Resolved Question

Windows 7 backup slow - alternatives?

by | July 30, 2011 3:32 PM PDT

I just installed Windows 7 a month ago, and have tried to continue my pre-W7 weekly ritual of backing up my HD to my external drive. I set it up to back up only my D (data) drive. However....

* I've noticed it's really slow. Last time, it took me 2 hours to complete, compared to ~15 minutes in Vista. Any idea why, or if there's any way to speed it up?
* Every time I browse my external drive, I see the same set of files from my first backup a month ago - it seems not to be updating them. Again, is there some setting I may have overlooked?

Thanks!

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7 Posts
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Re: backup
by Forum moderator | July 30, 2011 8:02 PM PDT

What backup program do you use? Most of us prefer one that:
(a) just copies files so you can use Windows Explorer to get them back (no encryption, no compaction, not it's own file format)
(b) can be set to only copy files that are new or changed

Common programs used: Syncback or Microsofts Synctoy.
If you're not afraid of using the command line and a batch file: xxcopy is a free (for personal use) download and with the /bu switch iit does exactly what you need: backup.

Kees

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About XXCopy.
by MarkFlax Forum moderator | July 30, 2011 8:15 PM PDT

Hi Kees.

I noticed your post above about XXCopy. I see that http://www.pixelab.com/ now also offers "XXClone"

Features;

Makes a self-bootable clone of Windows system disk.

Supports Windows NT4, 2000, XP, and Server 2003.

Can restore the self-bootability in many cases.
It takes only a minute to run.
Everyone should keep the Freeware handy for just in case.

The Pro version is ideal for daily backup.

Supports common internal disk drives (IDE, SATA, SCSI).

Supports external USB/FIREWIRE drives (good for a laptop).

Competes with Norton Ghost, DriveImage, MaxBlast.

Much faster than any of them in typical daily backup.

Need not go to the DOS mode. Operates in regular Windows environment.

Simple to use by novices. IT professionals think it's great
==========================

Is this something you have tried yourself yet?

Mark

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No, never tried.
by Kees_B Forum moderator | July 30, 2011 8:19 PM PDT

I'll have a look sometimes. Thanks for telling.

Kees

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(NT) Hmm, I might give it a try as well.
by MarkFlax Forum moderator | July 30, 2011 8:51 PM PDT
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backup
by James_tech | July 31, 2011 12:06 AM PDT
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Answer
And If You're Using Windows 7 Ultimate Or Pro...
by Forum moderator | August 1, 2011 8:14 AM PDT

..why not use the Control Panel-Backup and Restore- Create System Image? It creates a full mirror image of the hard drive which includes any new files you've placed on the computer plus the operating system, drivers, and all other software.

I've only used it a couple of times but so far, it's far better than the old Windows Backup at recovering and reinstalling should the system go down.

Hope this helps..

Grif

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I've said it before
by MarkFlax Forum moderator | August 1, 2011 10:55 PM PDT

and i will say it again, I never ceased to be amazed what I learn in these forums.

System image using Windows 7's own backup utility? Amazing.

Thanks Grif.

Mark

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