AOMEI Backupper Professional is a complete and easy-to-use backup software for Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP (all editions, 32/64bit).

It supports system/files/folders/disk/partition backup, restore and clone as well as provides other advanced features, such as backup using command line prompt or batch scripts; automatically delete older backup images to manage backup disk space; merge multiple incremental backups into a full backup; schedule, incremental, differential backup; backup to NAS and network; partition alignment to optimize SSD during the restoring or cloning operation; dynamic disk volumes backup; GPT disk backup; create Windows PE & Linux bootable media; manually add additional drivers when create Windows PE Bootable CD; sending email notifications; backing up or restoring files from a network to another; editing task name and the directory of backup images; backup logs management; exporting or importing all backup tasks and so on.

Besides, the unique function of this software is VSS, a technology from Microsoft that enables system or data backup process won’t be interrupted by running applications. So it is very efficient because backup can still be available when you’re working.

Backing Up

Backupper works by making an image file of your hard drive, which can then be restored to the exact state the drive was in when the backup was made. Choosing “Disk Backup”, you’ll be guided through the process of selecting which drive to backup, where to store the backup, and finally creating it.

AOMEI Backupper can take full, incremental, or differential backups.  Incremental backups only back up changes since the last backup, and therefore save the most disk space. There are some advanced settings available, such as compression, splitting the backup, and password protected AES encryption.  It can also copy locked and open files.

The newest version of Backupper has scheduling, so you don’t have to manually run backups anymore.

Restoring

If you want to restore within Windows, you can.  However, the program will need to restart your computer to finish restoring the disk image. To restore in case of a system failure, you’ll need to create recovery media.  Any blank CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive will do.  You’ll want to create this before problems occur, such as when you first install AOMEI Backupper. The boot recovery environment looks very familiar.  You can backup, restore, and perform the same functions as in the desktop version.

Since I had multiple backups, I was given the option to select which recovery point to restore.  I then selected which drive I wanted to restore to, and after a few confirmation screens, the software began (and completed) restoring my drive. I was impressed with how easy the system recovery was; I can see how users with little computer knowledge could use AOMEI Backupper to backup and restore their system.  There’s nothing complicated about it, as the software is easy to understand and navigate.

Features

Disk and Partition Clone

Bought a new hard drive?  AOMEI Backupper can copy all your data over, system files and all.

Mount Backups

Backupper is mostly “full disk imaging” software, however you can restore individual files by mounting backups as local drives, and copying/pasting files you want to restore.

Support

AOMEI states they provide full support for their freeware.  I emailed their support department and was responded to within 1 business day.  There are also user guides, videos, and a list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on their website.

Summary

There’s a serious lack of free, full disk imaging software on the market.  So I’m happy to see this isn’t a watered down version of some paid software.  AOMEI Backupper can backup your entire hard drive quickly, easily, and for free.  I highly recommend it.