Backup or sync software recommendation

[Ron Hunter]

I just purchased a 3TB external drive to backup my photo and video catalog, along with C drive stuff. I know Windows has a file backup feature, but I think it may have a limitation on the size of the drive it can work with (thought I saw that somewhere).

Anyway, what do you use to backup your files?

And what do you use to synchronize the files? For example, once you do the "full backup", you really should only need to do an incremental backup, yes?

[Peru]

I don't use a backup program for data, just for creating system images and cloning.

I have a dedicated internal backup drive in addition to my other drives. Every time I save a file, I also save it to the backup drive. When the backup drive is too full, I use the following procedure.

I keep three external drives:
one at home, one off site at my business, and an extra for rotation.

I copy the files on the drive I want to back up to the oldest external and bring it to my business and bring the one at my business to my home. I repeat the cycle occasionally, depending upon how much I need to back up.

I use the same procedure in reverse for my business files, but also keep on and off site copies on disc, as well.

[Dave McElderry]

I use Second Copy for a combination of local and FTP backup. I backup some files to my domain and Second Copy mixes in and handles the FTP very smoothly. But for local backups it offers a lot of user options to do your backups just the way you want them. Very flexible, but you do have to be familiar with some of the terminology.

[TreeTopsRanch]

You will note that everyone has a favorite backup program. Here's mine: SyncBack and the free version is just fine.

[George Tyndall]

SmartSyncPro for backing up of data.

All data on external HDDs.

Acronis for imaging my C drive, which contains only the OS and apps.