[RESOLVED] Backing up changed files to a USB drive

[broadley]

I learned the hard way that backing up is vital to a stress free life. I now backup my PC in an image file to an external HDD using Acronis True Image 10, which is great. I also backup My Docs to DVD RWs which I keep offsite in case of fire or burglary. This may be a belt and braces (or suspenders if you're from U.S.) but I've been caught with my pants down too often.

In spite of this I still have a nagging doubt! Some days I edit some files fairly extensively between major backups. I'd like to backup these files as effortlessly as possible to a USB drive between the major backups.

I've looked at Windows Backup but can't see if I can set it to backup only files changed since the last backup. I'd appreciate some advice on this. Is it possible, and if so, how?

What I'd like to be able to do is to just insert the USB drive, click a button and have any changed files automatically backed up to the USB drive without me having to decide which files they are by looking at dates/times etc. In the old DOS days this was fairly easy (with X Copy I think it was), but time has marched on and left me far behind!

Any pearls of wisdom will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[SpywareDr]

SyncToy, a free synchronization powertoy from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...o/synctoy.mspx

[HAN]

If SyncToy doesn't workout, here are a couple other options...

SyncBack is available in both a freeware and paid version. The freeware version is surprisingly full featured.
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/compare.html

I use the paid GoodSync Pro 6. It's the best sync program I have ever used. Extremely well thought out and excellent support. (There is a free version but it is limited in the number of files it can backup after 30 days.)
http://www.goodsync.com/index.html

[broadley]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think SyncToy will help me as I don't want to synchronise any files. I'm wondering if a simple .bat file will do it for me, which I could run immediately before closing down my PC. All I would want it to do is to search for any Word and Excel files that have been changed in that day and copy them to my USB drive, overwriting any files with the same names.
I could do this manually but the problem is remembering which files you've edited in that day. Then when I do a major backup all I do is delete any files on the USB drive and start again. Would there be any problems in this system? If you think it would work I'd appreciate some help with the .bat file.
Thanks

[HAN]

I can't speak for SyncToy as I haven't used it but both SyncBack and GoodSync support one-way syncing. Which is exactly what you are outlining... ie., only backing up changed/new files. And IMO, using these programs would be MUCH easier than trying to work up a batch file (especially if you want to tweak it over time by making some parameter changes here and there.)

[SpywareDr]

Read through this white paper overview of SyncToy and I think you'll agree that it has the ability to do what you're after.

Synchronizing Images and Files in Windows Vista and XP Using Microsoft SyncToy (.pdf)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

[broadley]

A closer read of the SyncToy white paper seems to suggest that it will do what I want. I'll give it a try. Thanks for your help.

[HAN]

broadley: FWIW, I took a look at SyncToy. Looks nice. Resembles GoodSync's "smart" approach but less sophisticated. But hey, SyncToy is free and GoodSync is not! (Note, SyncToy requires .NET Framework 2.0 and it will also download and install Microsoft's SQL Server Compact Edition as part of the overall installation (if you don't already have the SQL Server.)) Oh, one other suggestion. I would recommend the SyncToy 2.0 beta, not the older 1.4 version. Many worthwhile changes...

[SpywareDr]

A closer read of the SyncToy white paper seems to suggest that it will do what I want. I'll give it a try. Thanks for your help.

No problem.