Before the praises of AOMEI are sung too loudly, its complete capability hasn’t quite yet arrived. In correspondence with the techs I received this caution, inter alia, from them:
‘..We want to remind you is that currently the clone feature of AOMEI Backupper cannot 100% guarantee the cloned drive is bootable.’
Attn. 'James' of Italy...

So, in the meantime, look beyond the dollar signs and refer to the pilot testers’ experiences.
HTH

I've had version 4.0 of this for years & it is very good & useful, so naturally I was looking forward to upgrading to version 6.1, but after repeated attempts & waiting hours each time with no installation success I have given up. Don't recommend anyone waste their time there.

I would not recommend EASEUS, but think you will find AOMEI BACKUPPER perfect. It has a facility to make a WinPE Disk for restore purposes.

I guess Aomei Backupper is pretty good too. However, I just made a WinPE emergency boot disk using EaseUS Todo Backup Home. In case you were not aware, this software is able to download the necessary from Microsoft to create the WinPE to: USB drive; or CD/DVD; or WinPE ISO file.

Tested incremental backup and here I have something, which I didn’t like. Each incremental backup copies the whole directory structure of the choosen backup location. In my case some 17 Mb, even if there is a single 100 kb byte file new to backup. Seems to be waste of space.

If I am not mistaken, the latest directory structure is needed, to provide correct signposting, in case you need to use the incremental back up in a Restore operation later on.

#7 Thank you very much Giovanni for the best suggestions you always give us. I've used Easeus To Do Backup previously and I liked it. Very simple to use. Yes, Aomei Backupper I also found very good and useful.

It will ask you if you want to create Win PE disk right after the installation

Thankyou GOATD
I have a few comments to make installing easier.
The real installer is put in C:\Users\Larry\Documents (Larry=your User name)
The real installer name is: tbh_trial.exe You can copy or move to where you like.
Location: C:\Users\Larry\Documents
Size: 113 MB (119.168.376 bytes)
Size on disk: 113 MB (119.169.024 bytes)
Once the installer runs it will allow you to input the serial# for the program.

Note: Once you install Todo Backup 6.1 and open Tools and click on "Create WinPE emergency disk" -
It will download from MS and create the WinPE ISO. Add 10 minutes to your time.
The install size Goes to 1 GB and not 470 MB as shown in windows uninstall.
Type: File folder
Location: C:\Proqram Files\EASEUS\Todo Backup
Size: 1.00 GB (1.079.907.956 bytes)
Size on disk: 1.01 GB (1.087.500.288 bytes)
Contains: 3.782 Files. 556 Folders
Created: December 11. 2013

Something about this Backup system is, after running the setup.exe file that came up with the wrapper, it would proceed to download the original setup.exe around 112 MB, which just popped up after running the exe file. Which is good, if their was a possibility of further installing on a different system.
HAS ANYONE TRIED THAT.
Also after making a Winpe Recovery disk, i went and saw on the About button, i think that optional Winpe disk too is hardware rigged.
I bet it would not run on a different system.
Why so many limitation. Having a Backup program is good, but a user should also have the option of having a Winpe Disk.
I have found any reply to that. Has anyone noticed that.
My PC is quite under the process of being blown if i keep on installing and uninstalling. Havn't made a backup since my pc is too bloated with free ware and paid ware. But i would love to keep an optional WinPe in my kit.
:(

We've been using EaseUS ToDo Free version on our PCs at home for several years. It's easy to use and very reliable. Today's Giveaway is the "Home" version which adds the useful feature of being able to backup on a regular schedule if you wish.
You can nitpick all day long about what any given piece of software does NOT do, but let's not lose sight of the primary intention of this program which is to provide a high quality, easy to understand backup option for home users. EaseUS ToDo fulfills that need with solid performance and a good track record over several years.

Ah, a big welcome for our latest contestant on "The Back Up is Right!"

At one time a few years back, EaseUS TO DO was my main back up software, and I was always happy with the job it did -besides being free, it was easy to use, had a clear interface, and restored my system on one occasion. Also, I actually prefer Linux based recovery disks -the WinPE works just fine, maybe better for some tasks, but imo Linux in general is a more robust operating environment than Windows and so I don't understand why people think a Linux Recovery Disk is a negative!

At any rate, I haven't kept up with the successive versions of EaseUS, but would also have no reason not to trust those who have reported concerns of one sort or another with recent iterations. But, if it was what I HAD to use, I would also have no qualms about using it -so a 'thumbs up' from me.

As I posted last time we had a back-up GOTD, we are spoiled for good choices now -both of the 'pay per view' and the free variety. It seems to me that at least for the time being, any back up offerings here on GOTD (including today's) are in the position of seeing if they can unseat the champion -Aomei. Ashraf's article on free b/u alternatives is excellent, as are Giovanni's remarks.

I kind of feel bad in one sense for all these developers out there, but -while there are some very good alternatives that do a perfectly good job of backing up, and while it is also the case that there is room in the marketplace for more than one excellent product- Aomei really is that good. And that is coming from someone who just paid out for the latest upgrade of Acronis TI, which I've been using for years; yet, I'm wondering more and more why I did so! :)

EaseUS was certainly a worthy challenger (though probably not the #1 challenger) but, imo, the champion defends his crown!

I had a MAJOR problem with this when it was here the last time. It took over my computer and would not allow it to reboot after windows updates. I had to delete it

I used Easeus over a few versions and whilst it did what it stated in terms of backup and restore, it was so slow compared to other products.

I tried AOMEI BACKUPPER but despite it's range of features and speed, it just didn't work on two successive full restores so if I can't rely on one of it's crucial key factors then it becomes redundant.

It has potential but needs more work and testing and I could not recommend it at present.

Paragon Free 2013 has been the most reliable that I have teste recently although with no incremental backup it does mean using more disk space but as reliability is the key, I'll stick to that for now.

Seriously, if you really started worriying about backup SW today, you're a little late! EaseUS can be a useful assistant for sure, you just need to know what to backup or omit. FYI I use Time-Freeze for testing/trying out programs that I've previously checked in a VM environment (VM-Ware workstation.) Second protection so to speak, is AyRecovery. Should I decide to reverse changes accepted by Time-Freeze, all done in a jiffy... ( both items were giveaways here and you should be able to re-install them...) Just my 2k cents.

Installed on a Win 81. 64 Bit System without problems.

Downloaded the necessary components for the Win PE recovery disk.

I have the Windows® Automated Installation Kit (AIK) installed, which is normally used or the WinPE builder process, but EaseUS wanted to download another zip file (pe4x86.zip, some 180 Mb) in the windows 8.0 32 bit Version and not the correct 8.1 64 bit version. The recovery disk was produced without problems, but I would like to have the correct disk.

The backup process run smootheless, took about the double time of a complete system backup.

Tested incremental backup and here I have something, which I didn't like. Each incremental backup copies the whole directory structure of the choosen backup location. In my case some 17 Mb, even if there is a single 100 kb byte file new to backup. Seems to be waste of space.

Nevertheless a handy backup tool for the not so experienced user.

I'll keep with my old system... (without a user experience task)

Thanks GOATD and EaseUS

If anyone gets an error message when trying to run the downloader, like the following:

Error during execution "EaseUSInstaller.exe".
This program is blocked by group policy. For more information, contact your system administrator.

You might have installed a local security policy to prevent the CryptoLocker infection as shown here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptolocker-ransomware-information#prevent

To install this software, extract the downloader (Setup.exe) to a local folder location, not one that was part of the policy restriction, and run the EaseUSInstaller.exe executable. The downloader will then run, and download the installer (~116MB) to the My Documents directory.

Does anyone know if you create a bootable usb recovery disc from one computer would it work on any computer or do I have to have a separate one for each?

Standing around here waiting for the installer to respond. Sorry, but i don't have time to watch paint dry. My Internet connection is fine, its just their department!

#2:
From my memory and the last time I downloaded EaseUS Todo Backup, the huge size of the download is because it includes an ISO image (around 60 MB).

#3:
The problem with drive letters in Windows is the same as the /dev/xxx in Linux: it depends on the order you plug your external HDDs. But in Linux, you have the possibility to use UUID instead to avoid problems of different disk structures on the same mount point.

#8, #3:
To affect a specific drive letter to a specific HDD, use the Windows built-in disk management tool. That's what I do to a HDD for which I have many scripts using its special drive letter. For example, all SD cards are on "W:".

I would not recommend EASEUS, but think you will find AOMEI BACKUPPER perfect. It has a facility to make a WinPE Disk for restore purposes.
see also: http://www.backup-utility.com/new-features.html

#3 David
Installation gives the impression that it is necessary to start backup immediately, this is not the case.
#8 GreeneyedNewbieNovice
Just install as you normally would, all backups can be started later.
#9 spredov
Ignore the negative votes for Ashras’s comment, it's just our resident moron trying to be clever again.
It's easy to see which comments are being manipulated because of the speed of change all in direction.

I'll pass.
Mainly because I do not trust the negative votes Ashraf has gotten.

Ashraf gets negative votes for two reasons:
- "BAD" review. That is, a review that is NOT neutral and unbiased.
- Some sort of "scam" where someone will give "thumbs down" to a review that is not "favorable enough".

At present time, Ashraf has 34 negative votes.
His review was unbiased enough for me, so there must be another reason for the "thumbs down".
Giovanni only has ONE thumbs up at present time. Which is also unusual.

For the record, I am NOT saying EaseUS Software is manipulating the voting in any way.
I am only saying I do not trust the negative votes (and the missing positive ones) for Ashraf and Giovanni, and see no reason to try out software where these, quite reasonable opinions, are voted down for some reason.

Thank you Ashraf both for your review (which clearly someone's trying to sabotage today) and the sidebar on why the d/l is tiny compared to the monster 101.4KB tb_free file we downloaded but never installed back in Aug.

Thank YOU, #3 - David for the heads up on the destination drive, but some of us (ME!) would really appreciate a more thorough explanation of your solution. We haven't even unpacked our external drive, have no idea what letter it will be. is it pointless to download this since we can't even get to much less unpack our external HD before this darn 24-hour reg window slams shut?

Also, care to share the name of the "small piece of software" used or the easy-peasy steps to "edit the backup plan?" TIA

Unfortunately this is the BASIC version of the main program, so it's a pretty decent software but only for the average Joe Home users out there, since it sports all those basic features a backup software should have (incremental, and differential backups, drive-level/system and file-level backups for basic HD only etc...), but nothing more.

Not enough for me to add it on my terrific arsenal...LOL!

If you need more advanced futures, just use the awesome FREEWARE "AOMEI BACKUPPER", which outclasses this GAOTD 10 times out of 10:

KEY FEATURES

- Backup & Restore your Operating System (system files + boot files) and installed applications
- Backup & Restore your entire hard disk drives, with the ability to encrypt and/or compress the created Image Files, in order to reduce the storage space required
- Backup & Restore your single partitions (including dynamic volumes) to an image file
- Supports incremental & differential backups (http://www.backup-utility.com/features/incremental-differential-backup.html)
- Supports Schedule Windows Backup (Daily/Weekly/Monthly)
- Supports ALL storage devices out there (IDE, SATA, SCSI, SSD, USB external disks, Hardware RAID and so on) with a capacity greater than 2TB, as well as MBR and GPT style
- Supports Windows 7/8/XP/Vista and Server 2003/2008/2011/2012 (both 32bit & 64bit)

Compared to others similar products out there (Easeus, Macrium, Paragon etc...), I can say that this program is much faster at performing the HD backup & cloning process, not to mention that it's also able to create smaller backup files in size as final output.

It can also check the data integrity of your image file, so as to make sure your backups can be restored with no hassle, giving you even the ability to mount your backup image files on a virtual partition in order to browse and see their contents in Windows Explorer.

Unlike most (FREE & PAID) tools out there, it also helps you recover files outside Windows making possible to backup & restore your entire system (HD, Partitions, Apps settings, Operation System etc...) even if Windows for some reasons no longer boots up.

http://www.aomeitech.com/features/system-restore-from-disc.html

Windows PE bootable CD vs Linux bootable CD:

http://www.aomeitech.com/features/create-bootable-disc.html

In addition to that, this awesome software is able to:

- restore individual files and folders from a backup image file without being forced to recover the entire backup.

- backup Dynamic Volumes on Dynamic Disk (==> http://www.backup-utility.com/features/backup-dynamic-disk-volume-freeware.html)

- perform HD and Partition cloning operations, which can be very handy if your main intent is to upgrade/replace/migrate your old HD to a new one (SSD included) belonging to a dissimilar hardware.

In fact, what you have to do is simply to copy your HD directly to a new one, without creating an image file, with the additional cool ability to resize your partitions even during the cloning process.

http://www.aomeitech.com/features/disk-clone.html

To backup files & folders only, see also:

http://www.fbackup.com
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/GFI-Backup-Home-Edition.shtml
http://personal-backup.rathlev-home.de/index-e.html

I'm afraid that tricks like offering the BASIC version of the main program as GAOTD, in the hope people upgrade to the more advanced one paying big bucks for that, no longer work!!

HARD times for EaseUs developer....LOL!

Ran the small setup program.
It downloaded the full installation program.
This would continue no further until it had removed the free version of this program.
Once this was accomplished it installed and registered without any difficulties.
It requires a system reboot to complete the operation.

Typical of EaseUS software in that it appears simple to use and I expect will prove reliable.

THIS TRULY IS A GIFT.
GOTD often Give PSG software here. Paragon's partition manager erased all the data on my HD with a single click. I didn't worry about it until their bootable disk and their backup program was unable to restore my computer.
Then I tried easeus todo backup free version. NO PROBLEM! The UI is so easy to understand. Even a novice will understand it. If Giovanni doesn't agree, then I'm still an novice.

EaseUS installer will download EaseUS Todo Backup Home Trial.
After activating trial with the key, you will have the chance to create WinPE bootable disk, refer to http://www.todo-backup.com/products/features/free-backup-software-winpe.htm

115 MB i am unable to download
it take 30 hours to complete the download
on slow network connections

Good reliable solution.
Things I've found awkward:
1. On installation, it requires you to specify the backup destination. Well, if you don't have your external 1Tb disk (or whatever) plugged in at the time.. you can't.
2. When doing a restore from the program, requiring a reboot, my laptop overheated during the restoration.

I've consistently found with this product only using the WinPE boot disk works. (Once I was forced to use the Linux disk out in the garage one freezing winter)

3. Differential and Incremental backup is launched from 'Management'. Seems a bit of an odd place to put it. Now, if your external backup disk is NOT allocated the same drive letter as in the backup plan, it won't find it.

Your options are either a technical fix using a small piece of software so that backup drive is always allocated the same drive letter (if available) or yo have to edit the backup plan to match the drive letter.

On these grounds I now prefer Aomei Backupper.

FYI: The download size of EaseUS Todo Backup Home from GOTD is only 487 KB because you are downloading the DOWNLOADER of EaseUS Todo Backup Home. When you run the downloader, it will download the installer for EaseUS Todo Backup Home which is roughly 115 MB.

Pros
*Does full, incremental, and differential backups
*Does both drive-level/system and file-level backups
*Has a system ‘snapshot’ feature
*Has email backup that specifically allows backup of Outlook emails
*Can compress, password protection, automatically schedule, and split backups
*Allows for selective restore

Cons
*Cannot restore drive-level/system backups to dissimilar hardware (need Workstation version for that)
*Home version typically can create WinPE but, as far as I know, this giveaway does not include WinPE

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