Windows 7 backup solution

[jjk454ss]

I have a friend asking me to help backing up a windows 7 PC to an external hdd. Any suggestions on the easiest, automatic solution. I'd love a Time Machine for windows, but what's my best option to setup a non techy, probably forgetful friend.

 

[vistadude]

Windows backup is pretty good for a full backup of the hard drive. I do recommend making a separate backup by dragging and dropping them to the hard drive, that way you can access all the files immediately on another computer rather than having to buy a new hard disk and restoring over.

 

[MJL]

Windows backup has failed me on several occasions, I do not trust it.

FBackup (Free) or Backup4All (Paid version of FBackup) are very good for only the data. Then you'll need a partition image, I used Acronis in the past but have heard it is not that good any more and has become bloated. Have heard good feedback on Macrium (free version) but have no experience with it.

 

[jjk454ss]

Thanks for the info, I will look at these options.

 

[MJL]

I've many years used FBackup and maintained versions myself. A few months ago I switched to Backup4All since it has version control and space control and comes closest to some TimeMachine functionality.

 

[Cape Dave]

What works for me is Active@Disk Imaging software. Not bloated, like so many others. Has all you need, nothing you do not.

 

[Huntn]

I'm looking into this exact issue for a gaming PC I just built.

When I select Control Panels>Backup and Restore, I see that Windows Backup has not been set up. Click on "Set Up Backup", and then "Back Up Now" and I'm getting a message : A Volume Shadow Copy Service component encountered an unexpected error. Check the Appliction event log for more info (0x80042302).

When I try to create a System Image using Windows Backup and Restore and get this message: A Volume Shadow Copy Service operation failed. Please check "VSS" and "SPP" application event logs for more info ()x807800A1).

I found this Micrsoft Answers link explaining how to turn Volume Shadow Copy on, but this does not resolve the issue and I still can't make a system image. Obviously I have to do some more research on Volume Shadow Copy. Is anyone familiar?

Finally I used to use True Image as 3rd party disk cloning software, but my most recent version is several years old. Anyone using this today and happy with it? At this rate, it looks like I'll be using 3rd party solution.

Thanks!

 

[MJL]

...
Finally I used to use True Image as 3rd party disk cloning software, but my most recent version is several years old. Anyone using this today and happy with it? At this rate, it looks like I'll be using 3rd party solution.

Thanks!

When I last used Acronis True Image it was also an old copy it had not yet been updated to Windows 7. As such I used to make a whole disk image and restore it sector by sector (both the boot partition and the Windows 7 partition) - totally reliable.

 

[Huntn]

When I last used Acronis True Image it was also an old copy it had not yet been updated to Windows 7. As such I used to make a whole disk image and restore it sector by sector (both the boot partition and the Windows 7 partition) - totally reliable.

Thanks! For $30 I upgraded my True Image. Side note, years ago I remember I could not make an image of my bootcamp partition using TI, something to do with it thinking it was a virtual disk. I wonder if that status has changed in the 2014 version? I'll have to give it a shot.