How can I make my Windows backup real simple?

February 4, 2014 7:45 PM

I use Windows.. XP then 7 and now 8.1. I usually backup by dragging and copying to an external hard drive because, the last time I checked, the Windows backup app creates a weird huge file with a strange proprietary extension. I'd like to find a simple backup app which copies my folders and files to an external drive without compression or conversion, with the capability to do incremental backups. Recommendations?
posted by mono blanco to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

The built in File History backup utility seems to do this and in a very straightforward fashion. I use it and it's great. It's a part of 8/8.1.
posted by kbanas at 7:54 PM on February 4, 2014

SyncBack Free
posted by kbuxton at 8:13 PM on February 4, 2014 [1 favorite]

Second Copy is another option that does what you want, although it's not free.
posted by tyllwin at 9:00 PM on February 4, 2014

Best answer: Microsoft SyncToy does file synchronization one way (for backup purposes) and does incremental natively.
posted by Mitheral at 9:11 PM on February 4, 2014

Cobian backup
posted by flug at 3:42 AM on February 5, 2014

Seconding SyncToy. It's very simple, and just works.
posted by scruss at 7:16 AM on February 5, 2014

I use Free File Sync to do exactly this.
posted by sevenless at 7:37 AM on February 5, 2014

Thirding SyncToy. Exactly what scruss says.
posted by kochenta at 11:11 AM on February 5, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks. All look good but I just downloaded and am running SyncToy since it gets multiple votes.
posted by mono blanco at 5:48 PM on February 5, 2014