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Ascomp's BackUp Maker is a free data backup solution for Windows. It automatically backs up your files and folders on schedule or when something changes, and it can create new backups or add changes to existing backups. It doesn't create system images, so it can't restore your entire system, though Windows Backup already does that. What it's best for is backing up critical files and folders on a daily basis. BackUp Maker Standard Edition is fully functional freeware that displays a nag screen at startup and when backups complete.
BackUp Maker's user interface shows prominent Backup and Restore buttons above a compact list view for displaying available backups. The program offers two modes, a wizard-based beginner's mode and an expert mode with more control; basically, the expert mode uses 12 steps for what the beginner mode does in five. Both begin with Step 1, Data Selection, with two options: Simple selection, which groups data by Libraries, Bookmarks, and Email, and Files & Folders, which let us directly select items to back up from a tree view and program list. BackUp Maker also offers Filter Options for excluding files, including by size; Automation, for triggering backups after intervals, on system events such as log-on, and by day and month; Execution guarantee, which lets you tell the program how to catch up on skipped or missed backups; Backup type, for specifying full or differential backups; and other settings such as Security and Procedures. BackUp Maker can save backups to a variety of destinations, including CD/DVD burners, FTP clients, and IntelliVault accounts. We chose the separate hard drive we use for system backups, selected our backup type and other settings, named our backup, and saved the backup definition. When we were ready, we selected our backup in the list view and pressed Execute. BackUp Maker quickly created our backup, and just as quickly (and automatically) restored our files when we ran the Restore tool.
We still recommend regularly creating full system image backups using Windows Backup or a similar program. BackUp Maker's best use is protecting critical data from loss or damage with robust, regular backups.
Publisher's Description
From ASCOMP:
BackUp Maker is the professional solution for creation of data-backups. The ease of use as well as the range of functions enables you to create backup tasks for saving files and folders with a lack of time. Once the backup task has been configured you may forget backup creation. BackUp Maker saves your files fully automated, depending on time and interval settings or on system events like Windows log-on or log-off. Reduce data capacity by using partial backups or limit data with the power of wide-ranging filter options. An integrated CD or DVD driver enables you to write backups directly to CD or DVD. Additionally BackUp Maker supports writing to internal and external hard drives (local and network area), any USB devices as well as zip drives. Alternatively you can use the software's FTP support to upload your backup to a web server, optionally with secure SSL connection (FTPS).
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 15 votes
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Current version:
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"a lot for free"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.403
Pros
Very customizable features built intelligently as I wanted
Cons
None so far
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"At least one of the best backup tools"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.3
Pros
Easy to use
Lots of functions and options
Good compression with zipCons
File and folder backup only
Summary
A few days ago I tested Synchredible (other Ascomp tool) and I liked it very much, so I decided to test the backup tool, too. And I am surprised as it is a smart piece of software: it is very easy to use and it creates backups with zip compression.
Unfortunately, it cannot create a system image, but in my case that's no problem since Windows 7 already owns an image function.
Currently I am thinking about buying a full version of both programs, but first I will contact the author and try to get a discount, too! ;) -
"Best free backup program I've ever used"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.3
Pros
Simple to set up and use
Easy to set up
Incremental, Differential and Full Backup
Zip format (not proprietart)
Choosable Zip levels
Encryption
Pre and post backup actions
Copy backup jobs
Wizard for novice users
Backup to disk, optical, flash
Inclusion and exclusion filters
Good scheduling choicesCons
Free version doesn't back up open files
Only backs up files and directories so you need to know where your program data files (e.g. mail data) live.
Doesn't do mirroring (backup with no zip) but see below how to do this.
Doesn't back up the registry (but see below how to do this)Summary
I wanted all the above pros. I wanted automatic conversion of Incrementals and Differentials to Full. I wanted to keep only certain numbers of each type of backup. I couldn't believe that this program did everything I _*needed* and it was free.
I have now had time to use this a bit more. It still is a very good program. However it bugs the heck out of me with pop-up nag screens about buying the licenced version. OK so I thought I would. It costs about $33 for a 3 licence private version. Now I want mirroring on top of that through Synchredible, also at $33 plus backing up open files at $20 each. The total comes to $106. Frankly that's jusr not competitive when I can get Backup4All for $49. Backup4All is not so easy to use but is more powerful.
I used to use Cobian backup but it was quirky and unreliable. I tried various paid backup programs (Acronis, NovaBackup, Paragon) but they were really hard to use compared to this and very expensive.
As far as open file backup is concerned, yes, if I need it, I'll pay the modest amount for it.
To back up the registry, create a DOS batch file that gets Regedit to export the keys you want into a file. Run this as a pre backup task. Set the output file to be backed up.
To do mirroring, use ASCOMP's free Synchredible program.
Forget the criticisms of the limitations of old versions - this was for version 6.304 and it has been greatly improved - no file limits for example and I haven't seen any nag screens. I haven't tried to uninstall it.
Updated on Feb 1, 2012
Sorry ASCOM but you've a great couple of programs that are ideal for the home user, but you shouldn't be charging company prices.
Updated on Feb 2, 2012I bought Backup Maker, Synchredible and the open file addons because I contacted the company, who were very willing to listen to my comments.
Let's hope they review their policy for home users because these products are ideal. Check out their other offerings on their German pages. If they offered these in English and had bundle discounting they would satisfy the need of most users. Write to them and encourage them :-) -
"Great backup software for free"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.209
Pros
Free for personal use.
Easy to understand.
Nice functionality and design.Cons
Not free for use in businesses.
Summary
Nice interface, understood it in seconds. Lots of functions and free for personal use, I like!
@huddie1971: Seems to be your standard review for backup software, right? Same written for EASUS ToDo Backup. Interesting thing! ;-) -
"Worthless garbage"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.209
Pros
None. None.
Cons
Doesn't uninstall properly. Fails to back up saying, it's run out of space when it hasn't. Doesn't run as a service. Doesn't use shadow copy. Requires manual configuration of what should be obvious defaults.
Summary
Dreadful enough for me to suspect it's possibly malware. Absolute garbage. Avoid at all costs.
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"Its not user friendly. There's no real user guide"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.103
Pros
It seems to work. It does provide a log
Cons
there's absolutly no difference between the free version and the paid version except for the fact that the nagging splash screen is removed. the log file is much too informative. It tells you every file you backed up. I just want a clean backup log.
Summary
As soon as I find something else, I'm removing it. I would actually pay for it if it was more intuitive. I also dont like the idea that it uses "zip" technology
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"Pain in the neck"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.103
Pros
At backing up, it does a good job.
Cons
It has two flaws. First, it is not free for personal use. It is nagware and extracts a daily piece of you for not upgrading. Second, I found it confusing. I never quite knew whether it was running or not. Its options are not clear.
Summary
I will probably get rid of it.
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"Nag Screen & Added Costs"
Version: BackUp Maker 6.0
Pros
Creates standard zip files, backup and restore wizard, two backup wizard modes: expert and non-expert, backs up empty folders, back up to local drives, CD, FTP, and more
Cons
Hate the nag screen, added cost to allow for access to exclusively opened files (volume shadow copy service), help is in German
Summary
Has many good points but there are other backup apps that also have good points but do not have the cons listed above...
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"Does have limitations"
Version: BackUp Maker 5.1
Pros
Even though the description says that it has no limitations, once you launch you can only backup 1MB to a CD
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"Crippleware"
Version: BackUp Maker 5.1
Pros
Great user interface. Backup tools are usually too simple or too powerful (e.g. Retrospect). This is great middle ground that can do spanning, partial, encrypted etc.
Cons
The product says it's crippled to only back up 1MB in the free edition, though it seemed to happily back up 17MB for me. Watch this space...
