EaseUS ToDo Backup 2022 review: New interface, same great capabilities

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EaseUS ToDo Backup has long been one of our favorite backup programs for Windows. It is versatile, backs up reliably and is very easy to use. The new version offers more of the same quality, but with a new look and, most importantly, cloud storage. Let’s dive into the details.

This review is part of our ongoing roundup of the best backup software. Go there for information on competing products and how we tested them.

EaseUS ToDo Backup: Features

One of the advantages of ToDo Backup is that it offers both file/folder backup and drive/partition image. The former simply copies files and stores them in a container file (*.pbd), while the latter copies all information to a disk or partition, for bulk restores and recovery of your system.

Full (all data), incremental (all data since last backup), and differential (all changes since initial full backup) backup options are all supported. If you’re wondering about the advantages of each of these last two types: incremental backups are generally much faster, while differential backups restore faster.

The free and home versions ($39.95 per year or $59.95 perpetual) offer all of these basic features. The Home version, which I tested, goes even further with disk/partition/system cloning, Outlook email backup, security zone (think OS partition restore), restore on various hardware and PCs, and for an additional $20 ($59.95 per year), 1TB of online storage.

There’s also, of course, the usual array of backup bells and whistles: scheduling (including near real-time smart backups), pre- and post-backup commands, raw or data-only images, protection by password, file filtering, post-job email notifications, compression and CPU settings, etc. You can also split backups to accommodate smaller target media such as optical discs.

The program also supports a wide variety of hardware backup media. LTO tape is supported on the $49 Enterprise Workstation version, but that’s not reviewed here. Optical is supported by all paid versions, as well as most other removable media. You can, of course, back up to any type of storage you can mount and assign a drive letter.

EaseUS ToDo Backup can also be run from its own Windows PE (Pre-installation Environment) bootable disc (i.e. an emergency disc), if your system crashes and you need to. restore. This of course requires that you have already created an image of the drive and that the backup is local. EaseUS told me that a system restore from the cloud will be supported within the next year, but at the moment cloud storage is not supported from disk in any way. starting.

You can also restore individual files from the startup disk, but you’re probably better off reinstalling ToDo on your new OS installation for this task. The startup disk does not have access to your cloud storage.

EaseUS ToDo Backup: design and interface

I was very impressed with how ToDo Backup organized the functions and guided me through the backup/recovery process. Although I’m an old timer, this shouldn’t tax the skills of new users too much, at least those with a basic understanding of computers and where files are stored.

ToDo Backup makes it easy to select what you want to back up and offers simple options (shown below) for the most common backup operations: your Outlook email and your operating system. The latter simply involves creating an image of the entire disk from which you boot your operating system. If you use other email programs, use file and folder backup for your email.

You can also back up your system with the more versatile disk backup, but the OS option simplifies a not necessarily intuitive process that involves multiple partitions and could confuse less experienced users.

One thing to note is that although there is a large Browse to retrieve button, you’d better right-click the appropriate backup job in the list on the left of the interface and select Recovery. This takes you straight to the save even if you don’t remember where it is. Also note that ToDo Backup places backups in a subfolder with your computer’s name, not at the root level of the destination you selected.

As I hinted, ToDo Backup’s GUI is still mostly wizard-driven, although the look has been revamped since our last review. The color pattern is more serious, using shades of gray, and there’s a really nice animation too. In particular, an animation shows data flowing like air from the source to the target location (see image below). It’s a bit fun and unexpected, though it’s no more telling than the simple progress bar that’s also present.

EaseUS ToDo Backup: Performance

I tested all basic backup tasks, which largely proceeded at the pace dictated by the media involved. In other words, performance was roughly on par with most backup programs. I also checked the program from an emergency USB (optical is also an option). Since the environment is Windows PE, there was no significant difference in interface or performance, but if you have special hardware you will need to add drivers when you create the emergency disk.

The exception to “no significant difference” is the already discussed lack of cloud connectivity from the boot disk. You can backup and restore from local media or the network, but not online. EaseUS says this capability is in the works.

EaseUS ToDo Backup: A Very Good Backup Program

EaseUS ToDo Backup remains one of the best paid options for backing up your files and images. We like the improvements, especially the interface. The free version, on the other hand, is a real boon for those with minimal needs or money.