# Please recommend Software for Windows backup **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981 "2026-01-24T15:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/21 "2026-01-26T17:50:10Z")
Take the time and expend the effort to name your stuff correctly the first time. It’s about the only way to avoid reworking names. In your OP you say you want to keep every version of every file. In this most recent post you suggest that old versions of files in the Wrk folder are now useless. Which is your goal? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/22 "2026-01-26T17:51:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Now, Wrk folder is on the cloud backup. > > The Next time my backup runs, MyWork folder will live on the Cloud Server. I don’t see the problem. A backup will typically be either full or incremental. Either way, the problem doesn’t exist. You won’t have duplicates of the two folders, except insofar as you may have multiple backup images, but there won’t be any confusion. The latest backup will have whatever the new folder name is and not the old one. Unless I’m completely misunderstanding your question. Or unless your strategy is copying files and folders rather than actually running a proper backup to a backup image, and overwriting them on whatever the destination is. Only in that situation will both folders exist. But that’s a poor way to manage backups. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/23 "2026-01-26T17:58:47Z")
Usually I get rid of old version of files after completing a project. Vax Vms has a purge command that instantly zaps old versions. We need something similar in Windows. I may write it myself in Python. Word Docs are unique beasts. Sometimes I print an old page and see how a paragraph was originally worded. I may like my older paragraph and copy/paste it into the newer version of the Doc. Or I screw up the formatting. Auto save has already ruined the file. I have to get the older version. I’m not coding regularly. Managing my versions of development code and keeping Production files static isn’t part of my life anymore. I still maintain the same discipline at home. Finalized production files are static unless there’s a damn good reason to modify them. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/24 "2026-01-26T18:08:59Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I don’t see the problem. A backup will typically be either full or incremental. Either way, the problem doesn’t exist. You won’t have duplicates of the two folders, except insofar as you may have multiple backup images, but there won’t be any confusion. The latest backup will have whatever the new folder name is and not the old Good point. I didn’t consider that each backup is totally separate. Back up 2026-01-11 would have Wrk folder Back up 2026-02-08 would have MyWork folder I see now that incremental backups are too limiting. You’re only copying new folders or files to the cloud. It’s not renaming anything for us. I’ll set up a full backup twice a month. If my OCD renames anything it won’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/25 "2026-01-26T18:15:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Vax Vms has a purge command that instantly zaps old versions. We need something similar in Windows. I may write it myself in Python. Not only VAX/VMS, but any DEC OS that used the Files-11 file system supported file versioning, in the form `filename.ext;n` where “n” was the version (up to 32,768!). > [@aceplace57](#): > > I see now that incremental backups are too limiting. You’re only copying new folders or files to the cloud. It’s not renaming anything for us. No, incremental backup not only copies everything that’s new since the last backup, it also will **not** copy anything that has been deleted from the source since the last backup (when you rename the Wrk folder, you’re effectively deleting the original – it’s no longer there). So again, no problem. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/26 "2026-01-26T18:25:29Z")
Thank you I got it straight now. I’m installing my backup software today and will set it up. I can only use Windows 10 another year. My old laptop doesn’t qualify for 11. Then it’s time for a new Win 11 laptop. I’d like to make the transition as painless as possible. Good backups are important. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/27 "2026-01-26T18:39:21Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > No, incremental backup not only copies everything that’s new since the last backup, it also will **not** copy anything that has been deleted from the source since the last backup (when you rename the Wrk folder, you’re effectively deleting the original – it’s no longer there). So again, no problem. Just for the sake of completeness, you might wonder how an incremental backup restore distinguishes between a file or folder that is absent from the latest incremental because it wasn’t copied because it hadn’t changed, versus it wasn’t copied because it had been deleted. The short answer is that either the information about the deleted file is recorded as metadata in the new backup, or more commonly with modern backup systems like Macrium Reflect, they use a snapshot technology where each incremental backup is actually a full backup from a logical view, but an incremental from a storage perspective, so again, the “delete” information is preserved. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/28 "2026-01-26T18:41:38Z")
I like that strategy. The developers at Macrium Reflect do good work. I’ve decided they’re my backup option. Regarding Vax/vms DCL is the best command language I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. I wrote hundreds of scripts in DCL. They had an excellent Sort in DCL. Excellent for creating a temporary work file for reports. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/29 "2026-01-26T19:04:42Z")
Keep in mind the differences between Macrium and Backblaze (which was also recommended) because they’re quite different, Pick the one that’s right for you. Macrium Reflect is right for me because it’s a local backup solution that creates disk images to local storage (though I suppose you could also transfer the image to your own cloud storage, but I don’t do “the cloud”). You can recover individual files or folders from the image, but most importantly, it contains the complete contents of the disk including the operating system so it can be used (in conjunction with bootable recovery media) for complete bare-metal disaster recovery. Whereas Backblaze is explicitly a **file** backup and recovery system that is oriented to backing up your files to the cloud. That may be just what you need and all you care about, but if your disk fails or your OS needs to be restored, you’ll need a different solution for that. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/30 "2026-01-26T19:15:41Z")
I’ll go back and look at the spec details between the two products. Peruse their manuals. That’s always a good idea for any product. I like knowing how easily a product can be setup and used. Quickly looking at their manual is a good place to start. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/31 "2026-01-27T11:10:02Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ll go back and look at the spec details between the two products. I agree – always a good idea to review the specs. Just remember that the two products have different objectives, as I already described, and pick the one that’s right for you. Or use both, as some do. I’ll also add that some backup software like Macrium Reflect uses Microsoft VSS (Volume Shadowing Service) to copy everything on the volume, including files locked because they’re in use. I don’t believe that Backblaze uses VSS and may not be able to back up open files. I haven’t used it and if anyone has information to the contrary I’d be happy to be corrected. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/32 "2026-02-02T19:24:36Z")
One last question. @wolfpup I really appreciate your advice. I have 32 GB free space on my 120GB SSD laptop drive. That’s about 88 GB used that has to be backed up in an Disc image. Assume I do a drive image backup. Can I install a New 512 GB SSD laptop drive and restore from the image backup? Will Windows and all my other installed & registered Software work on bootup? My local HD wouldn’t have enough free space to save a full image backup. I can store my backup image on my pCloud storage. I’m considering an OEM drive for my Dell Lattitude > **[Amazon.com: Dell SSD 512GB Class 35 M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe 3.0 Gen 3x4 Solid State...](https://www.amazon.com/Dell-512GB-SNP112233P-512G-AB292881/dp/B0BZHRNKY3)** > > Dell SSD 512GB Class 35 M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe 3.0 Gen 3x4 Solid State Drive SNP112233P/512G AB292881 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/33 "2026-02-02T19:34:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I have 32 GB free space on my 120GB SSD laptop drive. That’s about 88 GB used that has to be backed up in an Disc image. > > Assume I do a drive image backup. > > Can I install a New 512GB SSD laptop and restore from the image backup? Absolutely! I’ve done exactly this several times. Of course you need to have bootable rescue media prepared in advance in order to move the system to the new drive. With Macrium Reflect (or likely many other backup programs) you’ll likely need to Google how to tell it to expand the user partition to the maximum available size of the new drive, or else you’ll end up with a new drive with the same partition size as the old drive, and a whole bunch of unused space. But even if that happens, a free utility like QuickPar, or Windows itself, can resize the user partition to the full extent of the disk. > [@aceplace57](#): > > Will Windows and all my other installed & registered Software work on bootup? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/34 "2026-02-02T19:41:41Z")
I’ve seen bootable images online. Download and burn a boot CD I still have a CD/DVd drive. Could boot from there. Somehow I’d need networking to reach pCloud. Or burn a DVD with my backup drive image Yeah, a DVD can hold a 90 GB image Damn it. No, dvd storage capacity is a puny 4 GB I have to use pCloud to store a backup image That means establishing a Network connection without Windows help ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/35 "2026-02-02T19:56:40Z")
The link for my ScanDisk laptop drive says 2.5 in form factor. The Dell Spec says M - 2 form factor. Will that fit ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/36 "2026-02-02T19:56:46Z")
You may be confusing different things. The CD would be to contain the bootable medium that you use to restore the backup image you created onto the new SSD. It’s not for containing the backup image itself. I assume the backup image would be on an external USB drive. The problem with something like pCloud is that backup rescue media may not have network access. I’d feel much more secure with a local external drive. Alternatively, for about $20 or so you can buy a docking station like the one pictured below. Take out the old SSD, pop it into the docking station, install the new SSD into the computer, and clone the old SSD to the new one, then expand the partition to the full available size using either QuickPar or Disk Management in Windows Administrative Tools. [![](https://ccimg.canadacomputers.com/Products/250x250/1563/2032/271235/989849.jpg) ](https://ccimg.canadacomputers.com/Products/250x250/1563/2032/271235/989849.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/37 "2026-02-02T19:59:11Z")
D’oh I forgot about External drives. Yes, a 256 GB SDXC Card is all that’s needed. Easy, Peasy WTH was I 🤔 Cloud drive is a terrible solution. Need Networking to reach it. 40 bucks and my Laptop has a standard SD card slot built-in Time to get on Amazon and order the OEM Laptop drive and this SD card. **I just hope the different Form factor works.** It has to fit in the same hole. > **[Amazon.com: PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card - 100MB/s,...](https://www.amazon.com/PNY-256GB-Elite-X-Class-Memory/dp/B07R8GSQ41)** > > The PNY Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SD Flash Memory Cards are the perfect solution for photography and videography enthusiasts. The Elite-X SD Flash Memory Cards provide ample storage for an array of digital content, including HD photos, 4K videos, and... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/38 "2026-02-02T20:18:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Take out the old SSD, pop it into the docking station, install the new SSD into the computer, and clone the old SSD to the new one, then expand the partition to the full available size using either QuickPar or Disk Management in Windows Administrative Tools. Let’s discuss. Does the new drive in the Laptop need Windows to clone my old drive in the Docking station? Or does this backup software run from a DOS cmd prompt? Making a DOS boot disk is easy. I’ve down that dozens and dozens of times since the 1990’s. Cloning seems easier than creating a image backup. I can use partition software to fix the size and make a 512 GB partition on the new HD. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/39 "2026-02-02T20:24:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Does the new drive in the Laptop need Windows to clone my old drive in the Docking station? > > Or does this backup software run from a DOS cmd prompt? The new drive in the laptop will be empty. The laptop will be totally dead. You will need: 1. Bootable rescue media (CD or USB stick) previously created by some backup software capable of restoring from a local backup image or capable of cloning. 2. Either a previously created backup image on a local external USB drive, or the original SSD in a USB docking station. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981/40 "2026-02-02T20:28:49Z")
Gotcha A boot USB stick is even easier than burning a CD. So… Will order a OEM laptop drive and SSD Docking Station. Then I have to order the backup software we’ve already discussed. Ok, I’m a dumb ass with a plan. But. I will make this work. I have to. My available free space is low. I could always reinstall the old drive if things go wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-software-for-windows-backup/1026981.md?page=3)