Best Free Windows Backup Program

What can I say, I'm on a blog posting spree compared to usual! I've been saving up all of these ideas of things I'd like to post for you, but just never get to writing about them as often as I'd like.

In any case, this post is about Windows backup software, not about my blog. So without further ado, I'd like to present to you Cobian Backup and DriveImage XML. Cobain Backup is free software (I mean totally free, not one where you download it for free and then are told you have only 14 days to try it before you must pay for the "free" software!). It was developed by a fellow techie with an interesting bio named Luis Cobian. I came across this software after much research into the best way to back up all of the files on multiple computers both at work and at home. I highly recommend it - it's fast, free and reliable! My only qualm is that the help files are rather confusing, and it isn't always clear how to set it up for your needs. To compensate, I've listed my recommended settings to use for the program below. If you end up using the program, please feel free to get my input on any questions you may have.

DriveImage XML, is another type of free backup program. Instead of just copying the files that you want to backup, this program actually backs up a complete image of your hard drive. What this means is that if your computer is completely down, you can restore the complete operating system, programs and files exactly as they were at your last backup. The advantage of using this is that, unlike a plain file backup, you don't need to start fresh with a clean computer and re-install all of your programs and move all of your files back to where you want them. I haven't actually had the chance to test restoring an entire drive image, so I can't completely vouch for it, but I guess I should be glad I haven't had a complete computer melt down since I've started using it! However, I have read lots of recommendations for the program from multiple sources!

I highly recommend using both programs to back up your computer to an external drive. Ideally you would use two external drives (one in a different state our country) to back up your files to every other day. That way if you did discover a virus you would likely have a clean backup available to restore you files and/or drive image.

Unfortunately, for all of the Mac and Linux users out there, I haven't done as much investigation and testing on backup programs for your OS's. When I learn more about them, I'll be sure to share them with you!

Recommended Settings for Cobian Backup:

Program options

Check only the items listed below, uncheck those not listed. I don't change any settings in the tabs not listed, but that is up to you.
* - indicates very important items to turn on

Log Tab:
- * log events
- * show the log in real time

Visuals Tab:
- * warn when running multiple instances
- show hints
- use XP style
- confirm when exiting
- show all icons
- show percent in the progress bar
- auto-show the log tab
- use internal help
- * Navigate using the program

Functionality Tab:
- * Save special and event settings
- * Automatically convert to UNC paths
- Show backup hints
- Show a dialog when backup is done
- confirm running tasks manually
- confirm canceling a backup

Engine Tab:
- Calculate the progress exactly (can be unchecked to speed up backup)
- Run events in visible desktop
- Force first backup to be full
- * Use several methods for copy
- * copy file timestamp
- delete empty folders
- always create directories
(Note - be sure you uncheck "park the first full backup"- this causes big problems!)

Settings for a backup task:

General Tab:
- * include subdirectories
- * create separated backups using timestamps
- * use file attributes logic
- * clear archive attribute
- backup type: Full (incremental will not delete files you deleted on your hard drive)
- Full Copies to keep (1 if you are backing up to 2 different drives - just re-create another task identical to this one to backup to the second location, of keep 2 full copies if you are backing up to just one backup drive)

Files Tab:
- * Source: list all directories you want to backup. For Windows I recommend your Desktop, My Documents & your shared file directly plus any other locations you keep unique files. Sometimes you may need to backup certain files under "program Files". These may include profile settings for Firefox, and the hidden MS Outlook email files. To browse for some of the hidden outlook directories you may need to set hidden files to be visible. In XP or Vista open up any folder, click on the tools menu and select "Folder Options". Then select the "View" tab, scroll down slightly and activate the radio button that says "show hidden files and folders". You can close this out and then use Cobian's directory search to find the Outlook directories mentioned under the link above. You may also need to explicitly backup IE Favorites too.

- * Destination: This is where you files will be backed up to. It can either be an external USB drive or a networked drive which very nice for backing up multiple computers on an automatic schedule!

Schedule Tab:
- * self explanatory - if all else fails set it to manually and put it on your calendar to turn on your backup drive and back things up overnight - most likely it will only take a short time to backup unless you have a lot of audio, video or photos. It's best to turn off your backup drive when you aren't using it. the longer it is on, the more likely it will have problems.