NTI Backup Now is the flagship line of backup software from the folks at NewTech Infosystems (NTI). It comes in three versions: standard, advanced, and EZ. The advanced edition can do drive-based backups, while the standard edition is limited to files and folders. The advanced edition also adds a feature called continuous backup. This review covers the advanced edition. The EZ edition is covered in a separate review.
Pros
- Can back up hard drives, files, and folders
- Continuous backup protects all files of a certain type
Cons
- Price ($63)
- No online/cloud backup
The Bottom Line
The three-step interface is easy to follow and it backs up entire hard drives with ease.
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Installation
NTI Backup Now offers a choice of either a Typical, Compact, or Custom installation type. A few additional programs will be installed with the Typical installation, so users wanting just the main program should select Custom.
Backing Up
NTI Backup Now performed well in testing and had no trouble backing up my entire computer.
The interface is divided into three steps.
Step 1 – What to backup?
Options include file-based, drive-based, or all files of a certain type. Drive-based will backup your entire hard drive.
Step 2 – Where to backup?
This is where you want to store your backup. You can choose removable USB drives, network drives, or local hard drives.
Step 3 – When & How to backup?
Select the type of backup, either full or incremental. A full backup will backup all selected files and folders every time. Incremental backups will save space by only backing up changes after the first full backup.
Finally, schedule the backup to run either daily, weekly, monthly, or continuously (for continuous type backups).
Restoring
Restoring your files is easy and can be done right within the program.
Lose your entire hard drive? System unbootable? Then you’ll need a recovery CD. You can create one from the Tools and Utilities menu in NTI Backup Now. This is only available in the advanced edition, by the way.
The CD recovery environment is no-frills, but it works and that’s what matters.
Features
Drive-Based backup
Exact duplicates of your hard drive at a specific point in time, which can later be restored in the event of a system failure.
Continuous Backup
This will backup specific files or folders on a continuous basis. For instance, if you wanted to protect all your Word documents (.doc). You can also select the number of previous file versions to save.
Reports
NTI Backup Now generates reports for every backup, restore, compare, and migration operation. These can be viewed anytime from the Reports tab.
Support
The software includes a help manual and a link to frequently asked questions. The manual is well laid out and easy to follow. Users should have no trouble finding answers to their questions.
Technical support is available via a web-based email form. I submitted a support request and was responded to the same day. NTI writes, “We will make our best efforts to answer your question within 24 business hours of receipt, but please allow us up to 48 hours for a guaranteed response.”
Specifications | |
Product Name | NTI Backup Now 5 Advanced |
Version | 5.5.0.116 |
License | Shareware |
Price | $63.99 |
Operating Systems | Window |
Backup Types | |
Files and Folders | |
Full Disk Image | |
Incremental | |
Differential | |
Backup Destinations | |
Hard Drive | |
Removable Media | |
Network Shares | |
Blu-ray | |
CD/DVD | |
FTP | |
SFTP | |
Online Storage | |
Features | |
Compression | |
Encryption | |
Email Notifications | |
Error Handling | |
File Versioning | |
Priority Setting | |
Scheduling | |
Speed Limiting | |
Synchronization |