I need advice on backing up with Win 8.1 64-bit

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I’ve recently got a new PC with Win 8.1 64-bit OS and USB 3.0. I decided to get a portable external hard drive to use for backups. I wondered why none of them stated specifically that they were compatible with Win 8 and when I read the individual product reviews, I discovered that many people with the Win 8 OS who WERE having compatibility issues.

So, what I’m wondering, is HOW ARE Win 8.1 users backing up – what devices and methods are you using? (I’ve thought about cloud storage but I don’t really have enough valuable data to warrant it – also, it seems slow.)

Thanks

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My Seagate portable hard drive works fine with Acronis True Image in Windows 8.1.

Jerry

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There shouldn’t be any such thing as a compatibility issue with an external drive, unless you are using the drive’s own software.
A decent 3rd party imaging application and a drive with sufficient space is all you need.

Avoid drives that come bundled with “backup” software unless that is specifically what you want to use and it purports 8.1 compatibility.
Even drives that do come with their own software can be formatted in most, if not all instances.

I’m using a few WD 1TB passport drives for image and non image based backup and having no issue with them.
36433-22-236-576-Z01

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All the drives I use with Windows Vista and 7 work fine in Windows 8 / 8.1.

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I use the Windows Easy Transfer to create a backup file then save to the cloud copy.com

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Western Digital USB drives that come with Smartware are hardware encrypted by a bridge board. I would avoid those drives. Data recovery on one of those can be a nightmare.
Joe

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Good info from Langa:
https://www.google.com/search?q=langa+backup+strategies&oq=langa+backup+strategies&aqs=chrome..69i57.12767j0j8&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8#q=windows+secrets+langa+backup+

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I use Acronis True Image 2014 with an external WD My Passport. Found out the hard way that you can not clone a drive with the installed program! You have to use the boot CD or DVD. Destroyed my boot record on my OS drive.

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I create system images using Windows built in image creator and a Seagate usb 3.0 expansion drive. Works great.

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would some one explain where an how to do this on this dang win 8.1 laptop please?(Windows built in image creator) I have a WD external drive can hook up and use,read not good to keep hooked up all the time.
Dang miss my winxpdesktop.

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would some one explain where an how to do this on this dang win 8.1 laptop please?(Windows built in image creator)

Control Panel > System and Security > File History > System Image Backup: Windows 8.1 Tip: Use System Image Backup

Bruce

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I use a Seagate 3TB GoFlex Home NAS (Network Attached Storage). The NAS has its own software and options that are Linux based, but it can be readily targeted as a backup drive by Image For Windows from TeraByte Unlimited. It will work with any OS, all versions of Windows, Apple OS, Linux, etc. NAS is a good solution for backing up more than one computer (I have a desktop and two laptops). It should work with any good third party imaging product, and drive imaging is the only backup solution I (personally) recommend.

If you want to use an external HDD via USB or eSATA, I would advise against using the bundled software, and format the drive as a target for a good third party imaging product. Check the drives specs before you buy to make sure it can be formatted and used simply as an attached HDD.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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I have a new HP laptop now with win 8.1 and use Genie Timeline 2014. It silently watch’s for changes and backs up to built in backup. But then once a week I use it to back up to external D also because I don’t keep external drive hooked up all the time and also shut comp down at night. Works great.Got is with my Emsisoft software,which is great also.Still prefer my desktop WinXP!

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