Backup - Do I need specialist software?

Hi,

I have about about 20 GB of files (Excel, Word, mp3s, etc.) that change regularly as I update them, delete them, and move them, etc.

I'd like to back up them regularly to an external hard drive and I am hoping that you can advise me as to the best way to do it.

In an experiment with a folder containing files totalling 10 MB in size, I backed it up using the Windows Backup add on (this created a 4.34 MB file) and the IZArc compression software (this created a 7.94 MB) file.

Am I correct in concluding that backing up data with specialist software such as Windows Backup is a more efficient method than creating a zip file or just copying anbd pasting the data to new location?

And if I need specialist software for backups, is Windows Backup good enough? Another AAM user previouisly recommended the freeware SyncBack ([broken link removed]while Genie Soft Backup Manager comes highly recommended at

http://www.backup-software-reviews.com/ It is priced at $50 and $70 for the 'Home' and 'Pro' versions, respectively.

I doubt that you need specialist software. Windows/BT Backup should work fine. If you want to back them up in their native file format (not compressed - as I believe Windows/NT Backup does - or stored in some proprietary backup file format) then something like the free might be of use. Even if these options don't satisfy your needs chances are there are some free tools out there that will.