[raybro]

Although I do not own a machine with Win 7 (I run XP), I have a number of friends and family who do run Win7. Since I'm the go to guy for that group of folks when they have a PC problem or question, I find I need to learn a bit more about some aspects of the Win7 OS.

One murky area for me is the built in backup feature. I've used Acronis with great satisfaction since it first became available and recently have been using the free program called Easeus ToDo Backup Home. Both have perform admirably whenever I've needed them.

What I'd like to have some input on is whether the experience out there can say whether the Win7 built in backup program performs to the same standard as the two programs I've mentioned. I've learned in basic research that one cannot retrieve specific files from a full C:/ drive backup (like Acronis), but the program can create backups of selected files separate from the full backup. Any opinions regarding any downsides to the built in backup program would also be appreciated.

[leroys1000]

Windows 7 backup is pretty limited.
I use it to do a backup of a clean install and a backup
when my regular programs are installed.
It does a full system image and can be set for scheduled backup.
It has major problems dealing with restoring to a different size
hard drive.
Much better to stick with a third party backup program for
incremental backups or restoring to a new drive.

[raybro]

With some exceptions, that reflects my experience with a number of MS utilities. They often don't seem to put a lot of consideration into flexibility.

A notable exception is Microsoft Security Essentials. Really good program, IMHO.

Much appreciate the response.