Acronis True Image 2017 - NewEgg one day say - $30 with $30 MIR

I don't do system backups, really.
 
What I mean by containers is that Acronis saves everything in .tib files rather than just copying folders over in an accessible way. This basically means you always have to use Acronis to access those backups. I don't particularly care for that method of backing things up. I'd rather a program just copy specific folders to a specified location and keep them updated once a week or so if things in my native folders change.

So far True Image has been the most reliable system of the many that I've tried. Performance is comparable to the others and decent unless you go for Max compression but they all suck when you do that. Only have an issue with the containers, as you call them, if I'm trying to extract or restore files with a machine that doesn't have True Image installed but most (all?) professional backup programs have their own proprietary containers as well.  Ran into that issue when I needed to pull some files from a Macrium backup after I stopped using it.
I currently only use a clone/mirror process like you describe to backup highly volatile files and my downloads. Tip - Beyond Compare by Scooter Software is an invaluable tool (and cheap) for comparing and syncing files and folders.
Like I said previously YMMV, I've had some terrible experiences with stuff others here love and the vice versa is true.
 
I do try to keep regular full backups.  I don't have a PC dedicated to audio, I can only budget for one high performance PC so I've got all my stuff on it. It literally takes me a couple of months to reconfigure my system after a fresh Windows install. Between installing and configuring my various audio apps, plugin installations / registrations, my programming apps, etc. - getting back to where I was is a major PITA process.
My sample libraries are on external drives or backed up - so while I don't have to reinstall them I still need to install and configure Kontakt, Play, etc and point them to the proper locations.  
 
I used to hate iLok but I've drunk the coolade and have been converted. It made my life so much easier during my recent PC refresh. Not having to individually activate those plugin licenses was a blessing.
 
Peace out
...Steven
 

I've basically been looking for something that just mirrors folders once a day/week or so rather than a backup image program. I got Acronis because it came in a Humble Bundle. :P

TerraSin
I've basically been looking for something that just mirrors folders once a day/week or so rather than a backup image program. I got Acronis because it came in a Humble Bundle. :P

Just drag n drop folders from Windows explorer to a backup drive.  I'm surprised that somebody doesn't have a script for that which you could schedule.

BobF
I used https://www.freefilesync.org/ without problems for a long time.  The only reason I stopped is because Reflect does everything I want - no need for two tools.

Bob, did you find it insisting on installing PUPS (potentially unwanted programs...ie. Candware) per what slartibartfarst's review?


https://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/reviews

FreeFileSync has this in their FAQ:
 
My virus scanner/firewall shows a scary warning dialog. Is there a virus, malware, or trojan?
No, the FreeFileSync installer never contains malware or viruses. Both firewalls and virus scanners work with heuristics in addition to searching for known virus patterns. Heuristics are generic algorithms that try to identify malicious behavior by evaluating certain program characteristics according to their proprietary implementation. Often, it is already sufficient to have a program access the registry or the internet to get this classification. By their very nature, heuristics cannot be exact and frequently lead to false positive detections. Occasionally FreeFileSync is a victim of this.

In practice, however, one can distinguish real malware threats from heuristic alert as they contain phrases like *gen*, *generic*, *heur*, *heuristic* or *reputation* as part of the threat signature name, for example Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT or Heur.AdvML.B or WS.Reputation.1.

Additionally, certain anti-virus products will not only warn about viruses, but will also flag advertisements like the one shown in the standard FreeFileSync installer. The warning dialogs misleadingly use the same layout as would be used for viruses and trojans. In these cases the only way to tell what the AV software is actually complaining about is, again, to look at the threat signature:
If an advertisement is detected, a signature including *PUA* is used, which is short-hand for possibly unwanted application. For example PUA.InstallCore. In other cases a more descriptive term like *adware* is used. These warnings can safely be ignored since the software advertised in the FreeFileSync installer is always optional.

In any case, when in doubt never trust a single anti-virus software and use an online mass virus scanner for comparison.

BobF
I used https://www.freefilesync.org/ without problems for a long time.  The only reason I stopped is because Reflect does everything I want - no need for two tools.

Well lookie there! That's the program I used to use! Looks a little different but mostly like they just added new stuff. Thanks heaps for that. :D
 
The only thing bothering me about it is that they are calling a subscription a donation when it's clearly not.

Does Microsoft's SyncToy not do what you would need?

abacab

fwrend
Does Microsoft's SyncToy not do what you would need?

 
Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
 
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/is-freefilesync-better-sync-software-than-microsoft-synctoy-windows/
 

Nice, thanks John!

fwrend

abacab

fwrend
Does Microsoft's SyncToy not do what you would need?

 
Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
 
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/is-freefilesync-better-sync-software-than-microsoft-synctoy-windows/
 

Nice, thanks John!

Also hasn't had an update in years.