Overview of the main programs for creating backups for Windows

Creating a backup (backup, backup) is the easiest and most reliable way to protect important data from all sorts of troubles. Whether it is the influence of a virus, equipment failure, accidental deletion, etc. A timely created backup can save a lot of nerves, efforts and resources. Even if only family photos or a collection of your favorite music are stored on your computer, you don't want to lose them at all. And what can we say about business information, the loss of which can turn into a real disaster.

To simplify the collection and processing of backups, you can use tools specially created for this. Among other things, they make it possible to create backups automatically on a schedule, because a person may simply forget to start creating a backup at the most inopportune moment.

For the Windows operating system, there are many programs for creating backups and restoring data from them. Each has its own characteristics, disadvantages and advantages. In this review, we will consider several of the most mature, in our opinion, software products and evaluate them according to the main criteria - paid / free, functionality and usability.

Cobian Backup

A very common program for creating backup copies of data and restoring them from backups.

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Cost : Free

Languages : support for 15 languages, including Ukrainian and Russian

Operating system support : Windows NT / 2000/2003 / XP / Vista / 7/8 / 8.1 / 10

Interface : as simple as possible, intuitive. Suitable for beginners. The translation is complete and correct. There are many settings, you can change most of the parameters of the program.

Key features : IT analyst job description

creating backups manually and on a schedule (one-time, on certain days of the week or month, by timer);

FTP protocol support - uploading ready-made backups or individual files to a remote FTP server, including over a secure SSL protocol and through a proxy;

backups can be created both full and incremental (only for changed files);

backups can be encrypted using the AES algorithm, keys with a length of 128, 192 and 256 bits are supported;

compression of copied data is supported to reduce the size of archives;

there is support for remote control of the program via a local network or via the Internet;

command line supported;

settings can be password protected;

it is possible to close / run third-party programs when you start or finish creating a backup;

data recovery from a copy is carried out in one click, it is possible to customize the process - restore all files, individual folders, only changed ones, etc.

Disadvantages:

many cloud storages (Google Drive, Dropbox, Yandex Disc, etc.) are not supported, except for those with FTP access;

no cloning / sector-by-sector copying of disks;

no versions for other OS.

Conclusions : Cobian Backup is definitely our favorite, most often we recommend this program to our customers. Thanks to its simple interface, free and wide functionality, this utility is an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced users. For a more detailed introduction to the Cobian Backup tool, read our advanced overview with step-by-step instructions.