Finding a good free backup solution is easier than you\u2019d think. A host of companies offer free online backup or free backup software\u2014and perhaps surprisingly, nearly all of them are quite competent.<\/p>\n
Of course these companies have ulterior motives. Their free versions usually only provide enough storage for essential data, or lack some advanced features that pros would want. They hope you\u2019ll love the program or service so much, or find it so useful that you\u2019ll eventually fork over some cash for additional storage or those advanced features.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But wait, you say: I have\u00a0free online storage through Apple\u2019s iCloud or Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. Then there are services like Dropbox, with 2GB for free.<\/p>\n
The issue with all those services is that they\u2019re not necessarily true backup, but syncing. That is, when you delete a file from any device or online, it\u2019s deleted from every device. Lord help you if you make a mistake and don\u2019t realize it in time. True backup means retaining data indefinitely no matter what\u2019s happening with the data elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Read on for our top picks in free online backup and free backup software, and of course the reasons we picked them.\u00a0If you find yourself needing more features, more storage, or less ads and nags, see our roundups of paid options for best Windows\u00a0backup software and best\u00a0cloud backup services.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1. Backupper 6 Standard \u2013 Best free backup software\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Backupper](\"https:\/\/images.idgesg.net\/images\/article\/2021\/07\/aomei-backupper-6-sync-tab-100895760-orig.jpg?quality=50&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nPros<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tTop-notch, easy interface\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tFile backup and sync, plus imaging in one program\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tFree version that covers the basics\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tImaging wasn\u2019t bulletproof on all our test machines\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tDoesn\u2019t back up to online repositories\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Among the free programs we\u2019ve tested, Aomei\u00a0Backupper Standard\u00a0wins primarily because it has the most features, including imaging, file backup, disk cloning, and plain file syncing, plus multiple scheduling options. In addition to that, the layout and workflow are intuitive and easy enough for even a backup newb to understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tAomei Backupper 6 Standardreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2. iDrive Online Cloud Backup \u2013 Best free online backup\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"iDrive](\"https:\/\/images.idgesg.net\/images\/article\/2017\/09\/idrive_logo_300-100737328-orig.jpg?quality=50&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nPros<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tOnline and local backup in the same job\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tSupports multiple PCs and devices on the same account\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tOne of the pricier services, beyond the free version, though justifiably so\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
There\u2019s no more complete online backup storage service than iDrive.\u00a0The free \u201cbasic\u201d plan with 5GB of storage retains the features of the pay plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The iDrive service comes with backup clients for nearly every PC and device, including Windows Phone\u2014a rarity these days. The company provides additional storage for syncing all your devices and PCs, allows sharing of files with anyone, and has the ability to back up to a local drive. The company also has several affordable pay plans. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tiDrive Online Cloud Backupreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3. Windows File History \u2013 Best free Windows backup\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/b2c-contenthub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Windows-File-History-Browser.jpg?quality=50&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nPros<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tExcellent continuous data protection with versioning\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tEasy, timeline browsing of backed-up files\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tIntegrated into Windows\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tBacks up user-created libraries\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
\n- \n\t\t\t\t\tEasy \u201cAdd folder\u201d function removed from Windows 11\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Windows File History is the easiest and cheapest (free) continuous data protection software for Windows bar none. It makes backing up your data a no-brainer with its set-it-and-forget-it way of storing data and keeping automated backups.<\/p>\n
While Microsoft has made some dubious decisions recently in regards to updates of the File History software, it still remains the best around. In fact, it\u2019s so good that few Windows users will need anything more.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tWindows File History backupreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
How we test free backup software and services<\/h2>\n
Backup software:<\/strong> We run each program through the various types of backups it\u2019s capable of. This is largely to test reliability and hardware compatibility, but we time two: an approximately 115GB system image (two partitions), and a roughly 50GB image created from a set of smaller files and folders. We then mount the images and test their integrity via the program\u2019s restore functions. We also test the USB boot drives created by the programs.<\/p>\nOnline services:<\/strong> The performance of online backup services will vary according to their location and the network equipment between you and the data depository. We installed the software and backed up the same 2GB data set to check for any major issues or glitches in the client software. These are noted in the reviews.<\/p>\nWhat to look for in free backup products<\/h2>\nOnline storage and backup services<\/h3>\n
Capacity:<\/strong> Obviously, you\u2019ll need as much storage as you have data, plus a little, or possibly a lot, more if you want to track changes and save previous versions of files. Some services keep multiple versions of files, some don\u2019t. In many cases there\u2019s a time limit.<\/p>\nCost:<\/strong> Nearly all online services charge for a maximum allowable amount of data, and generally uploads are free. Aside from the free tiers available from a service like Dropbox, pricing is fairly consistent across services, though you definitely get more capacity for your money from some vendors, notably Backblaze.<\/p>\nHowever, there may be additional charges or limitations on downloads. For instance, Amazon\u2019s Glacier is intended solely for backup and archiving. It\u2019s very cheap per GB and uploads are free, but you\u2019re charged for downloading\u2014a service you hopefully will never need.<\/p>\n
Features:<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to backup, you may want to share your files with others, work with them from mobile devices, or even edit them with office applications such as those available with Dropbox, Google, and OneDrive. If you do intend to work online, we recommend that you maintain a local copy as backup, and a hedge against internet downtime.\u00a0<\/p>\nOS and device support:\u00a0<\/strong>Most services provide client backup software for the major operating systems (Linux, OS X, and Windows) and both Android and iOS. Make sure the service you sign up for supports all of your platforms. Note: iDrive even supports Windows Phone.<\/p>\nPrivacy:<\/strong> If you\u2019re concerned about the privacy of your data, make sure you use a service that allows the use of a personal encryption key that you define. Do NOT lose it, as it is\u00a0absolutely required<\/em>\u00a0to restore your data. Sadly, using your own key often limits the types of services (e.g., no mobile backup) available.<\/p>\nIf private encryption keys aren\u2019t available, read the privacy policy, especially with the free services\u2014there are significant differences.<\/p>\n
Reliability:<\/strong> Generally speaking, data centers are backed up to the hilt. Some of the larger ones even back up to different geographical locations. Availability (hopefully 24\/7) can also be important. Check for news of outages and the vendor\u2019s own service blogs. If there are too many outages in service, buy accordingly. In truth, all the services we\u2019re aware of are near-100-percent reliable.<\/p>\nSpeed:<\/strong> Speed, in many cases, is far more dependent upon your broadband connection than that of the online service, though the geographical location of the storage and the equipment in between can make a significant difference. Check the location of the data servers if speed is important to you. Or, just give the trial a whirl and see if you can live with it.<\/p>\nBackup software<\/h3>\n
As with most things, don\u2019t over-buy backup software. Features you don\u2019t need add complexity and may slow down your system. Additionally, if you intend to back up to a newly purchased external hard drive, check out the software that ships with it. Seagate, WD, and others provide backup utilities that are adequate for the average user.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And of course, while we describe the features to look for, you\u2019re going to find fewer of them in free software. That\u2019s life in the cheap lane.<\/p>\n
File backup:<\/strong> If you want to back up only your data (operating systems and programs can be reinstalled, though it\u2019s mildly time- and effort-consuming), a program that backs up just the files you select is a major time-saver. Some programs automatically select the appropriate files if you use the Windows library folders (Documents, Photos, Videos, etc.).<\/p>\nImage backup\/Imaging:<\/strong> Images are byte-for-byte snapshots of your entire hard drive (normally without the empty sectors) or partition, and can be used to restore both the operating system and data. Imaging is the most convenient to restore in case of a system crash, and also ensures you don\u2019t miss anything important.<\/p>\nBoot media:\u00a0 <\/strong>Should your system crash completely, you need an alternate way to boot and run the recovery software. Any backup program should be able to create a bootable optical disc or USB thumb drive. Some will also create a restore partition on your hard drive, which can be used instead if the hard drive is still operational.<\/p>\nScheduling: <\/strong>If you\u2019re going to back up effectively, you need to do it on a regular basis. Any backup program worth its salt allows you to schedule backups.<\/p>\nVersioning:<\/strong> If you\u2019re overwriting previous files, that\u2019s not backup, it\u2019s one-way syncing or mirroring. Any backup program you use should allow you to retain several previous backups, or with file backup, previous versions of the file. The better software will retain and cull older backups according to criteria you establish.<\/p>\nOptical support: <\/strong>Every backup program supports hard drives, but as obsolete as they may seem, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are great archive media. <\/p>\nOnline support: <\/strong>An offsite copy of your data is a hedge against physical disasters such as flood, fire, and power surges. Online storage services are a great way to maintain an offsite copy of your data. Backup to Dropbox and the like is a nice feature to have.<\/p>\nFTP and SMB\/AFP:<\/strong> Backing up to other computers or NAS boxes on your network or in remote locations (say, your parent\u2019s house) is another way of physically safeguarding your data with an offsite, or at least physically discrete copy. FTP can be used for offsite, while SMB (Windows and most OS\u2019s) and AFP (Apple) are good for other PCs or NAS on your local network.<\/p>\nReal time:<\/strong> Real-time backup means that files are backed up whenever they change, usually upon creation or save. It\u2019s also called mirroring and is handy for keeping an immediately available copy of rapidly changing data sets. For less volatile data sets, the payoff doesn\u2019t compensate for the drain on system resources. Instead, scheduling should be used.<\/p>\nContinuous backup:<\/strong>\u00a0In this case, \u2018continuous\u2019 simply means backing up on a tight schedule, generally every 5 to 15 minutes, instead of every day or weekly. Use continuous backup for rapidly changing data sets where transfer rates are too slow, or computing power is too precious for real-time backup.<\/p>\nPerformance:<\/strong> Most backups proceed in the background or during dead time, so performance isn\u2019t a huge issue in the consumer space. However, if you\u2019re backing up multiple machines or to multiple destinations, or dealing with very large data sets, speed is a consideration.<\/p>\nAny backup is better than no backup<\/h2>\n
Free or paid, we highly recommend that you back up at least your essential data\u00a0 against theft, malware or ransomware, and natural disasters, not to mention user error. Even if you work online, a local backup is a lot quicker to restore. And this goes beyond PCs: We get a lot of emails asking how to get data back from a stolen phone\u2014the users generally don\u2019t like the answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Finding a good free backup solution is easier than you\u2019d think. A host of companies offer free online backup or free backup software\u2014and perhaps surprisingly,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[270],"tags":[1123,117,46,692],"class_list":["post-1380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editors-choice","tag-backup","tag-free","tag-services","tag-software"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nPros<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tTop-notch, easy interface\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tFile backup and sync, plus imaging in one program\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tFree version that covers the basics\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tImaging wasn\u2019t bulletproof on all our test machines\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tDoesn\u2019t back up to online repositories\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Among the free programs we\u2019ve tested, Aomei\u00a0Backupper Standard\u00a0wins primarily because it has the most features, including imaging, file backup, disk cloning, and plain file syncing, plus multiple scheduling options. In addition to that, the layout and workflow are intuitive and easy enough for even a backup newb to understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tAomei Backupper 6 Standardreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2. iDrive Online Cloud Backup \u2013 Best free online backup\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nPros<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tOnline and local backup in the same job\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tSupports multiple PCs and devices on the same account\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tOne of the pricier services, beyond the free version, though justifiably so\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
There\u2019s no more complete online backup storage service than iDrive.\u00a0The free \u201cbasic\u201d plan with 5GB of storage retains the features of the pay plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The iDrive service comes with backup clients for nearly every PC and device, including Windows Phone\u2014a rarity these days. The company provides additional storage for syncing all your devices and PCs, allows sharing of files with anyone, and has the ability to back up to a local drive. The company also has several affordable pay plans. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tiDrive Online Cloud Backupreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3. Windows File History \u2013 Best free Windows backup\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nPros<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tExcellent continuous data protection with versioning\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tEasy, timeline browsing of backed-up files\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tIntegrated into Windows\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tBacks up user-created libraries\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Cons<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tEasy \u201cAdd folder\u201d function removed from Windows 11\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Windows File History is the easiest and cheapest (free) continuous data protection software for Windows bar none. It makes backing up your data a no-brainer with its set-it-and-forget-it way of storing data and keeping automated backups.<\/p>\n
While Microsoft has made some dubious decisions recently in regards to updates of the File History software, it still remains the best around. In fact, it\u2019s so good that few Windows users will need anything more.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead our full
\n\t\t\t\t\tWindows File History backupreview\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nHow we test free backup software and services<\/h2>\n
Backup software:<\/strong> We run each program through the various types of backups it\u2019s capable of. This is largely to test reliability and hardware compatibility, but we time two: an approximately 115GB system image (two partitions), and a roughly 50GB image created from a set of smaller files and folders. We then mount the images and test their integrity via the program\u2019s restore functions. We also test the USB boot drives created by the programs.<\/p>\n
Online services:<\/strong> The performance of online backup services will vary according to their location and the network equipment between you and the data depository. We installed the software and backed up the same 2GB data set to check for any major issues or glitches in the client software. These are noted in the reviews.<\/p>\n
What to look for in free backup products<\/h2>\n
Online storage and backup services<\/h3>\n
Capacity:<\/strong> Obviously, you\u2019ll need as much storage as you have data, plus a little, or possibly a lot, more if you want to track changes and save previous versions of files. Some services keep multiple versions of files, some don\u2019t. In many cases there\u2019s a time limit.<\/p>\n
Cost:<\/strong> Nearly all online services charge for a maximum allowable amount of data, and generally uploads are free. Aside from the free tiers available from a service like Dropbox, pricing is fairly consistent across services, though you definitely get more capacity for your money from some vendors, notably Backblaze.<\/p>\n
However, there may be additional charges or limitations on downloads. For instance, Amazon\u2019s Glacier is intended solely for backup and archiving. It\u2019s very cheap per GB and uploads are free, but you\u2019re charged for downloading\u2014a service you hopefully will never need.<\/p>\n
Features:<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to backup, you may want to share your files with others, work with them from mobile devices, or even edit them with office applications such as those available with Dropbox, Google, and OneDrive. If you do intend to work online, we recommend that you maintain a local copy as backup, and a hedge against internet downtime.\u00a0<\/p>\n
OS and device support:\u00a0<\/strong>Most services provide client backup software for the major operating systems (Linux, OS X, and Windows) and both Android and iOS. Make sure the service you sign up for supports all of your platforms. Note: iDrive even supports Windows Phone.<\/p>\n
Privacy:<\/strong> If you\u2019re concerned about the privacy of your data, make sure you use a service that allows the use of a personal encryption key that you define. Do NOT lose it, as it is\u00a0absolutely required<\/em>\u00a0to restore your data. Sadly, using your own key often limits the types of services (e.g., no mobile backup) available.<\/p>\n
If private encryption keys aren\u2019t available, read the privacy policy, especially with the free services\u2014there are significant differences.<\/p>\n
Reliability:<\/strong> Generally speaking, data centers are backed up to the hilt. Some of the larger ones even back up to different geographical locations. Availability (hopefully 24\/7) can also be important. Check for news of outages and the vendor\u2019s own service blogs. If there are too many outages in service, buy accordingly. In truth, all the services we\u2019re aware of are near-100-percent reliable.<\/p>\n
Speed:<\/strong> Speed, in many cases, is far more dependent upon your broadband connection than that of the online service, though the geographical location of the storage and the equipment in between can make a significant difference. Check the location of the data servers if speed is important to you. Or, just give the trial a whirl and see if you can live with it.<\/p>\n
Backup software<\/h3>\n
As with most things, don\u2019t over-buy backup software. Features you don\u2019t need add complexity and may slow down your system. Additionally, if you intend to back up to a newly purchased external hard drive, check out the software that ships with it. Seagate, WD, and others provide backup utilities that are adequate for the average user.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And of course, while we describe the features to look for, you\u2019re going to find fewer of them in free software. That\u2019s life in the cheap lane.<\/p>\n
File backup:<\/strong> If you want to back up only your data (operating systems and programs can be reinstalled, though it\u2019s mildly time- and effort-consuming), a program that backs up just the files you select is a major time-saver. Some programs automatically select the appropriate files if you use the Windows library folders (Documents, Photos, Videos, etc.).<\/p>\n
Image backup\/Imaging:<\/strong> Images are byte-for-byte snapshots of your entire hard drive (normally without the empty sectors) or partition, and can be used to restore both the operating system and data. Imaging is the most convenient to restore in case of a system crash, and also ensures you don\u2019t miss anything important.<\/p>\n
Boot media:\u00a0 <\/strong>Should your system crash completely, you need an alternate way to boot and run the recovery software. Any backup program should be able to create a bootable optical disc or USB thumb drive. Some will also create a restore partition on your hard drive, which can be used instead if the hard drive is still operational.<\/p>\n
Scheduling: <\/strong>If you\u2019re going to back up effectively, you need to do it on a regular basis. Any backup program worth its salt allows you to schedule backups.<\/p>\n
Versioning:<\/strong> If you\u2019re overwriting previous files, that\u2019s not backup, it\u2019s one-way syncing or mirroring. Any backup program you use should allow you to retain several previous backups, or with file backup, previous versions of the file. The better software will retain and cull older backups according to criteria you establish.<\/p>\n
Optical support: <\/strong>Every backup program supports hard drives, but as obsolete as they may seem, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are great archive media. <\/p>\n
Online support: <\/strong>An offsite copy of your data is a hedge against physical disasters such as flood, fire, and power surges. Online storage services are a great way to maintain an offsite copy of your data. Backup to Dropbox and the like is a nice feature to have.<\/p>\n
FTP and SMB\/AFP:<\/strong> Backing up to other computers or NAS boxes on your network or in remote locations (say, your parent\u2019s house) is another way of physically safeguarding your data with an offsite, or at least physically discrete copy. FTP can be used for offsite, while SMB (Windows and most OS\u2019s) and AFP (Apple) are good for other PCs or NAS on your local network.<\/p>\n
Real time:<\/strong> Real-time backup means that files are backed up whenever they change, usually upon creation or save. It\u2019s also called mirroring and is handy for keeping an immediately available copy of rapidly changing data sets. For less volatile data sets, the payoff doesn\u2019t compensate for the drain on system resources. Instead, scheduling should be used.<\/p>\n
Continuous backup:<\/strong>\u00a0In this case, \u2018continuous\u2019 simply means backing up on a tight schedule, generally every 5 to 15 minutes, instead of every day or weekly. Use continuous backup for rapidly changing data sets where transfer rates are too slow, or computing power is too precious for real-time backup.<\/p>\n
Performance:<\/strong> Most backups proceed in the background or during dead time, so performance isn\u2019t a huge issue in the consumer space. However, if you\u2019re backing up multiple machines or to multiple destinations, or dealing with very large data sets, speed is a consideration.<\/p>\n
Any backup is better than no backup<\/h2>\n
Free or paid, we highly recommend that you back up at least your essential data\u00a0 against theft, malware or ransomware, and natural disasters, not to mention user error. Even if you work online, a local backup is a lot quicker to restore. And this goes beyond PCs: We get a lot of emails asking how to get data back from a stolen phone\u2014the users generally don\u2019t like the answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Finding a good free backup solution is easier than you\u2019d think. A host of companies offer free online backup or free backup software\u2014and perhaps surprisingly,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[270],"tags":[1123,117,46,692],"class_list":["post-1380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editors-choice","tag-backup","tag-free","tag-services","tag-software"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.txd9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- \n\t\t\t\t\tEasy \u201cAdd folder\u201d function removed from Windows 11\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
- \n\t\t\t\t\tOne of the pricier services, beyond the free version, though justifiably so\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n