mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Can any Hoggers advise or recommend on software to use to automatically back up photos from my computer?

We have been manually saving to external HDs, one for Docs and one for Pics, but recently discovered the hard way that we have lost some photos after a drive failure last year. A rigorous schedule of b/u would have saved us!

We are using Windows 10 pro on a mid spec Dell laptop. My concern is that more software interacting will either slow things down or cause complications.

thanks in advance.

anotherview Loc: California

Synctoy from Microsoft can do the job. I use it.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Look under SEARCH in the forum for the subject: computer backup. Redundancy is the key- multiple backups or a RAID plus an off site backup too in case of disaster at your computer location( fire, flood, etc). Once the system is set up it still has to be tested randomly to assure it is functioning properly. if you can't recover backed up information you don't have a functioning backup system. US software may not work "down under", so check locally for what is available in your country.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I use, and have been using SyncBack Free since it's introduction in 2003. Great software, runs in the background, and once you set it up, it runs and verifies your backups. The best part is the price -

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

I use Synchtoy from Microsoft as well. It is free. I can designate which folders I want to back up and to where. You can schedule it to run on a recurring basis or run it manually. A nice feature is that it does incremental backups and supposedly keeps track of files that have been renamed or moved around. Since it only copies changes, it is relatively fast. The following is from SynchToy's help menu:

SyncToy helps you save time, minimize network usage, and save disk space by only copying when necessary.

The simple, fast, and familiar Windows interface lets you point and click to define your folders and the SyncToy actions you want performed on each folder pair. You choose the appropriate action when you create a folder pair, and the action determines how SyncToy handles file conflicts such as:

Files that have been renamed in both folders,
Files deleted from one folder and renamed in the other,
Files renamed in one folder and modified in the other, and
Many other file conflict situations.
SyncToy enables you to save how you want your folder pairs synced so you can sync again and again with a single click of a button.

SyncToy lets you sync a single pair of folders or all of your folder pairs with a single click. You can even set up SyncToy to run unattended .

Mdh Loc: Clearwater, Florida

I have an attachment that will download photos from memory card to my iPad. The attachment is $29. photos automatically go to the cloud. Best 99 cents a month I have ever spent!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I use the Microsoft SyncToy and a pair of external HDDs. One is kept in my RV and the other in my office. Instructions and support are minimal.

An inexpensive alternative with support, tutorials, website, etc is GoodSync for $30. http://www.goodsync.com/ GoodSync has versions for both Apple and PCs.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I've used SyncBackSE for years and it has always performed as expected. Plus, it's fast and intuitive and free. It's designed for local backups (meaning, to an external drive connected to your PC). You should also consider a backup placed off site, in case of a major event at your home. I was never much in favor of cloud backups, but due to circumstances that changed, I started using CrashPlan several weeks ago. All I can say is, "It's slick!!". I would highly recommend either of these products.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I use SynToy as well and love it, but I don't think it will run automatically. You must discipline yourself to run the backup. Am I correct?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Yes, your are correct.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Why not use the same software that should be backing up your computer....or do you not back up the computer?

BBurkett

I also vote for SyncBack. A lot of options for versatility local and network backup destinations.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Geni9

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Sounds like a great program! I am currently doing backups manually. And with several places to back things up, I don't always keep up...

Will it work with Windows 10? I looked it up online, and it only mentions Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Not exactly up-to-date!

I am always leery of downloading something new without knowing it will mesh with my systems.

Susan