15 replies to this topic 2 votes

[#Michael]

I am in need of a good piece of backup software that is usable on Win8. Something that can do weekly full backups and daily incrementals. I am not thrilled with Acronis 2013 but it is usable. Any other thoughts?

[Shane Nokes]

Heya. Have you tried Windows Backup?

People will try to tell you that it's missing in Windows 8 but it's not. It's still there:
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows 7 File Recovery

I don't know why they put it there...but all the regular backup options are still there...and it includes the ability to make system images, and do backups on a scheduled basis.

[warwagon]

A lot of the software that works on Windows 7 works on 8. I personally use syncback SE. I also have True Image 2013 for creating drive images. That one I had to upgrade for Windows 8.

[SiCKX]

Acronis True Image 2013.

[Gerowen]

I was just about to ask if the Windows backup solution had been removed in Windows 8, then I saw the response on where it's located.

For making images of entire drives I use Clonezilla. It's free, open source, and has never failed me. It implements several other open source projects so it advertises compatibility with a ton of various filesystems. I've used it to create and restore images of drives formatted in NTFS and EXT4.

[+sanke1]

Recimg

The ideal FREE backup/image creation/restore software endorsed by Microsoft themselves.

The backup images can be opened by 7Zip to extract files.

[Shane Nokes]

I will admit that Recimg is a good piece of software if you're not going to use the built-in software solution.

[Denis W]

My preferred backup strategy on Windows 8 will be to depend on File History for per-file backups, and use whatever you like to image your entire disk every one/two weeks or so.

For the latter there are many options. Acronis works almost 100% for getting hard drives back to the way they were, but of course it isn't free and the software itself is a tad bloated for what it does. Looking for a free (and updated, since older True Image versions will not work on Windows 8) solution, I gave the free Macrium Reflect a try. I like that it makes it easy to create a bootable WinPE disc (or you can build a Linux boot disc). I prefer to do backups from a boot disc as while you could do backups on a live environment, in practice it's a bit slower as it uses a volume shadow copy while backing up an online disk.

[smith.s]

Dropbox online storage.

[TPreston]

CA ARCserve 16.5 beta is the first publicly available client server backup for server 2012/8

[+goretsky]

Hello,

Here's a partial listing of backup software which works with Windows 8:

Statement of Windows 8 Compatibility
2BrightSparks - SyncBack Pro
Acronis - True Image 2013
Carbonite - Carbonite Backup
NovaStor - NovaBACKUP Professional 14
Paramount Software - Macrium Reflect Standard 5
Terabyte Unlimited - Image for Windows

Reports issues with Windows 8
Paragon Software - Hard Disk Manager 12 Suite (currently not compatible, offering free compatibility upgrade)

No statement of Windows 8 Compatibility
Centered Systems - Second Copy
Dropbox - Dropbox
Memeo -AutoSync, Instant Backup and Premium Backup
NTI Corp. - Backup Now 5

I will try to fill this list in further as I find out more about other backup applications.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[dockofthebay]

Hello

I think you can add Double Image to the backup list that works with Windows 8; also Windows 2012 Server.

[ajua]

One of the most complete file and folder backup/sync programs is Syncovery (formerly Super Flexible File Synchronizer). It works well on Windows 8.

It's not cheap, but the features and performance are worth it IMHO. It can be used on USB sticks or other computers but you can only run one copy at a time.

If you need imaging features, my favorite is Acronis True Image 2013. RecImg looks good but I haven't try it yet.

[Orange Battery]

I remember installing Norton Ghost 2003 and how impressed i was with it on XP. What ever happend to that?

[Darl]

Just try out the new Acronis True Image 2013 release and explore the sync function for local backup to your NAS or another local pc, etc. Works fine for the trial but better be prepared to pay them monthly to MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE ACCOUNT WITH THEM OR YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO USE THE FUNCTION. WHAT A RIP-OFF SCAM. You cannot use the embedded sync functionality locally without paying them additional money to keep an active account - yes that is true. Sure it is reasonable for them to charge for sync if you are using their cloud storage but to charge for sync to your own local devices- come on Acronis- GET REAL !!!