![]() So we didn’t use any of these three factors as differentiators. It should be noted that all of the programs reviewed here have scheduling capabilities, make use of Microsoft Shadow Copy (or similar functionality) to allow for creation of a backup while files/drive/system is in use, can carry out full backups, and check the integrity of the backups made. Does it allow for automatic shutdown of computer on completion of backup?.Can backed up images be encrypted or password protected in any way?.Does it check the integrity of backups made?.Does it allow access to files from backed up images, i.e.does it only do full backups or can it carry out differential or incremental backups)? What type of backups can be carried out (i.e.Is rescue/recovery bootable media supported?.The following is the main criteria we looked at when judging each backup program: So we made sure to restore each program’s ability to restore backups. That said, let’s begin… Drive-level Backup Software (aka System-level, Sector-level, or Imaging Backup Programs)įor the purposes of this review, we not only looked at the features of the backup programs but also did tests on each program, specifically looking at restore-ability We know that many backup programs can create a backup but have trouble restoring backups when the need arises. If you want to know about drive-level backup, no need to skip anything - just keep reading. Skip down about half-way if you want to read about file-level backup and don’t care about drive-level backup. First we will discuss the best drive-level backup programs and then we will discuss the best file-level backup programs. We have broken the article into two separate sections and ranked each type of backup program separately. In this article, we look at both drive-level and file-level backup programs. However, the main purpose of drive-level backup programs is to backup a whole operating system, drive, or partition - not only specific files or folders. If, in case of a crash or whatnot, you would require the data on your whole system (or on a specific drive or on a specific partition), then you need a drive-level backup program.Īs already mentioned, many drive-level backup programs allow you to do selective restore which essentially means you can restore specific files from a backup. These programs are intended for those that need to backup whole drives, partitions, or systems. While you can, in theory, tell file-level backup programs to backup the files on your whole computer, these type of backup programs are generally for the purposes of backing up only select files and/or folders as opposed to your whole drive or your whole system.ĭrive-level backup programs, on the other hand, are at the drive or system level. You see file-level backups allow you to pick specific files and/or folders to backup. It is in this situation (and similar situations - this doesn’t just have to be for work) that file-level backups come into play. Since only these specific work-related files are important to you, you may decide that they are the only ones you want to keep a backup of. However, if you were to lose those work-related files, you would be screwed. on your computer is replaceable and wouldn’t be missed. If your computer were to ever crash, all the other files, programs, data, etc. Let’s say, for example, you have important work-related files on your computer. ![]() some drive-level backups allow you to do selective restores, essentially allowing you to restore individual files instead of your whole drive), the two backup types serve two distinct purposes.įile-level backups are for when you have some specific files and/or folders you would like to backup. While there is overlapping functionality between the two types (e.g. When talking about backup programs, there are two distinct types: file-level backup and drive-level backup (also known as system-level, sector-level, or imaging programs). There is one thing I would like to clarify before we begin. Check out more articles on the best free Windows programs from here. This review is part of our Best Free Windows Software section. Yeah, you heard it - based on your feedback, our own research, and diligent testing, we have reviewed the best free backup programs out there for Windows and compiled a list of notable backup programs which you can use to backup your data and stay safe in case of a disaster. To make those backups, you can spend roughly $50 purchasing a shareware backup program… or you can read this article to learn about the best free file, drive, and system backup programs. ![]() So it is always a good idea to make regular backups of your data to keep your data safe. While I’m sure it varies from person to person (and age group to age group), many people have critical data on their computers which, if lost, would be hurtful at best and devastating at worst. Nowadays, computers are quite the keys to our kingdoms.
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