Windows Backup and Restore Tools: A Comparative Review

Assignment 6: Windows Backup and Restore Tools Zachary Cooper Harding Operating Systems: ISSC242 Doctor Adam Rutherford May 14, 2023

2 Assignment 6 When a system or network fails, whether that be through error or an attack, having the ability to backup and restore the network, system, or information, can be critical. This ability to backup and restore can help save time and money. Gartner Glossary defines software for backup and restore as a product that provides the ability to backup devices to recover the date when needed. Tools are available that provide this backup and restore capability. A reason for using a tool, or third-party software, is the capability to store mass amounts of information and date offsite from the customer’s systems and network. This offsite capability creates distance from the system that may be attacked or damage, allowing for the stored information to be unharmed. This information is often stored in a cloud. PC World magazine, in March 2023, provided their list of the best backup and restore software. The top three on PC World’s list, respectively, are R- Drive Image 7, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, and Retrospect Solo (Jacobi, 2023). The three tools provide similar capabilities with some minor differences. Some of the differences rely more on ease of use and some may be amongst. For example, earlier versions of R-Drive had an older, more clunky GUI. This has changed with recent versions, but R-Drive now does not multiple destinations per job. This means that each backup is stored in one location, limiting multiple backups and fail safes. Acronis has a larger installation footprint and does not allow for the selection of modules. Retrospect has a steep learning curve and is not a “one-click solution” like many other software of its class. Acronis is the only tool, of the three, that has cloud storage included. The other three rely other capability such as a virtual hard drive. Retrospect has the capability of anti-virus added to any backup data. R-Drive has the capability of partitioning backup information, allowing for separation of backed up data.

3 Assignment 6 The price differences are negligible. Base prices, providing the least amount of support, begin are 49.99 for both Acronis and Retrospect. R-Drive is listed at only 5 dollars less. Each service has higher pricing options that provide more capability, mainly in the form of more storage space in the backup. A plethora of tools exist, many with similar features, and the decision on which to choose often comes down to the needs of the user.

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4 Assignment 6 References Acronis. https://www.acronis.com/en-us/products/true-image/ Gartner Glossary. Accessed 13 May 2023. Backup/recovery software. https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/backup-and-recovery- software#:~:text=Backup%2Frecovery%20software%20products%20are,recover%20that %20data%20when%20needed. Jacobi, J. (2023). PC Magazine. Best Windows backup software 2023: Don’t risk it! https://www.pcworld.com/article/407021/best-windows-backup-software.html R-Drive Image. https://www.drive-image.com/ Retrospect Backup. https://www.retrospect.com/en/store/buy? platform=win&__c=1#solo&xcust=2-1- 407021-6-614355-14325&sref=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407021/best-windows- backup-software.html

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