It is understandably essential to do a regular backup of files
to ensure that important files and data on your PC will remain intact in the
event of a crash or hard drive failure. The reason why every PC user should
practice this is because once any of these unfortunate events occur, these
files and data are gone for good. Below, you'll discover three free tools that
you can use to back up files on your computer and you'll never have to worry
about your precious files going *poof*.
Though there is a number of software and procedures to backup
your files, the following tools provide unique ways to backup your data in
addition to the typical copy and paste trick.
Macrium
Reflect Free lets you make an exact copy of your hard drive for superb backup
protection. It is a drive-imaging tool, which is designed to take an identical
byte-for-byte copy of your PC's hard drive to ensure every file and data is
backed up. This is important in protecting your main system drive from an
unexpected failure. If you need a tool that can do a complete backup, Macrium
Reflect Free accomplishes the job.
To install Macrium
Reflect Free, download it via the link above, then follow the simple on-screen
prompts -- you'll be able to install it in a matter of minutes.
You will then be provided
with the option to automatically choose key partitions necessary for backing up
your Windows computer. It will also allow you to browse backups, retrieve
individual files, and verify your images to make sure you won't be disappointed
in case a disaster occurs. Another great feature Macrium Reflect Free provides
is that it enables users to create a disc rescue so that they're always covered
when crisis strikes.
Users
can turn a second PC into a backup tool for their entire network with the help
of FreeNAS. This solution is perfect especially to those who would like to
convert a 64-bit PC with a lot of RAM into a super powerful NAS. The FreeNAS
backup tool is a complete OS, and with it being "headless," you can
administer it remotely via your browser.
FreeNAS utilizes ZFS
Snapshots to take regular system backups -- as long as space allows it -- so
you can access old files fast and easily. A bonus feature of the tool allows
you to upload media files like movies to your NAS, where any user on the
network can access and watch it from anywhere in the house.
You can get the FreeNAS
tool by downloading it from the link provided above, and simply follow the
download instructions.
Another
great backup tool is the FreeFileSync, which is designed to keep two folders up-to-date and synced.
This is a perfect tool for syncing files between an internal hard drive and an
external hard drive -- let's say a USB flash drive. But if you prefer to switch
the sync setting from Mirror or Update, FreeFileSync has the ability to quickly
back up folders as well.
FreeFileSync's overview
pane gives you a quick glance of how much data needs to be copied or backed up,
as well as breaking it down and organizing everything by type. Both Windows and
Linux users can use the FreeFileSync tool to make sure all their important
files are secured.
You can download
FreeFileSync by clicking on its download page given above, then just follow the
on-screen instructions in order to install it. It's an easy setup and you'll be
surprised that the tool is very simple to navigate and use.