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Time Machine Alternative for Windows - 6 Reliable Tools
10 min. read
Updated onAugust 26, 2024
updated onAugust 26, 2024
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Are you looking for the best Time Machine alternative for Windows?
This intuitive backup and restore macOS app supports unattended and ad hoc backups, scheduling, and more. Its timeline-like display is also the reason for its name, Time Machine.
However, it can be challenging to find a valid alternative for Windows operating systems. Luckily, I’m here to help out!
6 Time Machine Alternatives for Windows
After testing over 20 PC backup and restore programs for over a week, I’ve found that the following six stood above the rest:
Windows File History – Best Built-In Solution
TheFile Historyapp is the most closely related Time Machine alternative for Windows. It ships with every edition since Windows 8. You can enable this feature in theFiles backupsection of theUpdate & Securityor in theSecuritymenu.
It accepts various types of storage devices for backup purposes. For example, you can select anexisting drive, a USB stick, an external mass storage device, andNAS storage. The drives could contain other content or be empty.
You can configure how frequently you want the tool to back up the system and other directories. Also, you can configure it to erase backups within1 month to 2 years. However, you can also keep them forever if needed.
Not to mention, you can determine which folders to save. Or, you can create a snapshot for the entire system.
DriveImage XML– Best Lightweight Backup & Restore
DriveImage XMLlets you create hot or live copies of drives within your Windows PC usingMicrosoft’s Volume Shadow Services (VSS). It works even if you’re working on the source drive.
It allows you to choose a destination for backup. It could be within the same device or on a removable disc drive. It’ll store the data in XML files so you can use any third-party restore programs that support it.
Primarily, it createsimages of partitionsandlogical data drives. Also, you can clone a drive to another one. Furthermore, you can use the software toimport XML backupsfrom other sources. Moreover,DriveImage XMLcan compress images for archival purposes.
The minimal Windows operating system,WinPE Boot Mediumis fully compatible with backup images created byDriveImage XML. Thus, if you’ve suffered from aransomware attack, you can quickly regain control of your devices.
Pricing:It’s free for home and individual use. For business use, licensing costs start from$100.00 for five PCs,one year of free updates, andtwo support incidences.
Get DriveImage XML for free!
Duplicati– Best Open Source Solution
Duplicatiis a Time Machine alternative for Windows with a hybrid environment that includes a cloud dashboard for device monitoring and a standalone client app. So, let’s say you deployed the client software in five PCs connected to the internet. You can control all of those from yourcloud dashboard, likescheduling and performing ad hoc backups, restoring previous versions, etc.
Besides storing backups inexternal SSDsorinternal drives, you can also use cloud storage, likeAmazon S3,Backblaze,Box.com,Dropbox,Google Cloud, etc. Moreover, you can use protocols, likeSFTP Servers,FTP Servers,and Network-attached Storages.
Duplicati allows you to create a new backup or import one from third-party providers. Also, during the restoring phase, you can use a version from the local PC or import one from a cloud storage source. Moreover, during scheduling, you can choose whether to do so locally or on the cloud.
Pricing:It’s free forup to five devices. You can revisit up to thelast 200 saved versions. Duplicati will keep them in this subscription plan forup to one year. If you’d like to get a commercial license, a subscription starts at$5.00/ device/ month. The billing will be done annually.
Get Duplicati for free!
Veeam Agent– Best for Windows Servers and Client PCs
If you’ve got an organizational setup consisting ofWindows Serversand PC clients, you can check outVeeam Agent. ItsVeeam Backup & Replicationsoftware is for servers and bare metal VMM platforms. Contrarily, you can install theStandaloneapp on endpoint devices at remote, onsite, and VMs deployed in cloud locations.
You can create backups of theentire server,client PC,partitions,logical discs,folders, andindividual files. You can also generate abootable USB or DVD mediaby cloning the existing machine.
It offers three different interfaces:
Pricing:Veam has afree editionaimed at tech enthusiasts to protect Windows tablets, laptops, and desktops. Paid plansstart at $428 USD for the Essentials bundleof 5 instances (5 servers or 15 workstations at that cost).
Get Veeam Agent for free!
Uranium Backup– Best for Database Files
Uranium Backupis a popular tool with exclusive support forSQL server,MariaDB,MySQL backup, and more. It allows you to create snapshots of the whole system, a specific drive, folder, and file. Also, you can store it on local drives and the cloud.
One of the best features is thetemplate-based backup and restore. You’ll find a list of hyperlinks on the software home screen. For example, if you click theSQL Server backup/ restoreoption, an appropriate wizard will open to guide you through.
Pricing:You can use the basic services for free. Both non-commercial and commercial usage are allowed. If you need a complete solution, you can start with theBase plan for €80.00for one physical or virtual Windows PC.
Get Uranium Backup for free!
Windows System Restore – Best for Entire System Recovery
Windows System Restoreis the default PC backup program. Microsoft introduced it inWindows XPand it has been around ever since. Best of all, it’s zero maintenance. Unless you’ve manually disabled the app, your Windows OS will often create a system restore point automatically.
It usually happens when you make a major change, likeinstalling an application,hardware driver, orWindows feature update.
However, you can alsomanually create a system restore point.For example, right after installing a new Windows 11 OS and updating drivers, you might want to create one. In the future, if you see a considerable decrease in system performance, you can revert to the last known good configuration.
Windows System Restorecreates a table of backups by date and time. You can use this database to choose the snapshot for restoration. Therefore, you can also select it as a Time Machine alternative for Windows since this table works similarly to its timeline feature.
How I Chose the Best Time Machine Alternative for Windows
Here’s what I considered while choosing the above apps:
Summary
This list should save you from investing too much time in research for backup and restore programs. Try these apps on your PC to experience their features and performance. Now, you can choose the best Time Machine alternative for Windows and comment below to let us know which one you like.
You might also want to look at thesebootable backup options.
More about the topics:system restore,Windows
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
