Your PC storage drives gained’t final without end — which is why a backup technique is so essential for retaining your knowledge secure. The finest Windows backup software program is your cowl if/when your major drive fails.
While Apple’s Time Machine offers customers with an efficient, set-it-and-forget-it restoration system, Microsoft customers aren’t so fortunate. Instead, customers are caught deciding one of the simplest ways to maintain their knowledge secure with a patchwork system of restore factors, restoration discs, and file backups. Thankfully, there are a variety of nice third-party backup choices for Windows.
Why you need to belief us: It’s in our title: PCWorld. Our reviewers have been testing PC {hardware}, software program, and companies for many years. Our backup evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the guarantees and limitations of each product — from efficiency to the practicalities of standard use. As PC customers ourselves, we all know what makes a product stand out. Only the most effective backup software program makes this listing. For extra about our testing course of, scroll to the underside of this text.
PROMOTION
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R-Drive Image – Best Windows backup general
Pros
- File, partition, and drive imaging to widespread VHD format
- Full-fledged partition supervisor
- Disaster restoration
- Optional retro command-line and character-based restoration interface
Cons
- Needs to correctly vet vacation spot area
- Minor visible bugs and workflow peccadilloes
Price When Reviewed:
$44.95
Best Prices Today:
R-Drive Image continues to be a favourite for all backup and catastrophe restoration chores. This low-resource-consuming product is unparalleled in its reliability. Its skill to again up disks, partitions, folders, and recordsdata make it a one-stop store for knowledge preservation and restoration.
Now, in model 7.3, R-Drive Image goes even additional with expanded help for on-line storage — so along with with the ability to again as much as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and so on., Amazon S3/S3-compatible companies are additionally an choice. You may replicate photos throughout a number of locations, including redundancy that’s so vital to an excellent backup technique.
It’s arduous to consider something R-Drive Image is missing. But given its monitor document of steady enchancment to an already-good factor, I wouldn’t be shocked to see much more useful additions to the function set sooner or later.
Read our full
R-Drive Image review
Acronis True Image – Best Windows backup with malware safety
Pros
- Imaging, backup, and catastrophe restoration
- Actively protects towards viruses and ransomware
- Integrated cloud storage out there
Cons
- Heavy set up footprint
- Subscription solely
- Lots of telemetry
Price When Reviewed:
$49.99 to $124.99 per 12 months
Best Prices Today:
Acronis properly established itself as a trusty stalwart of backup software program a few years again with its famend Acronis True Image program. Since then, this system’s title has modified to Cyber Protect Home Office, and now again once more to True Image. But all through that, its popularity as a succesful, versatile, and rock-solidly dependable backup resolution continues. Indeed, it’s simply probably the most complete knowledge security bundle on the planet.
While True Image doesn’t supply the identical help for third-party cloud storage as R-Drive Image, it does permit you to again as much as native, networked, or its personal cloud storage (out there at choose tiers). Besides providing unparalleled backup performance that’s each sturdy and straightforward to navigate, it integrates safety apps as properly, which shield towards malware, malicious web sites, and different threats utilizing real-time monitoring.
As our reviewer mentioned, “If you’re looking for a comprehensive, set-it-and-forget-it data-safety solution, I know of nothing better, or comparable for that matter.”
Read our full
Acronis True Image review
Retrospect Solo – Best for added ransomware safety
Pros
- Easy to make use of (as soon as realized)
- Copious function set
- Good efficiency
- New anti-ransomware backup safety
Cons
- Somewhat steep studying curve
The newest model (18.5) of this stalwart Windows backup program is each bit as feature-packed as we’d anticipate. It even provides an attention-grabbing pre-backup file scanning to root out anomalies earlier than overwriting your earlier backup—a nod to the emergence of ransomware as a priority. It’s obtained a little bit of a studying curve, however as soon as acquainted, Retrospect Solo delivers the products.
Read our full
Retrospect Solo review
Easeus ToDo Backup – Best free Windows backup
Pros
- Imaging, file backup, sync, and catastrophe restoration
- Super-friendly interface
- Disaster restoration media even with the free model
- 1TB of on-line storage for $40
Cons
- Paid model is a bit on the expensive aspect
- Telemetry
- Doesn’t help third-party cloud storage natively
- A few minor non-fatal errors
Price When Reviewed:
Yearly: $39.99 I Perpetual: $59.99 I Lifetime Upgrades: $79.99
We examined and have been fairly impressed with the paid model of Easeus ToDo Backup 2025. It options the whole lot we wish to see in a backup program: drive and partition imaging, file and folder backup, one-way and two-way sync, a WinPE restoration disc that includes a full model of this system for restoring recordsdata and even making new backups, and multi-path backup so it can save you to and from an area system, a community, or the cloud. As for the Easeus cloud, the price of $40 per 1TB ($24 for college students) may be very aggressive.
While the paid model of this system, goes even additional by including issues like disk and partition cloning and app knowledge backup and restoration, the whole lot talked about within the paragraph above is obtainable within the Easeus ToDo Backup Free, making it an unbelievable worth. That’s very true given the sleek workflow, speedy efficiency, and an interface that our reviewer described as “a joy.”
Read our full
Easeus ToDo Backup 2025 review
Windows File History backup – Best free Windows backup runner-up
Pros
- Excellent steady knowledge safety with versioning
- Easy, timeline searching of backed-up recordsdata
- Integrated into Windows
- Backs up user-created libraries
Cons
- Easy “Add folder” perform faraway from Windows 11
Price When Reviewed:
Free with Windows
Among the free applications we examined, Windows File History backup is among the best steady knowledge safety software program for Windows. It’s unlucky that the most recent model eliminated the “add folder” perform from File History, however in any other case it continues to enhance upon an already stable backup program. Also, it offers lots of the options and features of different third-party paid backup applications, all totally free. And you’ll be able to’t argue with free. It would’ve taken the highest spot totally free choices if not for the truth that FBackup gives extra versatility when it comes to the place you’ll be able to again up your knowledge, similar to cloud storage.
Read our full
Windows File History backup review
Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX – Best Windows backup for SMBs
Pros
- Fast and dependable steady knowledge safety
- Super straightforward restores to actual or digital arduous drives
- Handy timeline overview
- Excellent catastrophe restoration
Cons
- Slightly daunting login dialog
- Image-based backup solely
- Pricey for finish customers
Price When Reviewed:
$99.95
If you might be searching for one thing extra sturdy than simply file and folder backup for your enterprise, then Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX has you lined. It comes loaded with a full feature-set that lets you rapidly and simply restore your knowledge and it has help for third-party digital arduous drives. It can also be a superb alternative not only for Windows customers, but in addition Linux customers or these in blended Windows/Linux environments. ShadowProtect is a bit expensive, however it’s a particularly dependable backup software program with foolproof steady knowledge safety.
Read our full
Arcserve ShadowProtect SPX Desktop review
Other Windows backup software program evaluations
- Iperius Backup: There’s energy aplenty on this backup program, however the studying curve and interface may sometimes flummox less-experienced customers.
- Handy Backup 8.5 Professional: This backup program with top-notch options may’ve garnered an Editors’ Choice award had it been fully glitch-free and a bit simpler to study.
- MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro 4.6: There’s lots to love about this backup program, notably its distinctive skill to interface with all computer systems on a community. Its free model can also be worthwhile.
- BackUp Maker Pro: It’s a bit expensive for its style, however Ascomp’s BackUp Maker Professional has myriad superior and automation options.
- DriveImage XML: This venerable program is a viable free backup resolution, albeit just for MBR disks.
- Ashampoo Backup Pro 26: Overarching help for myriad backup chores with easy-to-understand wizards, however no backup from the restoration disc or choice for “differential” backups.
- Zinstall FullBack: This software program is exclusive amongst backup applications by providing full migration of backed up knowledge and apps to a brand new OS set up — for a comparatively steep value.
- Macrium Reflect Home: If not for its increased value, Macrium might make our favourite backup software program, R-Drive Image, nervous about its prime standing. Seriously, Macrium has an distinctive program that gives all of the options we wish from backup software program — full drive/folder backup, ease of use, reliability, and so on.
- Wondershare UBackit: A easy, easy-to-use backup program that’s marred considerably by its lack of a perpetual license and boot disc catastrophe restoration.
- Aomei Backupper Pro: Like our two prime picks above, Aomei now integrates cloud storage with its native backup choices, making it a whole backup resolution able to preserving your essential knowledge each regionally and remotely, as any good backup technique ought to do.
- NTI Backup Pro 7: NTI gives the total array of backup features, similar to file/folder, picture, steady, and cloud backup, making it a really tempting choice, if not for the expensive cloud storage and a few annoying glitches.
How we take a look at
We run every program by means of the varied forms of backups it’s able to. This is essentially to check reliability and {hardware} compatibility, however we time two: an roughly 115GB system picture (two partitions), and a roughly 50GB picture created from a set of smaller recordsdata and folders. We then mount the pictures and take a look at their integrity by way of this system’s restore features. We additionally take a look at the USB boot drives created by the applications.
How to select a backup software program
As with most issues—don’t over-buy. Features you don’t want add complexity and will decelerate your system. Additionally, in the event you intend to again as much as a newly bought exterior arduous drive, try the software program that ships with it. Seagate, WD, and others present backup utilities which are ample for the typical person.
File backup: If you wish to again up solely your knowledge (working techniques and applications may be reinstalled, although it’s mildly time- and effort-consuming), a program that backs up simply the recordsdata you choose is a serious time-saver. Some applications robotically choose the suitable recordsdata in the event you use the Windows library folders (Documents, Photos, Videos, and so on.).
Image backup/imaging: Images are byte-for-byte snapshots of your whole arduous drive (usually with out the empty sectors) or partition, and can be utilized to revive each the working system and knowledge. Imaging is probably the most handy to revive in case of a system crash, and in addition ensures you don’t miss something essential.
Boot media: Should your system crash utterly, you want an alternate solution to boot and run the restoration software program. Any backup program ought to be capable of create a bootable optical disc or USB thumb drive. Some may also create a restore partition in your arduous drive, which can be utilized as a substitute if the arduous drive remains to be operational.
Scheduling: If you’re going to again up successfully, it’s good to do it frequently. Any backup program value its salt lets you schedule backups.
Versioning: If you’re overwriting earlier recordsdata, that’s not backup, it’s one-way syncing or mirroring. Any backup program you utilize ought to permit you to retain a number of earlier backups, or with file backup, earlier variations of the file. The higher software program will retain and cull older backups in keeping with standards you identify.
Optical help: Every backup program helps arduous drives, however as out of date as they could appear, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs are nice archive media. If you’re anxious about optical media’s reliability, M-Disc claims its discs are dependable for a thousand years, claims which are backed up by Department of Defense testing.
Online help: An offsite copy of your knowledge is a hedge towards bodily disasters similar to flood, fireplace, and energy surges. Online storage companies are an effective way to take care of an offsite copy of your knowledge. Backup to Dropbox and the like is a pleasant function to have.
FTP and SMB/AFP: Backing as much as different computer systems or NAS bins in your community or in distant areas (say, your mother or father’s home) is one other method of bodily safeguarding your knowledge with an offsite, or not less than bodily discrete copy. FTP can be utilized for offsite, whereas SMB (Windows and most OS’s) and AFP (Apple) are good for different PCs or NAS in your native community.
Real time: Real-time backup implies that recordsdata are backed up each time they alter, normally upon creation or save. It’s additionally known as mirroring and is helpful for retaining an instantly out there copy of quickly altering knowledge units. For much less risky knowledge units, the payoff doesn’t compensate for the drain on system assets. Instead, scheduling must be used.
Continuous backup: In this case, ‘continuous’ merely means backing up on a decent schedule, usually each 5 to 15 minutes, as a substitute of on daily basis or weekly. Use steady backup for quickly altering knowledge units the place switch charges are too gradual, or computing energy is just too treasured for real-time backup.
Performance: Most backups proceed within the background or throughout useless time, so efficiency isn’t an enormous problem within the client area. However, in the event you’re backing up a number of machines or to a number of locations, or coping with very giant knowledge units, velocity is a consideration.
Further studying: Check out PCWorld’s roundup of best external drives for suggestions on dependable storage choices — an essential element in a complete backup technique.
FAQ
How typically ought to backups be scheduled?
Ideally, you need to schedule backups of your knowledge as typically as attainable. This is very true if you’re engaged on an essential mission or have knowledge that you just completely can not afford to lose. It is a good suggestion to automate the backup course of and have the Windows software program again up your knowledge each hour or so.
What is the distinction between Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Windows backup companies?
Services similar to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are thought-about to be cloud storage companies. This implies that a person should place their recordsdata or knowledge onto the service’s cloud manually. It’s nearly like having a bodily storage drive within the web’s digital cloud.
Windows backup software program, in the meantime, offers steady versioning and backup of all of the file historical past in your system. It will repeatedly and robotically backup each specified file on a tool. Windows backup software program additionally gives extra knowledge safety measures similar to file encryption. Furthermore, these backup companies permit you to create a bootable optical disc or USB thumb drive for restoration after a system crash.
There are cloud backup companies (distinct from these talked about above) that provide many, although not all, of the advantages of a Windows backup program, similar to steady backups and versioning for a number of gadgets. You can study extra about them in our roundup of best cloud backup services.
Can I again up recordsdata to and from my cloud storage?
Until lately, backup software program was restricted to creating native backups — i.e., to a different drive, exterior or inner, related to your system. A person must flip to a third-party resolution, similar to a cloud storage manager with the intention to combine their cloud storage into File Explorer thereby making it accessible to the backup software program.
But the state of affairs is altering, and now many backup applications are recognizing the significance of integrating cloud storage into their backup and sync features. Indeed, our favourite backup program, R-Drive Image, lately added help for all the favored cloud storage companies, cementing its place on the prime of our listing.
Will Windows backup software program decelerate my pc?
In most conditions Windows backup software program gained’t noticeably decelerate your pc. If you might be backing as much as multiple system or a number of completely different locations, or if you’re backing up very giant knowledge units, then chances are you’ll discover your system decelerate because it performs the backup. Otherwise, Windows backup software program sometimes runs within the background or throughout useless time so that you shouldn’t discover a lower in efficiency.
Also, it’s a good suggestion, if the choice is obtainable together with your software program, to run a steady backup. This will trigger the software program to carry out backups of solely the recordsdata you alter in actual time and it requires much less bandwidth and processor assets to take care of.
Does Windows Backup save the whole lot?
Yes, by default Windows Backup and Restore saves all knowledge recordsdata together with these in your library, in your desktop, and in Windows’ default folders. It may also create a system picture if it’s good to restore Windows within the case of an emergency or system failure.
A system picture is an effective way to save lots of all the info in your system together with put in functions. But watch out as this technique picture can doubtlessly take up a whole lot of gigabytes of storage in your pc’s arduous drive.