Handy Backup — a Windows backup tool that plays well with different jobs
Handy Backup is a Windows backup app that’s been around for years and can handle a bit of everything — simple file copies, full disk images, and even database backups if you’ve got the right plugins. The scheduler is its strong point: you can run jobs at fixed times, in intervals, or when certain events happen.
Destinations are flexible — local drives, NAS, FTP/SFTP, or cloud services. It can compress data into ZIP archives, encrypt them with AES, and keep multiple versions so you can roll back if needed. You can stick to the GUI or hook it into scripts if you like things automated.
Capabilities
Feature | Description |
Runs on Windows | Works on Windows desktop and server versions |
Backup Scope | Files, folders, disk images, some databases |
Destinations | Local storage, NAS, FTP/SFTP, cloud providers |
Scheduling | Fixed times, repeating intervals, or after events |
Compression | ZIP and other formats — trades speed for smaller size |
Encryption | AES with a password you set |
Version Control | Keeps older copies for rollback, uses more space |
Automation | CLI support so jobs can run from scripts or batch files |
Deployment Notes
Database backups aren’t magic — you may need to install drivers or set credentials first. Cloud storage needs authentication in advance. Compression and encryption can slow things down on older PCs. If you turn on versioning, watch your storage — it grows fast. Event-based scheduling is a nice touch for backups after app updates or big data imports.
Quick Start (Windows)
1. Download from the official site.
2. Install and launch Handy Backup.
3. Add a task: pick what to back up, choose destination, set schedule.
4. Turn on compression/encryption if needed.
5. Save and run it once to test.
Where it’s useful
– Servers that need daily file and DB backups without complex scripts.
– Workstations backing up sensitive files to encrypted external drives.
– Setups mixing NAS and cloud targets in the same environment.
– Pulling web server data over SFTP.
– Admins who want a GUI most days but also a CLI for automation when needed.