There is almost no software around that has not got bugs. This software hardly has any... it certainly is NOT a beta version.

Yes Synctoy works under Win10.

I also use SyncToy and love it! https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15155

I have to use Macrium Reflect with my tablet -- nothing else will boot it -- & I keep looking at every new version of alternatives because MR has been error prone & installing it has more impact on Windows than some alternatives.

In the absence of official reply, I inform you that it does indeed seem to only back up files, not Operating System with installed programs/entire partitions.

In contrast, the free AOMEI Backupper Standard does both tasks and would, in my opinion, be a better choice.

N.B. I do not feel happy commenting in favor of a different program than the one generously offered here for free, but consider that the ultimate objective of this discussion is to help visitors make the best decisions. Also to help developers offering their products here appreciate the competition they're up against and more effectively deal with it by improving their products.

As tomcat posts, it's a file backup, though what is your system but a set of files & folders? In the old days boot files where on the same partition where Windows lives, & that's still possible today, but on newer PCs/laptops/tablets there's most often a separate partition for that stuff. So the lines blur...

A file backup, like what you get with Backup4all, is better when you only want to be able to restore a limited number of files/folders, because since it stores files & folders, it's quicker, more efficient to both backup & restore.

A disk/partition image backup stores the raw data, so it's better when you want to deal with entire disks/partitions. When you want to deal with individual files & folders however, that raw data has to be converted to files & folders, making it less efficient.

The ideal solution is to deal with everything on your drives/partitions as a whole separately from dealing with your stuff, your docs & pictures & music files etc. You have to do more up front, deciding on 2 methods, getting the required software, & learning it, but afterwards it's easier, faster, & more efficient.

Some software like AOMEI & Paragon might try to do it all... check it out yourself & compare what you can get from separate file backup &/or syncing apps vs. image backup software that's had file backup &/or syncing tacked on. I like AOMEI's backup app, but I tried its file/folder backup with win8.1 & it failed. If I hadn't tested it myself I would not have known.

"I can back up files on an external storage device. I can restore the files later by dragging and dropping them to my new hard drive if I’ve replaced it."

1) you want to use cloning software, or restore a full disk backup in that case.
2) if the old drive has not failed, check to see if your software needs to be deactivated 1st -- some software will think you're trying to make an illegal copy, then do nasty things that will make getting it reactivated difficult if not near impossible.
3) copying files/folders can be much more difficult, or at least more time consuming than you'd imagine. Try it with the files/folders you're talking about & see how well it works -- not being a smart a** but seriously. Windows, security software, some files types, some storage devices and so on can all have unexpected effects.
.

Sadly you are correct, recently to ask a question is marked down, yet this site has helped so many people because of questions that were asked.

Somehow this got lost
It is harking back to the days of Fubar when rudeness was the norm, let's not go back to that state, please!

From my understanding, this program does not back up systems but files. Consequently, you shouldn't need to have it installed in order to manually recover your files, e.g. from an external drive.

You would, of course, need it for automatic back up and automatic recovery.

RE: Backup4all...
backup4all.com/kb/configuring-a-backup-to-run-automatically-when-the-usb-drive-is-plugged-in-248.html

"This article shows how to configure the Portable edition of Backup4all installed on a flash drive..."

backup4all.com/kb/restore-data-after-a-hard-drive-crash-121.html

"This article explains how to restore files and folders from a backup after a hard drive crash."

---

This sort of question gets asked a lot... Generally if you have a full backup that would presumably include the backup software you got from GOTD. Sometimes -- like today -- the backup format is compatible with any software that can handle .zip files. And if the software -- again like today -- is available as a trial, that trial should work. And worst case, the reason for GOTD is to let you fully use software that you'll hopefully buy if it proves very useful -- there's no shame in supporting the companies kind enough to give us these apps on GOTD.

Do Note: there are several strategies to cope with a hard drive failure or a system failure etc., & most all of them may or may not work on your hardware or device. It's best to NOT rely on what *Should* work, but to test using the hardware you want to use it on. There's not room here to list all of the potential problems, & it would be of questionable use anyway. You should try software before you buy -- you should test any recovery solution before you need it, because after all, getting your stuff back is even more important than not wasting your time & money on software you don't like or that doesn't work.

Hi why don't you back your documents up online - I use microsoft onedrive its free or even copy them o a usb stick ??? plenty of backup software do incremental backups thats what you need so every change is backed up.

Hi Dike. You didn't need to write a novel to get a solution of your problems - unless you're joking. Your answer is written in the first post. Take a peek at Aomei Backupper Standard, which will suit all your needs - and then some. Your documents is easy to backup online, as, Dave, just answered. All of your problems solved. Have a nice day ;)

For obvious reasons I'll pass today's offer. I have everything, I need, from Aomei Backupper Standard (freeware) and same developers OneKey Recovery - freeware as well. It works for me, and I hope, today's offer will work great for others. Thanks a lot anyway for generous offer.

To be honest, you're in the wrong place for answers to so extensive a query as that: a search engine would be a better place to start. You could probably do with some help, too, about what-does-what, so I'd suggest you try these links:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/types-backup-software-what-s-difference-between-disk-imaging-file-based-backup-or-synchroniz

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/file-backup-terminology-what-do-terms-differential-incremental-mean-and-how-will-they-help-m

and then take a look at any on this list:

http://www.freeware-guide.com/dir/util/backup.html

It'll maybe take you an hour or so to complete your own research, including downloading GOATD's present offer of today's commercial program and trying it out to see if it suits your individual needs.

I've been using Karen's Replicator to back up my data. Works really well.It's freeware. http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/karens_replicator.html

Dave "backup online"... What do you do when you don't a connection to your ONEDRIVE (or cloud backup for that matter)? Don't get me started on "cloud based services" unless you have your OWN cloud drive setting on your neighbors system that you can access w/o touching your ISP's network.

I use Easeus Every Sync; it's free, and with an 8GB USB flash drive permanently plugged in it automatically syncs whatever folders you set it up for; as soon as you alter the file on your PC.

"... some documents, files very much are getting lost on my pc (windows 7 ), and some applications also crash very much. I have much assurity that there are no virus or malware... Please dont tell me to reinstall my os too."

Frankly speaking if I may, your system's broken. Crashes should be very rare, if they happen at all. Regarding malware, for the most part it doesn't make your system run bad, since that would prompt many users to find out why &/or reinstall Windows, & then they might have to go to the trouble of reinfecting your system all over again. That said, if you're running a security software trial, that means it's only been there for less than the trial period -- especially if you were running nekid beforehand, you could very well be infected. Why does any of that matter? Odds are higher than any backup software [or any software for that matter] will not run properly on a broken system

Otherwise, based on your stated needs, Backup4all Lite could do exactly what you want, so maybe give it a try.

"I use Easeus Every Sync; it’s free, and with an 8GB USB flash drive permanently plugged in it automatically syncs whatever folders you set it up for..."

Cool... until the flash drive breaks. And they do break. My concern is that if the stick is only used as a place to put copies of the files, would you know if those files are even readable? IMHO you need to add an extra step to that or else when/if you need whatever's stored on the USB stick you might find that you have only part of what you need, or nothing at all.

Henry:
Are you sure EASUS EVERY SYNC is free?
Thanks for your response.

I have built and worked on computers since 1985 and you do need a reliable back-up plan but more importantly you would be much better off if you either have yours repaired or just unplug it and buy a new one. The problems you are referring to could be caused by a number of things. Your data can be restored to your new rig. I do not know your level of expertise but fighting and dithering with this problem is worse than the malfunction. Most people get 5 years down the road and just get a new one, don't lose data and don't worry! None of these programs fix broken!

Have a good day!

It sounds like you need to replace your hard drive more than a backup solution.
Hard drive with bad sectors give you " because some documents, files very much are getting lost on my pc (windows 7 ), and some applications also crash very much"

And today backup program meets all your listed criteria!

Recently my XP install began to lose files and suffer crashes; in essence it turned out to be insufficient space on my C drive. It became so bad that I was suffering disk thrashing and these are the tools that help me solve the problem.

Previous giveaways:-
Sysresources Manager – good for showing disk activity
http://www.optwinsoftware.com/sysresources_manager_changelog.htm
Auslogics Boostspeed-this really surprised me as to how much it helped
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/boost-speed/?reason=Company_website&source=boost-speed&registered=true

Freeware
What’s My System Doing
http://www.itsth.com/en/produkte/Whats-my-computer-doing.php?fromwmcd
Activity Monitor
http://www.georgousis.info/blog/?page_id=552

Any good defragging program after removing many files.

Certainly XP gets into real difficulties if there is insufficient space on the C drive, not always apparent immediately but gets worse as fragmentation gets worse.

Just in case you are suffering from the same problem.

If your ever had to reinstall all your programs one-by-one you would understand the need for backup of your operating system and program files. The data files are important too------like that once-in-a-lifetime photo and that what the "cloud" is for. Hard drives and solid state drives have a habit of failing and a bad virus infection can wipe a hard drive. I use Norton Ghost, EaseUS Todo Backup and Eassos System Recovery successfully in backing up my "C" drive where Windows and the programs are stored. I have a separate on-board SSD for Data files which are also backed up to external networked hard drives (note the plural hard drives). I have been using Norto Ghost for some years but am now looking for another program as Symantec is no longer supporting Norton Ghost, hence my use also of the EaseUS and Eassos programs until I settle on one.

Thank yoiu for taking the trouble to explain. Didn't think it that way.

I think they replaced Norton Ghost by Symantec System Recovery 2013 R2:
http://www.symantec.com/system-recovery-desktop-edition/

"I don’t understand the nature of Backup Programs. Isn’t archiving files and burning it on CD’s not enough for this kind of job. I never found a use for Backup Programs, except for Image creation of the HDD partition from Acronis or Paragon. Why Backup files?"

Software including Windows itself changes when you install an update or newer version. *Your* stuff OTOH changes when you add photos or video or music or docs etc. That means Your stuff might change every hour or even every few minutes. And worst case you can always reinstall Windows & your software -- your stuff might be irreplaceable.

So there's file backup software that lets you backup what's critical to you easier faster than creating a disk/partition image, & those file backups usually take up less space, depending of course on how much you have to back up.

Microsoft, Google etc. would rather you just stored all that stuff in the cloud, & let them worry about keeping it safe. If you don't buy into that, Backup4all Lite is one possible solution. Yes, you can do the same sort of thing manually, copying or saving copies of your stuff somewhere else -- this just makes it easier.

"It should be possible to take advantage of certain technologies like last modified dates and volume shadowcopy service to only backup what data files and documents changed since last backup was performed and be able to make a consistent backup of files currently open and locked by the file system respectively."

According to their docs on the developer's site, that's exactly what Backup4all does.

"Without full system imaging I fail to see how this program lives up to the “All” part of its name, as not all want a documents backup program as all current windows versions have that functionality built-in at no additional cost!"

Windows 7 yes -- later versions not so much. 10 for example would have you store your stuff on OneDrive, & when/if necessary restore Windows using it's recovery options. While less efficient than a disk/partition image backup, on many current systems a Backup4all Windows partition file backup should work just as well to restore that partition so it runs. That's because all the critical boot files are on a separate partition.

Actually, archiving files on CD is a backup program - it's just a manual one. The advantage of a program to do it is that it happens automatically - so when your system crashes or you delete the wrong file, there's not that awful sinking feeling of "when did I last back up?". Same advantage of backing up onto an external hard drive (or online, though that's pretty slow) rather than a CD - it doesn't require you to remember to do it, it just happens (if you've got a good program!).

Imaging is a different matter - it's taking a snapshot of your system as it is at one moment in time. So if your computer completely fries, at least theoretically you can recreate it by restoring your latest system image - OS, installed programs, settings, and every file. It is a theoretical ideal - an awful lot of otherwise good backup programs fall down on the restoring the whole system - but even if it can't perfectly recreate your computer it stores all the files (so it's almost as good as a file backup - but slower and larger).

While AOMEI can do file backups, when I've tried to use it that way for a win8.1 backup, restoring those files/folders failed. IMHO it's primarily an image backup app, where it can do fine, providing the bootable USB stick [or CD/DVD] you create with it works for your device.

Backup4all Lite OTOH is a file backup app, giving you a lot more flexibility -- rather than backing up everything to an image [like an ISO for your hard drive partition], it backs up the files/folders you tell it to.

An image backup is best to restore the entire partition or partitions on the hard drive. A file backup is best when there are just certain files you need to protect by backing them up -- depending on how much you're backing up, it's generally less work & so faster & more painless.

Yes! AOMEI IS the best system backup. I tried (and purchased) Acronis and Paragon and they are just about impossible to use or get any help on --- confusing interface --- un-bootable recovery drive, etc - just to name a few things and not to mention the upgrade cost and support costs are equal or more than to the product cost for these products. With AOMEI, even the free version allows moving the whole system to another drive FLAWLESSLY! Great image software with differential and incremental backup capability.

BackupForAll is best for backup up groups of folders or files or pictures onto an editable ("get your arms around everything") stream. Really good software for files and systems and NOT for OS systems or drive images. Great for keeping separate backup of different projects (like Project 1 = every day and Project 2 = once per week, etc.).

I haven't tried todays gotd. But, No one here has mentioned "Ocster Backup" -- My personal favorite. I liked the free version enough to spring for the Pro around $30, if I remember correctly. Usual disclaimers apply. This proggie does either image (includes boot info, etc) or file and folder. It is unique in that it uses a technique called Infinite Reverse incremental Backup, which means that the latest backup is always complete, you only need to use the incremental features if you want to recover a previous backup. It is reasonably fast and easy to use and has most, if not all of the usual assortment of features. It has "saved my bacon" Numerous times. Ocster's support has always been helpful. Havng used and discarded several other alternatives (Norton,Paragon,easeus,etc, etc) I can heartily recommend Ocster! Just MHO... http://www.ocster.com/