It would also have to recognize files that had been deleted and delete them on the backup.

If you delete it from the backup what is the use of a backup?
I use Microsoft Synctoy - an old program no longer supported by Microsoft. You can choose other free sync programs that are still current. Something like this. CLICK ON ME
I set Synctoy to sync the required folders and have it set to a shutdown shortcut on the desktop, That way when I shutdown the computer with the shortcut
it checks the folders against the external, makes the required changes and then shuts the computer down.
And it will delete from the external if set that way.

I can plug the external into any other computer without Synctoy and read the files.

 

You can use Windows File History

Backup and restore with File History - Microsoft Support

Learn how to configure File History and how to recover files and folders that have been deleted or accidentally changed.

support.microsoft.com

Or You can just drag and drop or Copy and Paste files to a folder on your external drive.
If you have something like TeraCopy installed on your computer, when you copy a file to your external drive, if the file already exists in that location, it will tell you there is a file with this same name, do you want to Overwrite it? (making it the most recent copy) or Save both copies? with a different name, or Delete? the new copied file.

Any Backup program, including Acronis, will require you to use the app you backed up with, to view a particular file and restore it.

Acronis Support Portal

care.acronis.com

 

Files that had been deleted on my computer would have to also be deleted on the backup.

I think Sync is a much better word.

I've now tired both SyncToy and FreeFileSync. Both look like they do what I'm looking to do. Wish WD or Seagate would make easy software like these.

Now I have to check out TeraCopy. That probably won't happen tonight, but I'm excited to see how it does.

 

Files that had been deleted on my computer would have to also be deleted on the backup

Synctoy will do that

 

Thanks all. I got tied up with life and haven't been able to do all the test/investigation I intended. Hopefully this coming week will allow for more time.

 

I use SyncBackFree, you can set it to do all the things you mention, you can backup or sync, it works great for me.

 

SyncBackFree also look promising. I like the Mirror option. Which option do you use?

Also, I noted two versions (free) for download SyncBack_Setup.exe and SyncBack_Setup_NE.exe. I'm guessing one is the Admin only version and the other is the standard user and Admin user. Any idea which is which?

 

The top one with the Administrators symbol is the one for Administrators only (i.e. SyncBack_Setup.exe).

 

Thank you

 

I've been using MirrorFolder for years. Not free, $45, but it's an excellent program that does everything you mentioned and has a great user interface.
I use Macrium Reflect to make image backups but have MirrorFolder always running backing up just important folders. I back them up to a 2nd hard drive and across my local network to another computer. Always better to have two backups.

 

syncback free and macrium reflect free are my usage. One thing I would recommend is that you setup the computer drive with 2 partitions. D: is then used for your stuff - documents, downloads, portable programs, etc. and C: is only system and installed programs. All your user folders can easily be moved using file explorer. Rt clk on the folder, clk properties, clk location tab, change C to D and OK out. Windows moves the folder to D:. Then image C: with macrium and use syncback for D:. The advantage of doing this is that you can reinstall the system drive if you have problems with it, (virus, unintended deletes, corrupt drive, etc.) without disturbing your stuff on D:. Just make sure you periodically image C: in a time frame depending on your usage. It is infinity easier than having to reinstall Windows, then reinstall and reconfigure all your programs, and copy back all your stuff from a backup - which you have of course, right? That is why you use syncback. This is very ease on a new install or new computer for most ppl. Modifying one that has been with only a C: partition for a while requires shrinking the C: partition to create a D: partition. This may require a little more technical savey. The C: partition should be 100-150GB depending on how many programs you have loaded or intend to load. With probably more programs than most ppl, my C: drive usage is 130GB, so 150GB is fine for me. Again, that is with my User folders on D:

 

BTW, if you use syncback in the auto mode to mirror make sure you set the When > Periodically to run "after a while" so that it doesn't delete something on your backup immediately if you accidently delete it. If you have a large backup drive you can set it to backup instead of mirror so that is doesn't delete anything on the backup.

 

Hi Tony Di, great to see you here.
Mirror folder looks excellent to me. I use Handy Backup which isn't free either but
my issue with them is they are a part time resource I believe and the program does synch as well as backup but when I have had licenses issues they take a week to respond so I have been looking for something to replace them and this looks perfect. I also like the automatic running in the background as Handy Backup has to be scheduled and I have always been looking for a program that synchs automatically on it's own once setup. Ever since Symantec bought Drive Image and killed Datakeeper I have been looking for a resource that will save in the background using idle time and this looks like an answer to a dream!

 

Hi Rich, Good to hear from you. It's been a while.
Have you tried ClickFree? They're no longer in business. Their backup drives would backup files in the User directory with familiar extensions right out of the box. No need to tweek it for most users. There were exceptions - for instance, I use FileMaker. ClickFree didn't backup FileMaker extension files so I did have to tweek that.

 

Never heard of it Tony but I will check it out...I have many clients using EZ Backitup which is long out oif support and
requires total setup with no compression available but I tire of lack of support frankly though it does work flawlessly
as a limited file and data backup program.