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Resolved Question

WD External Hard Drive Question

Dec 22, 2014 4:42AM PST

I just bought an external hard drive. I know it has its own back-up software but I want to know if it's better to use the built-in back-up that comes with Windows 7 as opposed to the manufacturer's software.

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Best Answer

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Nod to Kees
Dec 22, 2014 5:55AM PST

Almost all the bundled stuff has issues. Windows 7 own has deep issues if you need to restore to some other PC. Not only does it fail to restore to Windows 8, well, what a mess.

What do I use? Any of the simple file sync apps so my files are ready to be copied to my new PC or copied back if I lose them. For a full backup I still use CLONEZILLA to a folder on the external drive.
Bob

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Re: backup
Dec 22, 2014 4:58AM PST

Most people here use none of the two, I'm afraid.

Kees

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I sure wouldn't use the Windows backup program
Dec 22, 2014 5:27AM PST

Since you haven't said what backup software is on the drive or even the brand of drive you bought, I can only tell you that my dog broke my crystal ball. Sad Personally I've been using Easeus Todo Backup Free for several years and have been very happy with it. I used to use Norton Ghost, but Symantec in it's great wisdom, pulled the plug on it. I tried Acronis True Image and had disastrous problems with it, then settled on the completely free (for home use) Easeus program a couple of years ago.

Good luck.

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Yes I Did...
Dec 22, 2014 1:09PM PST

"W.D." External Hard Drive. I just want some feedback from people who've had experience with using the manufacturer's software or the back-up software on Windows 7.

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And what software is on that WD drive?
Dec 23, 2014 12:02AM PST

If it's Acronis (as some WD drives have), I did address that.

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Answer
Use whatever does the job...
Dec 22, 2014 9:52AM PST

However, the best test is to actually use the process to restore/recovery. that's a long process and isn't that practical but certainly proves it works after all. Thus, use what makes you comfortable now and later. I have used the windows, factory(OEM) and 3rd party restore/recovery s/w and they all do work excluding any unreasonable issue. The point is, in most cases you won't find out til the day/night you need to do so. Since, you have the ext. HD, usually it works best or is intended to using its own s/w. Understand, if you have anything super-critical then save more than once, a decent flashdrive of 32gb will store alot besides the ext. HD of such critical data to duplicate.

tada -----Willy Happy