Hi. I have Deja Dup, Timeshift, PicaBackup and Lucky Backup installed.
You can tell Timeshift to backup your data as well as system files but not recommended because if you alter an existing file you are working on today, or downloaded a file today, restoring to an earlier time will not have the new data/files. I am not aware of any application that can differentiate system from data, only Acronis True Image can do that and that is for Windows only. My advice is that once you have all that you need in respect of applications, make an image of your drive using Rescuezilla, use Timeshift to take snapshots of your system in case of any hiccups you might face in the future, and manually backup your /home folder (remember to include hidden files) to an external HDD.
In Windows, my main backup programme is Macrium Reflect, but I also use Ashampoo Backerupper and EaseUS Backup. All make full, then incremental images of the whole system, and all can restore the whole system or individual files.
I am aware of the other Windows tools but I only ever used Acronis True Image in respect of Windows backups. What I find ironic is Acronis uses GNU/Linux as I once edites the registry and found a Cygwin key associated with it.
I used to use it for many years, till it changed to a yearly subscription
I don't know when that was. I purchased a one-off licence back in 2018 for youngest's Asus Notebook used for Uni which had Windows 10 Home on it. I am really surprised at Asus considering what they charged for the Notebook not having Pro on it.
Not long after that - 2021 - just looked it up.
The experts on the Windows 10 and 11 forums all plump for Macrium Reflect, which, unfortunately, also went subscription-only about a year ago
Interesting. I have noticed Hiren's Boot CD (actually a DVD in size) has several of the Windows backup softwares that were the free versions.
Ugg!
I've noticed that everything has moved to a subscription service, once net neutrality was removed from internet regulation. Kids today are growing up in a world where subscription services are considered normal. I remember when you paid for something, you owned it.
I don't trust backup apps. I prefer doing it manually.
Slightly off-topic, that is why I like SoftMaker Office and PDF Studio Pro, you can buy the product, not rent it. Whilst SoftMaker does do rental products, you do still have a choice, for now.
I do my Windows ones manually, but am trying out automatic on Zorion to see how the different backup programmes behave
Still works in politics
This is not a political forum, please keep political topics off the forum, especially since this thread doesn't discuss politics, were talking about backups, and how to setup drives for doing so. Thank you.
It was kind of funny though. But I do agree no politics! I always get uncomfortable when people get heated. I'm not really sure how to respond.
Technically with Windows (and Mac) software I suspect you own a licence, just like the OS, which means you never own it, you are just 'allowed' to use it. That is the fundamental difference between GNU/Linux and BSD. You actually own the product to do with as you please. (I am not including Zorin Pro in this statement, just Core).
