Publisher's Description
From Paragon Software Group:
Paragon Backup & Recovery 2012 Free - a disaster recovery tool for stand-alone Windows-based PCs. Combining all the existing backup techniques and exclusive recovery environments, this latest edition satisfies the needs of even the most demanding user and is simply the most powerful free backup tool available today. Paragon Backup & Recovery 2012 Free allows you to take complete control of your PC's safety. Based on solid commercial backup and recovery software from Paragon, it has a rich set of features that you can trust. Simple to install and easy to use.
What's new in this version: Version 2012 updated user interface and program engine.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 201 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 19 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"It used to be great"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
It's free.
Cons
It used to be great. I used it for two years, but with this new edition, the user interface has been changed and some of the functionality seems to be gone. I'm sure it's all still there but it couldn't look into my C drive and tell me what I was backing up. My C drive showed up as being formatted NTFS but I couldn't look at its content, so I decided to not backup and instead I went ahead and bought another paid product that's much more reliable. I've already created an image backup with the other product and had no problems whatsoever.
Summary
I'm sure it works, but I didn't want to risk it. In the past I used to use this product and all of my backups were completed without a glitch (except for one in which I had to fix registry problems), so I imagine it still works fine. I simply have too much invested in my PC to risk not having a reliable backup. Give it a shot and perform a backup. That's the only way you'll really know if this software is for you.
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"Thanks Paragon for this useful tool!"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Works excellent.
Cons
A bit out-of date design.
Summary
The interface is a bit out-of date, I mean it's design, but still, everything is intuitively understandable. In my opinion it doesn't matter, because the program must work correctly first of all, and only then should have modern design. Concerning its functional: I've successfully burnt a recovery CD. Then I've clicked "Backup", selected necessary directories and started the backup. First I was a bit confused, when the program showed me estimated time about an hour (for 40 GB), but in several minutes it started decreasing and finished at about 10 minutes, so the program works rather fast, that's good!=) Then I decided to restore my data, clicked "Restore" button, selected the data to restore and started the operation. Everything restored absolutely correct, I had no troubles to boot my system, thanks Paragon for this useful tool of really high quality!=)
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"Beautiful interface, but software doesn't work."
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
I love the user interface.
Cons
I can't make this software work.
Summary
I decided that I better test this software before the 30-day trial ends. Here's what I did:
(1) I clicked on the "Tools" button.
(2) I selected "Burn Recovery Media" and created a bootable CD.
(3) I clicked on the "Smart Backup" button.
(4) I selected the "Other Files and Folders" option.
(5) I selected my boot drive (C:) and unchecked two folders containing only user files.
(6) I specified that the archive should be stored on a secondary drive (H:).
(7) I powered off the computer and disconnected the boot drive.
(8) I booted on the CD that was created in step (2).
(9) I selected the option to do a restore and navigated to the secondary drive.
(10) At this point, the restore program was looking for files with the ".pbf" extension, but there were no files with that extension. There were files with the extensions ".pfi" and ".pfp", so I tried to force the restore tool to open those files, but in every case I got the error message "Invalid archive tool".
At this point, I've concluded that this software does not work. -
"I was skeptical at first; but this works!"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
It's not the fastest kid on the block, but its power is in its thorough job of doing what it's supposed to do. I have W7 Home Premium and couldn't do a certain XP program. So I did a backup of my install and then put XP on the computer. Did what I had to do with it and then recovered my W7 install-- Bam! Perfect.
Cons
Takes quite some time for a 50GB backup (total hdd size:500GB). None other than that. I have the paid version.
Summary
Just make sure you set your computer to boot from CD/DVD tray.
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"Excellent and reliable backup program, but be warned."
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Excellent and Reliable in Windows environment.
Cons
From my recent experience, if your Windows install is screwed, and you cannot boot into windows, you would have to use a Paragon recovery boot disk (created earlier) from DOS environment. If you backed up your install onto an external NTFS hard drive, the hard drive does not show, so you have to make a clean Windows install, and perform recovery from there. I might have missed something, but I've tried every option I could find, and could not make it work any other way.
Summary
Great program, probably the best one out there as far as I'm concerned. Some minor setbacks in some cases, but those can be dealt with.
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"Dependable software gives you confidence when using it"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Does what you expect it to to
Good price!Cons
None discovered
Summary
I use to recover my system after using Easeus partitioning software messed it up. Then I was so impressed, I bought the Paragon Partition Manager 11 which, unlike Easeus, works perfectly.
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"Limited backup options"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Seems quick and efficient.
Cons
Does not let you choose specific folders/files to back up.
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"It worked -- this time."
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Appears to be seamless and smooth. Does the job without much hassle or tekkie stuff.
Cons
Will have to explore other features more carefully in the future.
Summary
I was not impressed with the "original" program. 3/4 of the time it didn't work. . . just watched the gears whirl around.
This time the"advanced" program worked without a hitch. -
"One of the best if not THE best free anti virus Program"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
Does its job very well, so far has not missed a threat.
Cons
Down-load takes far too long for those on a slow internet connection, there needs to have something done to speed up the time it takes to download
Summary
would not hesitate to recommend this program to anyone, regardless of their budget, it is great value, even better because it is FREE !!!!!
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"It is Free"
Version: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free 2012
Pros
It costs nothing, which is better than a trial really
Cons
Limited, explanations before downloading are also quite limited
Summary
Does what it says on the tin really,
For those who think you have to buy it.
On your Registration Dialogue box, click the link to paragons Website. It takes you to a registration form, within 15 minutes you have a serial number and validation number.
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