The need for a backup solution cannot be stated enough, because of the risk of losing all your files, photos, music, and other important documents to an accident or computer crash. 

There are many different options available for backing up. This might include copying files and folders to a rewritable CD or DVD, USB drive, or external hard drive, or even using a cloud-hosted solution so you can access and sync your files and folders between different devices. 

While it's great if you're using even one method, it's even more ideal if you're using multiple backup methods to provide a real and practical degree of redundancy. However, doing so might make it more difficult to manage your backups. 

This is where backup software really comes into play, as it allows you to more easily manage and automate backing up tasks, allowing you to just let everything run and save in the background while you're working.

There are a number of paid-for backup software solutions available, but even better is that there are also free versions available so you can discover for yourself which software fits best for you.

Cobian Backup

Cobian Backup is the most advanced free backup tool around and might be overkill for new users, but if you know exactly how you want to configure your backups then you can be confident it'll give you the flexibility you need. Cobian Backup can be used to create and schedule multiple backup jobs, and files can be archived to another local hard drive, network location or if you have access to one, an FTP server. It can back up to multiple locations at the same time, so it's possible to run multiple backup jobs simultaneously. Backups can be compressed files to save space, and there's optional encryption to keep your data secure.

FBackup

FBackup FBackup is a backup solution that easy scheduling and simple modes. Even though it hasn’t many features, like other backup tools from this list, it is a pretty capable backup utility. 

Here are the most important FBackup features: 

• Exact copies of files using “mirror backup” 

• Protection against ransomware • Easy to use interface with helpful wizards 

• Run actions before/after backup 

• Multiple backup destinations, including external drives, CDs/DVDs, online. 

• Backups in the cloud directly to Google Drive or Dropbox 

• Backup plugins 

• Backup open files

• Backup and restore wizards

• Backup catalog file

You’ll be able to back up your files in no time with the help of the Where/What/How/When backup wizard that will make things way easier, so it’s perfect for beginners.

StorageCraft ShadowProtect 5

StorageCraft ShadowProtect 5 Desktop is one of the best backup software out there due to its speed, reliability and full protection. All this tool’s functions are centered on creating and using disk-images files that contain a complete snapshot of a partition from your disk. StorageCraft ShadowProtect 5 Desktop is one of the best backup software out there due to its speed, reliability and full protection. All this tool’s functions are centered on creating and using disk-images files that contain a complete snapshot of a partition from your disk.

Google Backup and Sync

 

Google Backup and Sync isn't a traditional backup tool by any means, it is a cloud-based storage and just what you are able to back up will depend on how much online Google storage you have available. You're given a limited amount of space for free, and there are various ways to boost it without having to part with any money, but in reality, google Backup and Sync is going to be useful for backing up individual directories – not your whole system.