Data backup is getting difficult now

hello

keeping a backup of my data is now becoming very difficult. I have data in 2 main folders. One is "My Document" (the windows standard) (lets call it folder1) and the other is under C:\MyBackup2 (lets call it folder1)

Both folders have many subfolders and files.

I take image of my hd once every 10 or 15 days but currently i manually copy the contents of the 2 folders on my external harddisk in a folder folder 'MyTotalDocs'.

---> problem i am facing is that many times and after i have done the above step I reorganize the contents of either folder1 or folder2 (just to make it easier for me to find things in case i need to do so in the future). Now suppose after reorganizing folder1 or folder 2, i copy their contents to my external harddisk folder.

What is happening is that I am ending up with many duplicate folders/files and the size of my 'MyTotalDocs' folder on the external hd is getting bigger and bigger.

So I am looking for a utility/tool which can help me. I have read little about synchronization and look like maybe a tool which basically does synchronization is what will solve my problem? :confused

Please help recommend a solution which does not take too much memory.

thnx

 

Why not just keep 2 or 3 copies of "MyTotalDocs" in dated folders? So have MyTotalDocs --> 01.01.01 --> My Documents; MyBackup2

 

Hi collinsl. thank u for reply and suggestion. Yes it offers a indirect solution but if you read my post carefully you will notice that your recommended solution is going to result in the problem I am currently facing i.e. the size of folders.

 

A free synchronisation program will resolve your problem. I currently prefer the free version of GoodSync, but have also found Microsoft's Synctoy and the free version of SyncBack do the job satisfactorily. Everything can be run on a schedule, so you don't have to remember to do it yourself.

 

Thnx Earthling. I will try GoodSync.

Very thankful for your reply

 

Another option: Allway Sync. I have this installed but haven't used it a lot yet. So far, my impression is favorable. I don't know how it compares to ones Earthling mentioned.

 

thanks usafveteran. Just downloaded Eartlink's suggestion. Will try out your suggestion in case the 1st option turn out to be difficult to use.

Apreciate your reply