Automatically backing up a folder in Win 10?
Discussion
I've just formatted my main PC, currently typing this in 1024x768 res whilst windows update downloads my display drivers.
I've got around 130gb of photos on this PC so it took a while to sort them and back them up to another hard drive before formatting.
Is there any way in Windows 10 that I can set a folder I want backing up, set a location to back it up to, and then have it automatically mirror that folder to the location whenever any changes are made?
Would be nice to have a mirror copy of my images folder that is always up to date on another hard drive.
Thanks
I've got around 130gb of photos on this PC so it took a while to sort them and back them up to another hard drive before formatting.
Is there any way in Windows 10 that I can set a folder I want backing up, set a location to back it up to, and then have it automatically mirror that folder to the location whenever any changes are made?
Would be nice to have a mirror copy of my images folder that is always up to date on another hard drive.
Thanks
Not a perfect solution (Would like to see what others can suggest for this too!) but there is a kind of workaround using Microsoft's wonderfully named Sync Toy.
Using Sync Toy, create a folder pair that will do the sync 'on demand' and test that it works correctly. Then use the instructions on the following link to set up a schedule that will automatically run this for you at a pre-defined time.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25046/schedule-sync...
I have one set up that runs at start up but obviously this doesn't help if the contents have changed since then (but for what it is backing up for me, it's not worth it running every hour or so)
Using Sync Toy, create a folder pair that will do the sync 'on demand' and test that it works correctly. Then use the instructions on the following link to set up a schedule that will automatically run this for you at a pre-defined time.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25046/schedule-sync...
I have one set up that runs at start up but obviously this doesn't help if the contents have changed since then (but for what it is backing up for me, it's not worth it running every hour or so)
A live mirror is not a very good backup. It will only protect you from some hardware failures.
A failure that corrupts a file will have the corruption copied to the backup. A virus that encrypts or deletes the file will be mirrored. An accidental deletion will not be protected against.
Mirroring has its place as part of a larger backup strategy, but should not be used as the only backup.
A failure that corrupts a file will have the corruption copied to the backup. A virus that encrypts or deletes the file will be mirrored. An accidental deletion will not be protected against.
Mirroring has its place as part of a larger backup strategy, but should not be used as the only backup.
alock said:
A live mirror is not a very good backup. It will only protect you from some hardware failures.
A failure that corrupts a file will have the corruption copied to the backup. A virus that encrypts or deletes the file will be mirrored. An accidental deletion will not be protected against.
Mirroring has its place as part of a larger backup strategy, but should not be used as the only backup.
Good point but what else would you suggest? I don't really want the "hassle" of having to manually back up files as a routine, hence why I would like a mirror, or at least something that will back up the files once every few days automatically etc. Doesn't need to be a live mirror. Wouldn't be the end of the world if I lost the most recent files, It's mostly the old stuff I don't want to go missing (family pics etc).A failure that corrupts a file will have the corruption copied to the backup. A virus that encrypts or deletes the file will be mirrored. An accidental deletion will not be protected against.
Mirroring has its place as part of a larger backup strategy, but should not be used as the only backup.
Two very easy improvements are:
1. Don't have the backup as a live file system. I have a NAS and do not map a network drive or save the credentials to it. My backup process instantiates the connection with credentials and disconnects when finished. I do this manually with batch files but if using off the shelf software then make sure it can do this before buying. This should keep you safer from encryption type viruses.
2. Have more than one backup target. My NAS is diskless and uses cheap external USB drives. I can then rotate cheap disks so I always have one disconnected in a drawer at home and one 20 miles away in my work drawer. This gives me good backup of the most cherished family photos of the children growing up. Rotate the disks every few months.
1. Don't have the backup as a live file system. I have a NAS and do not map a network drive or save the credentials to it. My backup process instantiates the connection with credentials and disconnects when finished. I do this manually with batch files but if using off the shelf software then make sure it can do this before buying. This should keep you safer from encryption type viruses.
2. Have more than one backup target. My NAS is diskless and uses cheap external USB drives. I can then rotate cheap disks so I always have one disconnected in a drawer at home and one 20 miles away in my work drawer. This gives me good backup of the most cherished family photos of the children growing up. Rotate the disks every few months.
WannaNiceCar said:
Not a perfect solution (Would like to see what others can suggest for this too!) but there is a kind of workaround using Microsoft's wonderfully named Sync Toy.
Using Sync Toy, create a folder pair that will do the sync 'on demand' and test that it works correctly. Then use the instructions on the following link to set up a schedule that will automatically run this for you at a pre-defined time.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25046/schedule-sync...
I have one set up that runs at start up but obviously this doesn't help if the contents have changed since then (but for what it is backing up for me, it's not worth it running every hour or so)
Does SyncToy work on Win10? I looked into it a while back and couldn't get it to install, which is a shame as I'd previously used it for backups by manually running the sync when I wanted to backup to my NAS.Using Sync Toy, create a folder pair that will do the sync 'on demand' and test that it works correctly. Then use the instructions on the following link to set up a schedule that will automatically run this for you at a pre-defined time.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25046/schedule-sync...
I have one set up that runs at start up but obviously this doesn't help if the contents have changed since then (but for what it is backing up for me, it's not worth it running every hour or so)
wiggy001 said:
Does SyncToy work on Win10? I looked into it a while back and couldn't get it to install, which is a shame as I'd previously used it for backups by manually running the sync when I wanted to backup to my NAS.
Yes, it works just as well as it did under the previous versions of Windows and I use it regularly for backing up to my NAS's as well as for the quick single folder backup that I mentioned in my reply to the OP.Can't recall having any issues installing it, so can't help you with that I'm afraid.
Bikerjon said:
It's not a mirror as such but wouldn't windows 10 file history backup do what you need?
For me personally, no - I have too many drives (both internal and external) and don't want to get to the stage where I've forgotten to insert the necessary drive until it's too late! I have licences for other software that provide the same functionality and from previous experience, I hadn't plugged the drive in recently enough.The folder that I backup when windows starts is one that relates to some bespoke software that I work with. While the files can easily be downloaded once again, I have often made several changes to the ini files since I last remembered to back it up which are a pain to recall and put back in again. As this is the only folder that actually needs backing up, I was hoping that someone could suggest something useful.
I've been looking into this recently as am seriously considering switching back from Mac after 17yrs, and would miss Time Machine.
Have a look at:
- inbuilt tools Windows Backup and Restore and File History. These would have to be used in combination to give a decent solution, but should be easy to script/schedule.
- Genie Timeline. Paid for app, but cheap. Gets very good reviews.
Not sure any of these do exactly what you've noted, but it's somewhere to start. And I think they should provide decent cover.
(Agree with the guys noting potential issues with mirroring too. Scheduled backups to an alternative destination are the way forwards).
Have a look at:
- inbuilt tools Windows Backup and Restore and File History. These would have to be used in combination to give a decent solution, but should be easy to script/schedule.
- Genie Timeline. Paid for app, but cheap. Gets very good reviews.
Not sure any of these do exactly what you've noted, but it's somewhere to start. And I think they should provide decent cover.
(Agree with the guys noting potential issues with mirroring too. Scheduled backups to an alternative destination are the way forwards).
Edited by Murph7355 on Tuesday 27th September 10:57
I'm currently using SyncThing to automatically copy my files between multiple machines, although that has the same risks as a live backup. It does have basic version control/trash can features although it doesn't have any way to deal with conflicts.
TBH I might move back to a more manual solution (e.g. SyncToy or FreeFileSync) for certain things while using SyncThing for others.
TBH I might move back to a more manual solution (e.g. SyncToy or FreeFileSync) for certain things while using SyncThing for others.
As others have said, between File History and Backup and Restore you should be able to achieve it. If you're feeling more adventurous you could use robocopy on a scheduled task. These are all in Windows ready for you to use.
OneDrive works well for me at work but you'd need to pay for storage.
I haven't used any third party applications so no comment from me on those.
OneDrive works well for me at work but you'd need to pay for storage.
I haven't used any third party applications so no comment from me on those.
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