• 0

Definitive Best Backup Software 2009


Definitive Best Backup Software  

211 members have voted

  1. 1. For Home?

    • Acronis TrueImage
      128
    • EMC Retrospect
      2
    • Nero BackItUp
      1
    • Norton Ghost
      23
    • Norton Save & Restore
      1
    • Windows Backup
      24
    • Other (please specify below)
      32
  2. 2. For Work?

    • Acronis TrueImage
      116
    • EMC Retrospect
      6
    • Symantec/Veritas
      36
    • Windows Backup
      22
    • Other (please specify below)
      31


Question

An updated "Best Backup Software" poll for 2009. Please use this as a reference when researching backup utilities. As time goes on, the poll can be updated to add further options.

Please choose one app or N/A per category when voting.

Happy Voting!

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/717872-definitive-best-backup-software-2009/
Share on other sites

Recommended Posts

  • 0

Hi guys, hope you don't mind me asking here, but I'm wondering what backup software...

1. is either very cheap or free

2. will automatically update, say my music folder, and sync only stuff that's changed since the last backup

3. will keep an archive of a specific file or folder, so instead of just updating this one, it'll keep updates and old versions

4. is super simple and preferably won't hog resources, also maybe a 'one click' backup solution according to the rules above, as my external drive won't be plugged in all the time

Thanks!

  • 0

Thanks - would the freeware version be enough for me do you think?

SyncBack looks great but it seems to be mostly schedules - great for most people, but again, my hard drive is going to spend more time in a drawer than it is plugged in I think :(

Hi guys, hope you don't mind me asking here, but I'm wondering what backup software...

1. is either very cheap or free

2. will automatically update, say my music folder, and sync only stuff that's changed since the last backup

3. will keep an archive of a specific file or folder, so instead of just updating this one, it'll keep updates and old versions

4. is super simple and preferably won't hog resources, also maybe a 'one click' backup solution according to the rules above, as my external drive won't be plugged in all the time

Thanks!

Edited by blizeH
  • 0
Hi guys, hope you don't mind me asking here, but I'm wondering what backup software...

1. is either very cheap or free

2. will automatically update, say my music folder, and sync only stuff that's changed since the last backup

3. will keep an archive of a specific file or folder, so instead of just updating this one, it'll keep updates and old versions

4. is super simple and preferably won't hog resources, also maybe a 'one click' backup solution according to the rules above, as my external drive won't be plugged in all the time

Thanks!

Here are the two that I use:

Karen's Replicator http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

or

Cobian Backup http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm

  • 0

acronis is always rocking the books here... but anyone mind recommending me a free solution that does full HD backup and isn't too diff' to recover? (try'ed filezilla, i must be mentally ill since i wasen't able to work it... pps say it can backup full disks but i only was able to do to a partition barely and it was so obscure...) anyway something free that isn't filezilla? thanks

would preffer something thats live CD or w/e not OS specific

  • 0
acronis is always rocking the books here... but anyone mind recommending me a free solution that does full HD backup and isn't too diff' to recover? (try'ed filezilla, i must be mentally ill since i wasen't able to work it... pps say it can backup full disks but i only was able to do to a partition barely and it was so obscure...) anyway something free that isn't filezilla? thanks

would preffer something thats live CD or w/e not OS specific

You didn't mention cost. Hire me! And, if its worth keeping, trust me, I'll make tons of backups too.

I'd suggest using something like tar.gz or ZIP to compress files (DOC, TXT etc). Just make sure its really well organized before you do anything.

Its still simple, but takes a bit more time, but consider using .PAR2 for a 'recovery record' of your files. If anything gets corrupt you have a good chance of recovering the info - no bad idea for CD/DVD. I save all the files to a DVD and make another for the PAR2 files. This is 100% better and PAR2 works on Windows, Mac and Linux.

  • 0

I use to use Nero but switched to Acronis when I started using a hard drive rather than discs. I don't recommend it to novices as it's easy to do a lot of damage to your system if you don't know what you're doing. Having said that, in my opinion it's the most complete and functional backup software out there.

  • 0

WOW I have no clue why Acronis is number 1 on this especially for business? Yea it does backup nice and fast and look clean but have you actually recovered files with it. I have nothing but crashes, blue screens and problems with it from the actual software versions to trail versions. I always used the latest version and did it by the book I am no dummy.

I have worked with an aerospace company that went from old computers and network to a new one built by me. Their old machines on their old network had daily issues with corrupt files, lost files and deleted files. I support Symantec 100% with a good tape drive and raid I could restore files with such ez and reliability. They get my vote when it comes to business or corporate.

Now for home users lots of these don?t even work with windows 7 or server 2008 which I am currently using in my network. I am trying out (Macrium Reflect) which is free and had no issues along with working on windows 7. ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF MACRIUM REFLECT IS THE RECOVER DISK CAN BE LINUX BASED! I can?t support it 100% because I just got it but it seems to get a good mention and have had no issues with it. If you are a smart user and u do have a major crash unless you have very advance cad, and or editing programs with system licensing. I would stick with a file backup not a partition backup a new windows install takes like 15 ? 30 min and will run great .

I got a flash drive a few weeks ago and got to admit (Dmailer) sold me. I have never seen such a easy straight forward backup before that works. They might be my new favorite backup software works on windows 7 (for me), vista, servers and xp. It will work on U3 flash drives, raids and NAS. (I AM STILL TESTING IT)

NOTE: None of my recommendations are for servers except Symantec.

In simple Terms:

Business ? Corp = Symantec

Home ? Small Biz = Dmailer, Reflect

(Yes I was searching backups for a client and I signed up just to get in on the action and because I was amazed Acronis was number 1)

Sorry for the long post that's my 52395 cents.

  • 0

I have access to both Acronis TrueImage 2009 through work and Norton Ghost. I like Norton Ghost but it can be buggy. As for Acronis it's very easy to use.

Question about partition cloning. Are there any adverse effects of cloning one HDD to another and using the backup HDD as a main internal HDD?

I remember back when XP first came out there was a tool that I used to create a clone drive and it just never felt the same, the performance of the drive felt more like an external than a internal drive, spinning down at random times, disk access and seeking just didn't like the original source drive did. Is this something thats common? These 2 drives were identical.

  • 0
I have access to both Acronis TrueImage 2009 through work and Norton Ghost. I like Norton Ghost but it can be buggy. As for Acronis it's very easy to use.

Question about partition cloning. Are there any adverse effects of cloning one HDD to another and using the backup HDD as a main internal HDD?

I remember back when XP first came out there was a tool that I used to create a clone drive and it just never felt the same, the performance of the drive felt more like an external than a internal drive, spinning down at random times, disk access and seeking just didn't like the original source drive did. Is this something thats common? These 2 drives were identical.

Simple answer is I would say yes the clone will never in my opinion run at the same full performance. I have become a firm believer of keeping my data mobile (Second Drive, SERVER, NAS) so I can reformat anytime I want and still have all my data except the programs that are (clean installs, Settings Kept on Mobile Drive) that run it. No matter how many restores or clones I create, I never feel I get the same zoom I do from the original like you stated.

MY MAIN QUESTION

How many people have actually done multiple REAL CASE Acronis restores and/or clones that worked 100% and did not later have to be reformatted or changed to get performance or stability back?

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5094149 / KB5095971 / KB5094156 Setup, Recovery updates by Sayan Sen Earlier this week Microsoft released its newest Patch Tuesday updates (KB5094126 / KB5093998 on Windows 11 and KB5094127 on Windows 10). Alongside those, Microsoft also released new dynamic updates. These Dynamic Update packages are meant to be applied to existing Windows images prior to their deployment. Dynamic Updates also help preserve Language Pack (LP) and Features on Demand (FODs) content during the upgrade process. VBScript, for example, is currently an FOD on Windows 11 24H2. This time both recovery and setup updates were released for Windows 11 as well as Windows 10. The company writes: "KB5095185: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 26H1: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.28000.2269. KB5094149: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.26100.8655 KB5095971: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 23H2: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to Windows setup binaries or any files that setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 23H2. KB5094156: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 23H2: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.22621.7219 KB5098815: Windows Recovery Environment update for Windows 10, version 21H2 and 22H2: June 9, 2026 This update automatically applies Safe OS Dynamic Update (KB5094154) to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) on a running PC. The update installs improvements to Windows recovery features. KB5094154: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 10, versions 21H2 and 22H2: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.19041.7417. KB5094153: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.17763.8880. KB5094152: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 10, version 1607 and Windows Server 2016: June 9, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.14393.9234." Microsoft notes that both the Recovery and Setup updates will be downloaded and installed automatically via the Windows Update channel.
    • Quantum Error Correction Validated in Nature: Microsoft and Quantinuum Log 800-Fold Improvement Two years after the original press-release announcement, independently peer-reviewed results published in Nature on June 10, 2026, have confirmed that Microsoft and Quantinuum achieved an 800-fold reduction in quantum error rates on real trapped-ion hardware — the largest gap between physical and logical error rates ever independently validated.    What Quantum Error Correction Actually Does — and Why Breaking Even Is Hard https://www.techtimes.com/articles/318329/20260613/quantum-error-correction-validated-nature-microsoft-quantinuum-log-800-fold-improvement.htm   Quantum Computing Wiring Bottleneck Cracked by HKU Silicon Carbide Chip at Qubit Temperature Engineers at the University of Hong Kong have built the first cryogenic control chip that operates at the same temperature as superconducting qubits — 10 millikelvin, or just one-hundredth of a degree above absolute zero — without generating the heat that has forced every competing approach to park its electronics hundreds of meters of cable away. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/318325/20260613/quantum-computing-wiring-bottleneck-cracked-hku-silicon-carbide-chip-qubit-temperature.htm  
    • RevPDF 4.5.0 by Razvan Serea RevPDF is a free, fully offline PDF editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux that lets you edit text and images directly inside PDF files — no internet connection, no account, and no cloud uploads required. Unlike bloated alternatives that demand subscriptions and constant connectivity, RevPDF fits in under 60MB on desktop while delivering a complete editing toolkit: annotate, redact, sign, compress, split, merge, convert, and reorganize pages, all processed locally on your device. Smart font matching ensures edited text blends seamlessly with the original, and multi-language support includes RTL scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew. Where most PDF editors force you to choose between features and simplicity, RevPDF manages both. You can build interactive forms from scratch with text fields, checkboxes, and dropdowns, permanently redact sensitive data before sharing, draw freehand on contracts and diagrams, and add custom watermarks — all without a single file leaving your machine. Edit Text and Images Directly Inside PDFs RevPDF supports true inline PDF editing — not just annotation layers on top of a document, but actual modification of existing text and images within the file. A smart font-matching engine identifies the font used in the original document and applies it automatically when you make edits, so changes blend naturally with the surrounding content. You can reposition elements, resize images, and update text across single pages or entire documents. RevPDF 4.5.0 release notes: This is one of the biggest updates to RevPDF yet. A lot of things people have been asking for are finally here. New Features Auto Redaction Permanently redact sensitive text and areas from your PDFs before sharing. Clean, irreversible, and fully offline. Comments, Links & Bookmarks Add comments for review, insert clickable links, and create bookmarks to jump around long documents without scrolling forever. Find & Replace Search across the whole document and replace text in one go. Long overdue. Split Pages Vertically or Horizontally Split any page down the middle, vertically or horizontally. Perfect for scanned books or double-page spreads. New Drawing Tools More tools for freehand drawing and markup, better for annotations, sketches, and detailed notes. Continuous Scrolling in Editor The editor now scrolls continuously through pages instead of jumping between them. Working through long documents is a lot smoother now. PDF Metadata Editor View and edit the metadata stored inside your PDFs, including title, author, subject, and keywords. Better Font Matching Text edits now blend in more naturally by doing a better job of matching the original font. Tabbed PDF Viewer Open multiple PDFs at once in tabs and switch between them without going back to the home screen. Add Links Insert hyperlinks anywhere in your PDF, to external URLs or to other pages within the document. Share & Print Shortcuts Share or print directly from the editing screen, home screen, and viewer. No extra steps. Minor Updates Paste images directly from clipboard into your PDF New image editing tools for more control over images inside documents Bug Fixes Fixed file saving issues on Windows and Linux Everything still works fully offline. No login, no cloud, no account. Your files stay on your device. Download: RevPDF 4.5.0 | 58.0 MB (Open Source) Links: RevPDF Home Page | Github | Screenshots 1 | 2 Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Interesting. I'm not using a VPN with my phone. I tried though my home internet (Rogers) and my cellular internet (Telus) using their respective DNS servers and both trigger the dialog above.
    • Three days after Anthropic launched Claude Fable 5 as the most capable AI model it had ever released to the public, the United States government ordered it switched off — and now the company is refunding customers who paid to use a product that vanished almost overnight https://www.techtimes.com/articles/318342/20260613/us-government-pulls-anthropics-fable-5-offline-now-come-refunds-vanished-ai.htm  
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      agatameier earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      agatameier earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      ssd21345 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Contributor
      MarkHughes4096 went up a rank
      Contributor
    • Dedicated
      jordanspringer earned a badge
      Dedicated
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      507
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      175
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      139
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      90
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      76
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!