_one]

What is the speed of the port you attaching the external drive to? USB 2.0, 3.0...? Maybe that is a bottleneck.

 

[stephenson]

I know I shouldn't mention it, but I'm still so thankful that DOS and Windows is behind me.

 

[hotwired]

Annual

I use vice versa and acronis, to back up regularly on internal and external hard drives, but what I do each year with photos is to burn a disc of that Year's photos. So around the first week of January I pull out a DVD slap it in my drawer and do an actual burn. Then I store that in my truck. I must be getting old because I have a stack of discs about 8 in deep!

 

[Jerry1]

What is the speed of the port you attaching the external drive to? USB 2.0, 3.0...? Maybe that is a bottleneck.

Pretty sure I use the 3.0 but I’ll make sure the next time I run a backup. The computer also has a USB-C port. I’ll google which is faster.

 

[Reese]

Probably 1T of data for my mom. I just use One Drive on my mom's Dell I bought her. My Surface Pro I use One Drive and Google for a few things..... For my Samsung everything goes to Google Cloud. All automated and simple.