Free backup software for ExFat?

[jangozo]

Hi,

I'm forced to use a windows readable/writeable file system on my external drive and at the same time I have files which I want to backup. I need ideas on what to use for my backups.

What backup software do you guys use (apart from Time Machine) and does it support ExFat? Also I'm not into spending money on backup software and don't want to pirate things so free software is the only option for me.

Thanks

 

[GGJstudios]

Hi,

I'm forced to use a windows readable/writeable file system on my external drive and at the same time I have files which I want to backup. I need ideas on what to use for my backups.

What backup software do you guys use (apart from Time Machine) and does it support ExFat? Also I'm not into spending money on backup software and don't want to pirate things so free software is the only option for me.

Thanks

If your intent is to back up your system files, the backup drive must be HFS+, no matter which backup software you use. Carbon Copy Cloner can make a bootable backup if the backup drive is HFS+. If you only want to backup some user files, you may have more flexibility.

You can use version 3.5.1 ($40) or 3.4.7 (free, and works well on OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8).

Format A Hard Drive Using Disk Utility (which is in your /Applications/Utilities folder)

Choose the appropriate format:

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)

• Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
• Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac OS X system files.
  [*]To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
  [*]To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
• Maximum file size: 8EiB
• Maximum volume size: 8EiB
• Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits
• You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
  [*]To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
  • For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon ($19.95) (Best Choice for Lion and Mountain Lion)
  • For 32-bit Mac OS X, install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
  • Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx $36), which is an enhanced version of NTFS-3G with faster performance.
  • Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and later versions, but is not advisable, due to instability.
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
• Maximum file size: 16 TB
• Maximum volume size: 256TB
• You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.

exFAT (FAT64)

• Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
• Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
• exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
• Maximum file size: 16 EiB
• Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
• You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
  [*]Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB
• You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.

 

[jangozo]

You and your automated responses.

 

[GGJstudios]

You and your automated responses.

If the same questions are asked repeatedly......

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi,

I'm forced to use a windows readable/writeable file system on my external drive and at the same time I have files which I want to backup. I need ideas on what to use for my backups.

What backup software do you guys use (apart from Time Machine) and does it support ExFat? Also I'm not into spending money on backup software and don't want to pirate things so free software is the only option for me.

Thanks

What is it you want to backup? As long as it is not system files, you can use CCC to backup files like documents and videos to an ExFAT drive.

The first time you will get the below warning showing the limitations of ExFAT. But if it is just some docs or vids, you will be fine.

 

[jangozo]

What is it you want to backup? As long as it is not system files, you can use CCC to backup files like documents and videos to an ExFAT drive.

The first time you will get the below warning showing the limitations of ExFAT. But if it is just some docs or vids, you will be fine.

I don't have system files to backup so CCC is a good option but I found out rsync is a much better option because I can backup to online servers also.

 

[Weaselboy]

I don't have system files to backup so CCC is a good option but I found out rsync is a much better option because I can backup to online servers also.

You can do that with CCC also. Actually, CCC is partly based on rsync.

But yep... if you have the skills to cobble together the commands, rsync will do the trick for you. If you will be using the same source/destination every time, you could even put your rsync command in an Applescript, then save it as an application. Then when you want to copy the files, just click your app.