Handy, reliable backup tool for your important data
CyberLink PowerBackup is one of the easiest backup copy tools we’ve seen – and believe us, here at Softonic, we’ve tested a few.
To use CyberLink PowerBackup you only need to follow four simple steps. The first one is obviously selecting the data you want to back up – either folders and files, or application data. Then you need to pick a destination to store that information, including removable media such as DVD and blu-ray discs.
The third step in CyberLink PowerBackup is choosing a backup method from full (which backs up all selected files and folders), differential (which only backs up those files that have been added or modified since the last full backup) and incremental (which backs up files and folders that have been modified since the last incremental backup).
Once you’ve configured all the options you can hit the Back Up Now button to finally start the process, or add it to the Scheduler function in CyberLink PowerBackup so that the copies are done automatically.
CyberLink PowerBackup features other common options in backup software, such as password protection and the ability to ZIP backups so that they take up less space. No other advanced options, though.
CyberLink PowerBackup may not be a very sophisticated backup program, but it’s easy to use and does what it says on the tin.
User reviews about CyberLink PowerBackup
by Anonymous
It is Preset to NOT do truly full backups.
I am using the 2.6 version of PowerBackup. PowerBackup is not designed to do real-full-system backups out of the box without major analysis and tweaking. I tested the so-called "full" backup feature twice and learned by trial and error that PowerBackup is more easily a failure than a success, unless you know how to tweak its features.
When it comes to a "full system backup." PowerBackup 2.5 and 2.6 has eliminated essential Operating System files that are necessary to do a complete "full" backup. There are no warnings, no flags, and you only find it out through trial and error. Not even the full PDF manual from the internet tells this much!
Case in point, if you open Options and tab Filter, the program has preset "Do not backup the following file types:," and two icons are preset, "Hidden files and folders" and "Protected Operation files." While the end user may be leaping with joy after reading this positive review and rush into making a full backup, they will find a disaster when it is time to do a restoration, because not all files for Windows were copied. End users will not get full OS backup even if they check marked "Drive C," which is horrible for intuitive software that lacks a manual.
The only way around this is to open Filter and click each blocked item and then Remove them from the list. On the first window, it gives you the option of what you wish to check off for copying. If you check mark the first box, then all boxes are automatically checked off giving you the impression that the entire system is being backed up. Nope, not even close. It was by already knowing how many Gigs and files are on my system that I became suspiciously aware that I was not getting the kind of backup that, say, Acronis, Macrium, or Paragon would give me. PowerBackup was showing only about half the file and Gig numbers, which is when I found that they have the essential files blocked, but worse, to do the complete backup, you have to go down from the check marked boxes to the closed icon, "This PC," and open it. Then you will see your "C:" drive is unchecked, so while you think you are getting a full backup, you aren't and this is the fault of PowerBackup giving the impression of easy end user software, like other Cyberlink products, that will leave them with no Operating System when they try to restore it. You must open "This PC" and check mark the "C:" drive to get a truly full backup. These hidden quirks run foul against all of the other kind of easy to use backup programs on the market, so I do not even suggest Cyberlinks PowerBackup unless you are fully aware of this kind of tricky tweaking and can work with it. End users should not have to figure out workarounds to get the results that should be intuitively setup by the software creator. It gets one star for their effort and their blueray capabilities. More