best free Win8.1 backup program?

[SkaarjMaster]

As you are aware by now, I have a new Asus Win8.1 laptop and now that I pretty much have all my programs installed and configured (no games yet, but soon), I would like to find out which backup program to use. Right now I just installed DriveImage XML and backed up my C: drive. It seemed to take longer than normal without compression, but it's lightweight and basic just how I like it. Apparently, Acronic True Image is the best, but it's not free. Eventually, I want to either get another HD installed inside or an external drive to use as a backup. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.

 

[leilei]

Then buy Acronis True Image?


I wouldn't trust most professional looking "free" backup programs out there BTW. Like 'spyware fixers' that's an application genre which is rife with scumware, since it's a perfect concept - to 'back up' your files (to their 'cloud' that is market research and advertising)


Some swear by some Linux distros dedicated to backing up like Clonezilla though but at that point, it's beyond an application.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Yep, I'll probably end up buying True Image, but I'll roll with DriveImage for now and see how it goes. Besides, I need another drive (or possibly two) first, really.

 

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

http://www.code42.com/crashplan/

 

[Benfica]

Unless you have an SSD, use the Seagate or Western Digital editions of Acronis True Image.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

crashplan looks too fancy for me. I have no idea the brand of the HD but it's 750GB and....wait....WDC....must be Western Digital. OK, I'll get the WD version of True Image. Also, I just realized I did try True Image in the past. I noticed my work HD making weird noises about 4-5 years ago and DLed the free WD version and it helped me out changing out the HD for a new one.