Does not sound like a good time for you. When you got the virus, did it also affect the external drive you had attached to your computer? I wonder if that is a concern also.

I am still evaluating Syncback. Do you know if Syncback has the flexibility to automatically create iterations of backups? Or do you have to do that manually by running the full backup process on different days and possibly on different hard drives?

I think I've got it narrowed down to Ashampoo Backup, Backup for All (same as FBackup), and Sync Back Pro.

Well, I've tried that, but I do not see thumbnails, just icons indicating a photo image is there, not a thumbnail of the photo itself. Maybe I have something set wrong on my computer.

[quote=markngolf]Consider Acronis True Image. I've used it for 15+ years.

I've looked at it and like it, so I am still considering it. I've sent their support a question about thumbnail display of photos. At this time, my tests show that their backup files show an icon, but not a thumbnail of an image. Not a big deal, but I prefer thumbnails. If I have to restore an image, I want to be able to select it visually without opening it or using the file name. But thanks for the recommendation. Good to know when someone is experiencing success with a software choice.

Interesting side light-After Googling different kinds of backup software, I seem to be getting lots of backup software pop-up ads when I visit various sites on the internet, including the UglyHedgehog.

[quote=NCMtnMan]You might want to checkout FBackup. They have a free and paid version. Their backup software gives you the option of performing a zipped backup or a native backup. The native backup is like you ....

I am currently checking out FBackup.

Thank you, DirtFarmer, for your comments. I think I have the off-sitedness figured out. I plan to use IDrive for that purpose. My current investigation is to deal with backing up to my external drive. Have been using Comodo, but it is a little outdated. Unfortunately, I cannot use Grandma's location, unless I bury a hard drive at the cemetery. In all seriousness, I do appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you, TriX again for your comments, all important considerations. A) I agree that I want software that gives me a mirror copy. B) I had not thought about the iterations issue. Will consider it in my evaluations. C) While testing various softwares, I came across the delete issue when I tried AOMEI backup. They do not handle it the way I preferred.

Thanks again TriX. I did some UglyHeadhog google searching and found some very good discussions about backing up files. Not sure what software I will get yet or what process I will follow, but I have a number of alternatives.

Thank you. I will do a bit more searching.

I'll take another look at it.

Sorry, but I found Syncback to be confusing and not user-friendly. Maybe I am spoiled with some software and expecting too much. Thank for you feedback though.

[quote=DirtFarmer]Your UHH search failed because the UHH search feature sucks big time. It apparently only searches on the titles. The subject has been discussed quite a lot here.

You mentioned being able to see thumbnails. That sort of implies that you are focusing on your photopile. When talking about backup you should be considering everything on your computer. Photos, word processing, spreadsheets, email, program configuration files, data, etc... The only thing you probably don't need to back up is your programs. They are easily replaceable by downloading from the original source. However, any configuration files should be backed up so you don't have to try to remember how you had the program set up. Probably instead of "thumbnails" you should be referring to "icons".


Thanks for responding. I am using a PC-Windows 10. My budget is probably under $100 one time purchase.
I realize there are many important files on my hard drive other than my photo files, but most, if not all, of the backup software I have reviewed cover the backup of non photo files with no problem. So that is why my question relates only to my image files. I am looking for software to backup my image files to an external drive. I've got the cloud backup covered with iDrive.

iDrive to the external drive does not provide a thumbnail image of my image files. It doesn't even provide an image format. It is some kind of compressed format. Acronis True Image is probably my favorite from a standpoint of being user friendly, and it appears to be comprehensive, but it does not provide a thumbnail of my images, just an icon that it is an image. EaseUS is also Ok, but it does not provide thumbnails. AOMEI provides thumbnails, but IMO it has a severe syncing weakness related to deleted files.

So maybe I am being too particular about being able to see thumbnails instead of icons, but that is my preference.

I've done a search on this subject and it appears it has not been discussed on this forum since 2015. I've downloaded and tried several different brands of backup software and have not found one that I feel covers everything I want. I'm not asking for too much, am I? User friendly, scheduling, selective folder or files backup, being able to see a thumbnail of the image backed up on my external drive? In fact, very few provide the thumbnail image of a photo. Most programs do compression into one huge backup file and if a separate backup image file is shown, only the file name or an icon of the photo file is shown. I'm even willing to pay for the software. Anyone have any recommendations for me? Thank you.