Windows backup solution

[brewbuck]

I am trying to get away from my current flaky backup strategy based on the built-in Windows 7 backup system. Problem is, I can't seem to find software that doesn't suck. A good local backup method would have the following traits:

1. No proprietary data formats
2. Easy retrieval of single files
3. Ability to back up files that are currently opened
4. Incremental backup capability
5. Fully validated
6. Robust error recovery
7. Informative reporting
8. Arbitrary scheduling
9. Support multiple volumes being backed up

What do you folks use? I'm not really interested in cloud solutions for multiple reasons.

[Mario F.]

A bit hard to get everything on that list. Number 1 pratically rules out most of the commercial solutions, if not all. But, by god, I can understand why you want it!

For a long while I've used Cobian Backup. A freeware backup solution that never let me down. It covers all your points except for 6 and 7 -- and I'm not sure of 5.

Over an year ago I completely changed my backup strategy (if that's what I can call it now) and have been using Create Synchronicity ever since, which offers very little of what you ask.

[Mario F.]

Tom's Hardware did a recent article on IT tools and they recommend Areca Backup. I didn't check much of it, but I think you would like to know.

[brewbuck]

Thanks, Mario. I did check out Cobian Backup and it looks at least stable and has successfully done an incremental backup for two days in a row. It might be what I need, for now.

I'm actually planning to build a storage-tower/firewall box for the house in the next couple of months, so it needs to back up to a network volume. I assume it can do that, right?

[Mario F.]

Yeah, it can. It will work off the bat if you use the program normally. But If you end up using the program as a service make sure that in the Options screen it is set to convert all network paths to UNC paths.