There are over 600 backup software listings on Download.com, all having lots of characteristics and abilities. How to choose one to meet all your needs without overwhelming you with features and options? – This article will help you make the right choice.

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1. Main types of backup tools: Image-based or File-based to choose?


Image backup software makes backup of the entire hard drive, including operating system, system registry, all programs, saved work and program settings. You can restore your system exactly to its state at the moment you have imaged the disk or partition. But you cannot recover single files.

File backup software is designed for backing up selected files stored on hard drive. You can recover selected files without need to restore all.

Both types have strengths and weaknesses that should be taken into account:

Image Backup Software File Backup Software
Time and frequency Image backup usually takes comparatively more time. That’s why you won’t be able to backup your data very often. (-) Fast and small backups. You can quickly backup the most important files without wasting time on others. (+)
Completeness Image backup guarantees that ALL the files and settings have been backed up. (+) With file backups there’s always a chance to forget an important file. (-)
System restore You can easily restore system state to the moment of the last backup without need to reinstall your operational system. (+) Global system restore is not possible. In case of global system crash, file backups may be insufficient to restore your system to working condition. (-)
Reinstalls “Image” has a copy of everything, so you don’t have to reinstall any applications. (+) Registry and applications settings are not saved, so you may need to reinstall applications and reconfigure system settings. (-)
Backups portability An imaged system may not work on other hardware configuration. (-) You can restore your data on a new computer, regardless of its hardware configuration. (+)

Summary: the choice depends on your individual needs and the degree of reliability you wish to achieve. Basically, to be protected from global system crashes and avoid reinstalls, purchase image backup tool; if you work with some frequently changing valuable files and wish to make sure you never lose them, choose file backup software.

You can also have all the strengths and avoid weaknesses if you use both types. Combination of daily file backup for some frequently changing data and monthly image-based backup to prevent serious system disasters will provide complete security of your data.