Hey Guys

I have been using Nova Backup for a good few years but with Windows 11 I am thinking its time I looked at what else is out there as the version I have is quite old now and and a few things have stopped working.

Most backup software results always seem to be imaging software which is not what I am looking for I have that covered, I am looking for a local file and folder backup which allows me to select the folders and files I want not a predetermined set of files like Videos, Documents, Images etc.

Something like the image attached which is Nova Backup.

What are you guys using.

Thanks

 

Reliable, Made in Germany, Can do everything...!
Ashampoo® - Backup Pro 27 --> https://www.ashampoo.com/en-us/backup

 

Hey PulseWave

Appreciate the reply as always.

Does this software allow me to manually pick the files and folders I want like my screenshot, the screenshot on the website only shows smart collections, although I do see a manual tab.

 

When i had Windows i used Veeam Agent for Windows.
It´s free and Veeam is very reliable.
I think you can also save Folders.
but i used it for complete incremental Backups

 

For my backup, i'm using FreeFileSync. It's free and quite easy to use.

https://freefilesync.org/

 

Spoiler: Here's a short excerpt from the manual; since the program is in German, I've copied the text:

Here's a short excerpt from the manual; since the program is in German, I've copied the text:

Now select the files/file types you want to back up. The settings for all categories are summarized at the end.

Default Folders
Here you'll find the standard Windows folders for Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Downloads.

Internet, Email, and Organizer
This section covers all common browsers and email applications. It backs up the data created by each application.

Files by Type
If you want to back up specific data types, such as text documents, you can select them here.
Note that the selection in this section refers exclusively to the system drive.

Manual File and Folder Selection
The most flexible selection options are found here.

Manual File and Folder Selection: Add Folder

Adds a folder, including all its files and subfolders, to the selection.
Manual File and Folder Selection: Add Folder with Filter
Adds a folder, including all its files and subfolders, with additional settings to the selection. For example, you can exclude subfolders or filter files by file extension.

Manual File and Folder Selection: Add File
Adds one or more files to the selection.

Manual File and Folder Selection: Edit
Edits the settings for the currently selected entry.

Manual File and Folder Selection: Remove
Removes the selected entry from the selection.

Exclusions
Here you will find folders/files that will not be included in a backup.

Exclusions: Exclude Folder

Excludes a single directory, including its subdirectories, from the backup.

Exclusions: Exclude Folder with Filter

Excludes a single directory, including its subdirectories, from the backup with additional settings. For example, you can exclude subfolders.

 

No win11 here just win10 and below. Been using Acronis Backup/TrueImage for years. Use it to backup servers and workstations. Never use cloud backup or backup junk that runs concurrent to the OS. Only use a bootable iso that runs WinPE and image off entire systems locally storing backup images on large HDDs. All backup images are verified at the time of creation and crc'ed for storage.

TrueImage 21 is verified by acronis as being compatible with win11 though I dont have personal experience with it on win11 because I don't run 11 at all....TrueImage allows individual file backups as well and entire system images, as all proper backup imagers should be able to do...

 

Last edited: Nov 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM

Disk Genius. Free.
Backup to image file
Clones
Winpe usb boot to restore.
https://www.diskgenius.com/free.php

 

Last edited: Nov 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM

ViceVersa PRO
FreeFileSync
GoodSync

 

Clonezilla. Free but can be difficult for beginners.
https://clonezilla.org/