Poll on Backup software

cereberus · Feb 14, 2025

AndreyT said:
No, it cannot. And we don't appreciate suggestions to "ask AI' in this forum. Please refrain from making such suggestions in the future, even if you have nothing better to do. (That is unless you are implying that the thread starter is an AI.)

And no, it is not "obvious by context". Speaking from the experience, I can attest that it often so happens that people are simply oblivious to non-imaging-based backup solutions. So, my question to the OP is: why is the poll so biased towards imaging software? Is it because the OP consciously wants/needs an imager? Or is it the OP never even knew alternative approaches existed?

For crying out loud - this post was originated a long time ago. It is totally 100% absolutely undeniably obvious OP was referring to imaging tools, not to wider backup scenarios.

So stop being ridiculous and making insulting assertions about the OP.

On simple terms, if you do not like this poll, feel free to set up one yourself!

Tester · Feb 14, 2025

Well i guess if the backup program also does the imaging, then where missing a bunch of software on the list.
For example all the backup solutions that i used in the past 25years for work, are not on the list. Those might not be named as imaging solutions in the program, and have diffrent features with it. With full system backups we can just restore an "image" from any day back, and customize the data before pushing it to a machine. It might not be an image as a full file, but it contains all data. Especially handy if you backup storage solutions has deduplication build in it. So if you backup lets say 10 windows machines with the same version, the entire OS / software is deduplicated on it. While every machines might take 50gb to bckup and without deduplication it would cost 500gb to store the images, it now only stores lets say 90gb of data. (some data is diffrent on machines). However for every system you can push out the entire "image" of the machine back. Like all the software here does. Pricing would be also skyrocket with this software..
However this site might just be more focused on homeusers, then ofcouse the list would be more correct.
At home i use Macrium, but actually never needed it to restore an image to my pc to. Only have it in case i have no time to do a reinstall, as i would prefer that at home more.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

@AndreyT

"No, it cannot. And we don't appreciate suggestions to "ask AI' in this forum." You do not speak for me. Are you a forum moderator?

ChatGPT is my first port of call for most of my queries. It is particularly goos at finding solutions to Windows problems and can write effective PowerShell scripts.

Disk Imaging is just one kind of backup. It seems to be a favoured method among members because it is quick, efficint and reliable.

antspants · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
@AndreyT

"No, it cannot. And we don't appreciate suggestions to "ask AI' in this forum." You do not speak for me. Are you a forum moderator?

ChatGPT is my first port of call for most of my queries. It is particularly goos at finding solutions to Windows problems and can write effective PowerShell scripts.

Disk Imaging is just one kind of backup. It seems to be a favoured method among members because it is quick, efficint and reliable.

View attachment 125437

I was trying to work out why I couldn’t find this members original comment… then it dawned on me.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

AndreyT said:
No, it cannot. And we don't appreciate suggestions to "ask AI' in this forum. Please refrain from making such suggestions in the future, even if you have nothing better to do. (That is unless you are implying that the thread starter is an AI.)

And no, it is not "obvious by context". Speaking from the experience, I can attest that it often so happens that people are simply oblivious to non-imaging-based backup solutions. So, my question to the OP is: why is the poll so biased towards imaging software? Is it because the OP consciously wants/needs an imager? Or is it the OP never even knew alternative approaches existed?

Which 'Backup' program(s) would you commend to the forum?

neves · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
ChatGPT is my first port of call for most of my queries. It is particularly goos at finding solutions to Windows problems and can write effective PowerShell scripts.

Dito. It's 2025 ffs (we're in the age of A.i. - tech evolution wise). All humans have their limited knowledge (or highly limited - to the point of being visibly ignorant), even our memory gets fickle with passing time and/or all the stress of our daily lives. A.I. on the other hand - has vast resources at its disposal and a higher mental capacity - than all the brightest minds combined (pragmatic/practical intellect wise). A.I.'s only weakness - is emotional intelligence - tho, even in this regard "by logical understanding alone" it can surpass the majority of humans - it can even give legitimate advice - but borrowed from others (similar to an intellectual human psychopath - who lacks or has very low empathy - but it can mimic a legitimate answer). Hard to say - if tech will ever evolve that far for a machine to understand emotions as well, but when it comes to logical and statistical data involving pragmatic/practical subjects - it's already far superior (more reliable).

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

I disagree, AI still is prone to error.

hdmi · Feb 15, 2025

AndreyT said:
And no, it is not "obvious by context". Speaking from the experience, I can attest that it often so happens that people are simply oblivious to non-imaging-based backup solutions. So, my question to the OP is: why is the poll so biased towards imaging software? Is it because the OP consciously wants/needs an imager? Or is it the OP never even knew alternative approaches existed?

Most people on here don't even understand the definition of the term "data backup". Try asking them if they know what a secondary information repository is, and if they understand the basics of what are some minimum requirements to be able to separate a primary information repository from a secondary information repository. Immediately you will see what I mean.

So, in answer to your question, what this whole 43-page topic is about. It's about the obvious observation that you can get more interesting answers to questions about backup software and imaging software by asking a parakeet what software it uses.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

hdmi said:
So, in answer to your question, what this whole 43-page topic is about. It's about the obvious observation that you can get more interesting answers to questions about backup software and imaging software by asking a parakeet what software it uses.

How rude!

Quexos · Feb 15, 2025

RD Mercer said:
If you ever go the duplicator route, you will never go back. No bloat, just 100% positive results every time.

Not a bad (hardware based) way to do it, if you have a hard drive dedicated to just sitting there with a backup/duplicate on it. The way I see it is imaging software does the same thing, only using your PC as the hardware with the advantage of being able to plop several images, of several OS, from several PCs onto one large storage drive (external in my case) and still use the drive for storage of anything else. ISOs, game files, driver backups, software installers, MP3 collections, etc. etc. Imaging software is much more 'flexible'.

I tend to restore my backups pretty regularly (think once or twice a week) because I like to tinker, and I like a fresh, clean install. So I prefer to have an external drive sitting there with images of whatever I feel like tinkering with. One made right after a fresh install with no drivers or software installed yet (used avery couple months), one more complete with all drivers and frequently used software (used constantly), One MBR, one GPT, Windows LTSC, Windows made from a heavily 'slimmed' ISO, Linux, etc. A hardware "duplicator" would not work for me. I can't afford 8 duplicate hard drives and I sure don't want to physically swap them out to "duplicate/restore".

hdmi · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
How rude!

OK then.. I apologize for having offended the parakeet.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

hdmi said:
OK then.. I apologize for having offended the parakeet.

You were rude to the OP and all the members who posted in this thread. Why don't you ignore threads that irritate you so?

I'm sorry if something made you grumpy today, we all have days like that.

RD Mercer · Feb 15, 2025

Quexos said:
I can't afford 8 duplicate hard drives and I sure don't want to physically swap them out to "duplicate/restore".

I totally understand, as I've said in the past, it may not work for all, but it's works great for my purposes. I can buy a Crucial 1-terabyte M.2 at Micro-Center for around $40.00 US and a Inland 1 terabyte sata for around the same. I have bought 5 of each of these drives over the past few months, all for around $450.00 so not to bad, and I'm certainly no rich man, but it does make my backups a lot easier.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

Duplicators might be useful for those who run desktop computers. But I guess more an more people will just use a laptop.

trevo · Feb 15, 2025

AndreyT said:
So, is it supposed to be about backup or drive imaging?

There is a clue at the head of the Poll, it states:-

"Which imaging program do you use for backups?"

RD Mercer · Feb 15, 2025

trevo said:
There is a clue at the head of the Poll, it states:-

"Which imaging program do you use for backups?"

Yes! lets please not offer any alternatives for those "not in the software know" that might make their lives easier.

kelper · Feb 15, 2025

Why don't the old cynics create a poll about backups that don't use imaging?

hdmi · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
You were rude to the OP and all the members who posted in this thread.

You have absolutely no idea how smart is the parakeet, though..

kelper said:
Why don't you ignore threads that irritate you so?

What makes you think that this thread irritates me? I come here mainly looking for entertainment.

kelper said:
I'm sorry if something made you grumpy today, we all have days like that.

RD Mercer · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
Why don't the old cynics create a poll about backups that don't use imaging?

Hey, I resemble that remark.

RD Mercer · Feb 15, 2025

kelper said:
Why don't the old cynics create a poll about backups that don't use imaging?

Speaking of old, backup software is the old cynic here, not the duplicators.

Poll on Backup software

Which imaging program do you use for backups?

Macrium

EaseUS todo

Aomei

Windows 7 system imaging in Windows 10 or 11

Acronis

Ashampoo

Paragon

Cloud based

Other (please post to explain)

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Jack of all trades – master of none

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Jack of all trades – master of none

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Rt. Hon.Member

"Which imaging program do you use for backups?"​

My Computer

Well-known member

"Which imaging program do you use for backups?"​

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Jack of all trades – master of none

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

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