Programs for backing up enterprise data. Backing up Windows operating system to Acronis

A simple, convenient and long-proven program for backing up files and synchronizing folders on a schedule. Russian developer. The program has a simple, intuitive interface, but at the same time it has wide capabilities and flexible settings. Allows you to copy all or only new/changed files between local, network, removable drives, FTP/SFTP, NAS servers.

The program has 3 editions:

Exiland Backup Free (free, basic features, Windows application)
Exiland Backup Standard (paid, advanced functionality, Windows application)
Exiland Backup Professional (paid, maximum capabilities, Windows service)

Key features of the program:

4 types of file copying: Full, Differential, Incremental, Synchronization.
Flexible configuration of task launch schedule
Compression to standard ZIP format, AES-256 encryption, archive separation, integrity check
The program works as a service (Windows service)
Copying files from multiple PCs on a local network
Fast copying of files to multiple threads (in parallel)
Supports FTP, SFTP (SSH) protocols, copying files from Linux systems
Maintaining a detailed log
Notification of results by E-mail, SMS
View backup and restore files if they are lost
Launching external applications, command line (before and after completing tasks)
Grouping tasks

Built-in scheduler

You can use the built-in scheduler, launch tasks using a button in the program, or assign tasks to the Windows scheduler (Task Manager) - in this case, you do not have to keep the program running all the time. Windows Scheduler will launch the program, which will complete the task and the program will be unloaded from memory.

Duplicate backups

To be safe, you can store backups in several places. The program allows you to specify an unlimited number of places to store backups.

Safety

To prevent access to ZIP archives, set a password, specify the AES-256 encryption algorithm, and save backup copies in a network folder to which access is restricted (the Exiland Backup program allows you to specify a login/password to access the network folder). All settings and passwords in the program are stored in encrypted form. Access to program settings can be restricted by setting a password to enter the program.

Reliability

The program has been in existence since 2005 and over the years of service has shown its reliability and resistance to emergency situations, such as communication failure (network failure) during backup, incorrect file names, disk problems, etc. If the connection is lost, the program will wait for a connection to appear within the specified time and will continue copying when a connection to a network drive or the Internet appears. The user (system administrator) will receive an SMS or e-mail notification about all problematic files and emergency situations.

Create a task

Creating a task is very simple. To do this, click the Create -> New task button located on the top panel. Next, specify the name of the task, for example, “Working Documents”, select the type of copying, folders and files to be copied, compression/encryption, select a folder to save backups and specify a launch schedule.

Now you can minimize it to the Notification Area on the System Tray and wait for it to launch as scheduled. You can also run the task by button on the top panel.

Hello, friends!

Despite all your efforts to maintain the working condition of your PC, sooner or later you will have to face such a phenomenon as a failure of the Windows operating system.

And the worst result of this may be the loss of information contained in the computer.

As you know, on a PC, in addition to photographs and all sorts of things downloaded from the Internet, all kinds of documentation are often stored. In addition, you, like most other users, probably have special programs configured according to your preferences that you do not want to reinstall. You don’t want to lose all this, do you?

In order not to regret lost data and not waste time restoring it using special applications, I advise you to make a backup copy. This is the only way you can protect the files you need from a sad fate.

In today's article we will look at the most effective backup programs.

Acronis True Image Home

Among backup utilities, this application is the most popular. Although it is primarily designed to work with logical drives, this program can also copy certain files and directories.

The application has a large number of various settings for making reservations of any kind. So, for example, in the options of this program you can select the type of backup, configure the creation of copies according to a schedule, etc.

There are three concepts of backups in Acronis:

incremental,
differential,
complete.

A full backup contains a complete image of a logical disk.

When creating a differential copy, only those files that have undergone any changes since the full backup were archived are archived.

Incremental means adding changed files to a full backup, starting from the moment of the last backup.

Acronis also allows you to choose the level of data compression and set a password for the backup.

Acronis True Image Home can be downloaded for free from any computer software resource.

Norton Ghost

This convenient and functional product allows you to create backup images of logical drives and carry out the system recovery process.

The Norton Ghost application is very similar to the software described above. It is possible to create incremental, differential and full archives, but in Norton Ghost you can create archives with a high level of compression, which saves disk space and minimizes the duration of the recovery process.

In addition, the program provides filters that allow you to copy certain types of files, including driver files.

The program is excellent, but paid. The free version is only available for 30 days.

A very powerful and easy to use tool that is free to use. It has a built-in wizard that allows you to make reservations step by step. This approach makes it possible for even complete “dummies” to use the utility.

Of the huge number of functions of this application, I would especially highlight the archive protection system by setting a password and encryption, increased filtering options, the ability to check the status of what was copied, and an excellent task scheduler. With this program you can:

write backup data to an optical or hard drive;
send them to an FTP server or Comodo online server.

File Backup Watcher Free

A free utility with a step-by-step wizard that helps novice users complete all the steps correctly. It has a convenient scheduler with a clear interface.

File Backup can not only backup, but also work with ZIP and write data to any optical media.

The Copier

Another excellent free application aimed at performing automatic copying according to a given schedule. Prepares copies in the form of ZIP archives and writes them to a hard drive. Allows you to create multi-volume archives.

FBackup

With this utility, you can backup all the data you need in a matter of minutes. The presence of the auto-backup function makes it possible to set up copying according to a schedule, so you don’t have to back up data manually.

It is more convenient and reliable to store copies on an external hard drive. Of course, you can also use a flash drive for this, but this method is only appropriate when backing up a small amount of information, since a high-capacity flash drive is quite expensive.

To store backed up files on your hard drive, you should set aside some separate space for them to minimize the risk of them being accidentally deleted.

Reservation is a rather complex matter that requires the user to have special knowledge and skills.

Sincerely! Abdullin Ruslan

Recently, my friend asked me to explain to her how to backup data. She's a humanitarian, so she wanted options that didn't require any customization. Since she is not a stupid person who likes to understand the problem herself and make decisions, I decided to collect the basic principles for her and describe the pros and cons of certain options (as I see them). I decided to publish it here in case some of you find it useful - to help a friend or relative. I would be very glad to receive comments on how the text could be made simpler and clearer.

Basic principles

1. Regularity and frequency

Data backup should be as regular as taking pills. It is for this discipline that you can thank yourself if some kind of collapse suddenly occurs. Sometimes losing even just a few working days due to a failure to backup can be very painful. It’s possible to answer the question of how often you can make backups by understanding the data for what period of time would be least painful for you to lose. One of the best options is to backup data once a week on weekends.

Separateness

It is advisable that the data be saved to a separate external hard drive (or other storage medium) and stored in a separate place from the main data. The principle is quite obvious - if a problem occurs, it will be localized in one place. For example, if the hard drive on your computer fails, the backup disk will function perfectly. However, there is a balance to be struck between ease of access and security. Having a hard drive next to your computer significantly increases your motivation to use it for its intended purpose. And at the same time, this is not the safest option for very important data that should not be lost under any circumstances. This is why there is a distinction between data backup and data archiving.

Recheck

As soon as the first backup copy of your data is made, you must immediately check that this data can be restored from it! This means not only that the files become visible. You need to open several files to choose from and check that they are not corrupted. It is advisable to repeat such a check once every certain period (say, once a year).

Discrimination

The best practice is to differentiate data into categories. The category could be their importance to you, the frequency of updates, or simply the topic.

Often backup programs create so-called “images”. They look like one single file. So, it is better to save various data in each such image.

What is it for. Data of different importance requires different handling, this is obvious. You will probably want to store your important documents more carefully than, say, a collection of films. By dividing the data by update frequency, you can, for example, save time spent on backups. Topic - what data is desirable to recover together in one step? A striking example of two types of backups that should be done separately:

Data backup

These are Word documents, photographs, films, etc. The same applies but is often forgotten - bookmarks in the browser, letters in the mailbox, address book, calendar with meetings, configuration file of the banking application, etc.

System backup

We are talking about the operating system with all its settings. Such a backup eliminates the need to reinstall the operating system, make all the settings, and install programs. However, this is not the most necessary type of backup.

Where to make a backup

1. External hard drive. You can often buy it straight out of the box. There are laptop ones - such disks are small in size, but more expensive. Regular hard drives can be purchased relatively cheaply with a capacity of 2 TB - then you won’t have to worry about disk space for a long time.

Fairly reliable (as long as you don't drop or shake excessively)
+ Relatively inexpensive

You must remember to connect the backup disk yourself.
-Not very convenient to carry (does not apply to laptop drives)

2. USB stick - suitable as an additional tool when you would like to transfer data from one computer to another and/or have it at hand. Also, if you don’t want to store the data itself on your computer.
There is one big but - a flash drive has a limited number of records, so if you store data from an application on it that will write intensively, then the flash drive (usb stick) will quickly die out. In addition, in my personal impression, they break quite often. A friend of mine, buying the most expensive flash drives, which were positioned as “unbreakable”, received a broken flash drive within a month or two. To be fair, I must say that I still haven’t had a single flash drive break; some have been working for 5 years already. However, I wouldn’t store data on a USB stick alone.

Mobile storage
+Takes up little space
+Very cheap

Unpredictable reliability

3. Data storage on a remote server (or in the cloud).

There are pros and cons:

The data will be available not only at home, but also at work and while traveling.
+Local separation of main data and backup copies (for example, if, God forbid, a fire happens, the data survives)
+There is no need to connect a hard drive for backup; as a rule, everything is done completely automatically.

It is advisable to encrypt the data, since it is unknown who can access it
-A large amount of traffic is wasted (if it is limited, problems arise)
-Often you can only store data up to 2 GB for free. So, such a backup is an additional expense item

A list with a good description of services can be found

How to make a backup

Here is a list of applications that are worth paying attention to (in my opinion) when backing up to your hard drive.

Popular among the free ones

1. Genie Backup Manager is a very convenient program, but it is a little slow when working
2. Handy Backup - simple interface, works quickly.

Additionally

Often in the settings of backup programs there is an option to make an incremental or differential backup. The practical difference is quite simple. With differential backup, you can save on the space it takes up. But there are only two recovery options: data in the state when a full backup was made + data at the time when a differential backup was made.

Incremental backup allows you to roll back to any point in the past when the backup was made. However, especially if changes in data occur frequently, the space will be consumed quickly.

Every computer user probably knows that no system is immune from errors and even critical failures, when it is not possible to restore it using ordinary means. For this purpose, programs have been developed for and including utilities that allow you to create backup copies of hard drives and logical partitions. Let's look at the most popular utilities of different levels of complexity.

Programs and data recovery: feasibility of use

Some users have a bit of a misconception about how powerful these types of utilities are. Unfortunately, they mistakenly believe that the simplest option would be to simply copy user files to other logical partitions other than the system one. There is another category of users who believe that they can copy the entire system partition to another location, and then, in case of failure, from this copy. Alas, both are wrong.

Of course, this technique is applicable to user files, but not everyone wants to clutter another logical volume with a bunch of information or constantly keep on hand an external drive like a USB HDD, a bunch of disks or flash drives, the capacity of which is clearly limited. And with large volumes of data, you should also take into account the time it takes to copy from one volume to another. Backup and recovery programs for both the system and partitions work somewhat differently. Of course, in most cases you will need removable media, but the created backup copy will take up much less space.

Basic operating principle and operating options

As a rule, most of today's well-known and widely used utilities mainly use the principles of creating images and compressing copied data. At the same time, images are most often used specifically to create copies of the operating system, which allows you to later restore it after an unexpected critical failure, and utilities for copying partitions or user files require archiving-type compression.

As for reservation options, there can be two of them. In principle, almost any system backup program suggests using external media (DVD, flash drive, etc.). This is only due to the fact that when restoring the system, you will have to boot not from the system partition, but from removable media. The image in the logical partition will not be recognized.

Another thing is disk backup programs. In them, you can save the necessary information in other logical partitions or, again, use removable media. But what to do if the used hard drive capacity is hundreds of gigabytes? Nothing will allow you to record this information even in compressed form. As an option, you can use an external HDD, if it is available, of course.

As for choosing the right utility for saving user files, the best solution is a scheduled file backup program. Such a utility is capable of performing this operation without user intervention, saving all changes made over a certain period of time. New data can be added to the backup copy, as well as old data can be deleted from it. And all this in automatic mode! The advantage is obvious - after all, the user only needs to set the time interval between copy points in the settings, then everything happens without it.

"Native" Windows backup program

So, first, let's focus on the native tool of Windows systems. Many people believe that the Windows backup program built into the system does not work very well, to put it mildly. Basically, they don’t want to use it only because the utility spends too much time creating a copy, and the copy itself takes up a lot of space.

However, she also has enough advantages. After all, who else but Microsoft specialists would know all the subtleties and nuances associated with the components that are essential for correct Windows recovery? And many users clearly underestimate the capabilities of the tool built into the system. It’s not for nothing that such a backup and recovery program is included in the main set of the system?

The easiest way to access this utility is from the standard “Control Panel”, where you select the backup and recovery section. There are three main points you can use here: creating an image, creating a disk, and setting up a copy. The first and second do not cause any difficulties. But the third one is quite interesting. The system will offer to save a copy on removable media, having previously identified the device itself. But if you look at the parameters, you can save a copy on the network, which is perfect for local locations. So in some cases, such a system backup program will be a good tool for creating a backup with the ability to subsequently restore Windows from this copy.

Most popular utilities

Now let's look at the utilities that, according to many experts, are the most popular among users today. Let us immediately note that it is simply impossible to consider all backup programs, so we will dwell on some of them, taking into account the level of popularity and complexity of their use. An approximate list of such utilities may look like this:

Acronis True Image.
Norton Ghost.
Back2zip.
Comodo BackUp.
Backup4all.
ABC Backup Pro.
Active Backup Expert Pro.
ApBackUP.
File Backup Watcher Free.
The Copier.
Auto Backup and many others.

Now let's try to look at the top five. Please note! At the moment, backup programs are being considered, mainly used for workstations (user computers). Solutions for server systems and networks will be considered separately.

Acronis True Image

Of course, this is one of the most powerful and popular utilities, enjoying well-deserved success and the trust of many users, although it is an entry-level program. Nevertheless, she has enough opportunities.

After launching the application, the user is taken to the main menu, where several action options can be selected. In this case, we are interested in the backup and restore section (there are additional utilities in the menu, which for obvious reasons will not be considered now). After logging in, the “Wizard” is activated, which will help you create a backup. During the process, you can choose what exactly you want to create a copy of (the system for restoring from scratch, files, settings, etc.). In "Copy Type" it is better to select "Incremental" as it will help save space. If the media volume is large enough, you can use full copying, or differential copying to create multiple copies. When creating a copy of the system, you will be prompted to make a boot disk.

Here's what's interesting: the utility shows fairly high performance in terms of backup copy creation speed, time, and compression. So, for example, it will take an average of 8-9 minutes to compress data of about 20 GB, and the size of the final copy will be just over 8 GB.

Norton Ghost

Before us is another powerful utility. As usual, after starting the program, a “Wizard” starts, helping you go through all the steps.

This utility is notable for the fact that it can be used to create a hidden partition on the hard drive where a copy will be stored (and both data and the system can be restored from it). In addition, you can change many parameters in it: read control type, write type, compression, number of points for simultaneous access, etc. As for performance, the application compresses the same 20 GB to a size of just over 7.5 GB, which takes about 9 minutes. In general, the result is quite good.

Back2zip

And here is a scheduled backup program. It differs in that its installation takes only a couple of seconds, and once launched, it automatically creates a new job and begins copying data, assuming that user files are stored in the “My Documents” folder. Unfortunately, this is the main disadvantage.

When starting, the task must be deleted, and then the original destination folder must be selected. There is no “wizard” in the usual sense; everything is done from the main window. In the scheduler, you can set the copying interval from 20 minutes to 6 hours. Overall, the simplest solution for entry-level users.

Comodo BackUp

We have before us another very interesting utility that can compete even with commercial products. Its main feature is the presence of as many as five operating modes and a huge number of settings.

Interestingly, the utility is able to respond to changes in the files included in the backup in real time. As soon as the source file is modified and saved, the application immediately creates a copy of it, adding and replacing the final element in the backup. Not to mention the scheduler, you can separately note the start of creating copies either at the start or at exit.

Backup4all

Finally, let's look at another free utility that allows you, so to speak, to make backup copies for everything that may be needed in the future at the same time, so to speak.

This utility is interesting because it allows you to save copies not only on external or internal media, but also on networks, or even on FTP servers. There are quite a lot of editable parameters and settings, among which are four copying methods, as well as support. In addition, the interface is very simple, and the display of folders and tasks is presented in the form of a tree structure similar to “Explorer”. The user can also divide the copied data into categories such as documents, drawings, etc., and assign each project its own label. Naturally, there is also a “Task Scheduler”, in which you can specify, for example, the creation of copies only at times of low processor load.

Solutions for server systems

There are also specialized backup programs for server systems and networks. Among all this diversity, three of the most powerful can be identified:

Symantec Backup Exec 11d System Recovery.
Yosemite Backup Standard Master Server.
Shadow Protect Small Business Server Edition.

It is believed that such utilities are a good backup tool for small businesses. In this case, restoration “from scratch” can be performed from any workstation located on the network. But the most important thing is that the reservation only needs to be made once; all subsequent changes will be saved automatically. All applications have an Explorer-type interface and support remote control from any terminal on the network.

Instead of an afterword

It remains to add that not all data backup/recovery programs have been discussed here, allowing you to create backups of both systems and files, and then restore them from the created copies. However, it seems that even brief information about the above programs will give many people an idea of how it works and why all this is needed. For obvious reasons, we leave the question of choosing the appropriate software open, since it already depends on the preferences of the user or system administrator.

PC backup software is necessary because the technology that computers use, especially for data storage, is not super reliable and does not last forever. If your data was not backed up at the time of the failure or serious breakdown, then you may lose it.

It would be nice if Microsoft itself provided Windows users with something like Apple's Time Machine: an efficient solution for complete system recovery and backup that requires little interaction or configuration on the user's part.

Instead, the company ships a variety of recovery options: disk recovery, file backup, and even incomplete system backup (Windows 7). Online backup services are another option for creating backups, but desktop clients tend to offer much more flexibility. Online backup services are another option, but desktop clients tend to offer much more flexibility.

There are many options for backing up your device. Read on for an analysis of the programs.

Acronis True Image 2017

Acronis True Image –best software in terms of speed. It has all the functionality you could want, even the ability to store data online.

The program runs six processes in the background, which you will notice due to increased loading times. If you just need to create a backup, you'll probably be better off with Aomei Backupper Standard, but for those who need flexible settings, True Image is an indispensable solution.

Pros:

Wide functionality and a large number of settings;
high-quality and reliable image processing and file backup.

Minuses

creates many processes in the background;
attractive, but a little strange interface;
perpetual license costs $30 for Plus and Premium versions

EaseUS ToDo Backup Home 10.5

EaseUS ToDo Backup –This is a program with an improved user interface and a wide range of functions. Despite the lack of file backup and synchronization functions, there is support for Dropbox and other online data storage services.

Pros:

Comprehensive file and image backup
User-friendly interface
Backup to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive

Minuses:

Online support only available
No simple file syncing or mirroring

Aomei Backupper Standard 4

Among the free programs, Backupper Standard 4 is one of the best, it has the ability to copy images, files, disk cloning, as well as the ability to plan and create multiple schedules for creating backups. The program interface, although a little retro in style, is quite simple and intuitive.

Although the program is quite slow when copying a set of files, at the same time it is the fastest software for backing up disks and partitions. The percentage of CPU usage during backup is also commendable.

Pros:

Free
Reliability and high-quality copies

Minuses:

Slow copying
Minor interface glitches

Paragon Backup & Recovery 16 Free Edition

The program performs the basic tasks of creating backup copies of disks and partitions of the Windows system. There is no FTP, files and folders, or online backup.

Pros:

Backups compatible with most virtual hard disks
Free for non-commercial users with registration
Does not create background processes

Flaws:

Only preliminary scheduling and saving settings in the free version
No partition for disk cloning or recovery

Macrium Reflect Free 6

This program provides sufficient functionality for the average user. If all you need is to create an image of your system and disks, then this software is the best choice.

Pros:

free
reliable copies of the system image
disk cloning

Flaws:

there is no possibility of file backup and synchronization
no incremental backup

What to look for when choosing backup software

Don't buy too much; if you choose software with functions that you don't plan to use, this can lead to unnecessary load on the system and a decrease in its performance. If you plan to copy information to external media, be sure to check the software that comes with it. Seagate, WD and other backup utilities are sufficient for a user with an average level of computer skills.

Backup files: If you only want to copy files, these programs usually work quite quickly (the operating system and software can be reinstalled, although this is labor-intensive and can be time-consuming). Some programs allow you to automatically select files if you use Windows library folders.

Image backup: The image is a representation of your entire hard drive (usually without empty sectors) or partitions, and can be used to recover both the operating system and data. The image is the most convenient way to recover in the event of a system failure, and also ensures that you do not miss any important information.

Boot disk: In case of a complete system failure, you need an alternative resource to boot the recovery system. Any backup program should be able to create a bootable optical disc or USB flash drive. Some of them will also create a recovery partition on your hard drive, which you can use if the hard drive is still working.

Schedule: If you want to have an up-to-date copy of your data, you need to schedule a backup process. Any decent backup program should offer this feature.

Versioning: If you are overwriting a previous file, then such a process cannot be called a backup (it is rather creating a mirror). Any program should allow you to store multiple copies. The best solution is software that allows you to make backups based on the criteria you specify.

Optical support: Every backup program supports hard drives, but as they seem outdated, DVDs and Blu-Rays make great archival media. If you're worried about the reliability of optical media, M-Disc claims its discs are reliable for thousands of years.

Online support: An exceptional copy of your data is insurance against force majeure events such as flood, fire and power surges. Online storage services are a great way to maintain an offsite copy of your data. Backing up to Dropbox and the like are great storage solutions.

FTP and SMB/AFP: Backing up to other computers or NAS boxes on your network or in remote locations (like your parent's house) is another way to physically protect your data with a remote or at least physically discrete copy. FTP can be used for offsite, while SMB (Windows and most OS) and AFP (Apple) are good for other PCs or NAS on your local network.

Real time: Real-time backup means that data is backed up as soon as it is changed, often when it is created or saved. This feature is also called creating a mirror and is necessary to save copies of frequently changing information. A copy will not help you recover your data in the event of a leak; in such a case there should be a planned backup.

Continuous Backup: In this case, "continuous" simply means backing up on a tight schedule, usually every 5-15 minutes, rather than every day or week. Use continuous backup for rapidly changing data sets where transfer rates are too slow or processing power is too valuable for real-time backup.

Performance. Most backups run in the background or after hours, so performance isn't a big issue in the consumer space. However, if you are backing up multiple machines or in multiple locations at the same time, or dealing with very large data sets, speed may be an important factor.

How do we test?

We run each program with the different types of backups it is capable of. This largely tests the reliability and compatibility with the equipment. We make copies: an image of approximately 115 GB (two partitions) and an image of approximately 50 GB created from a collection of smaller files and folders. We then mount the images and verify their integrity using the program's recovery functions. We also test bootable USB drives created by programs.
Translation from www.itnews.com