# Recommend automatic backup software

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 1, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149 "2007-10-01T14:38:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/1 "2007-10-01T14:38:49Z")

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I purchased a Maxtor external drive that I would like to use on a network with five PCs. But the backup software that is included with it does not included network support, even though I can share the drive and map it as a drive on each of the PCs on the network.

Can anyone recommend reliable automatic backup software for this situation?

Windows XP Pro

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**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/2 "2007-10-01T15:42:03Z")

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[SyncBack Freeware](http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/index.html).

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/3 "2007-10-01T19:28:53Z")

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Thanks **Skip** , that looks like just what I need.

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**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/4 "2007-10-01T21:37:21Z")

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Not that it’s rocket science, but [here](http://lifehacker.com/software/geek-to-live/geek-to-live-automatically-back-up-your-hard-drive-147855.php) is a nice, little how-to with tips and whatnot.

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**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/5 "2007-10-02T04:52:17Z")

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What’s the matter with Windows’ own Backup program (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Backup)and Task Scheduler? I’ve been using it every day for years with no problems and no expense.

I don’t backup across a network, but Backup supports it.

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**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-automatic-backup-software/421149/6 "2007-10-02T05:25:56Z")

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I’m currently using [Cobain Backup](http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm) to backup my files to a local drive and offsite. It’s free and seems to be doing exactly what I need, secure FTP and encrypted files.