Product Reviews

Backing up important files is one of those chores that many PC users never quite get around to until it's too late. But with the plummeting cost of external disks and USB thumb drives, there really has never been a better time to implement a backup regime.

But it's not just about hardware. UtiliSync is a new backup application that allows those with modest needs to synchronise important data with another disk, be it a network drive, external hard disk or USB flash drive.

Setup couldn't be more straightforward.

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Select the target drive, define the scanning interval and then decide which files and folders are to be monitored. UtiliSync then monitors these and writes them to the desired backup volume whenever newer versions are detected.

Should the target become unavailable for any reason, a pop-up window will prompt for the device to be reconnected but will also allow the alert to be silenced lest it become a source of irritation. In this case, UtiliSync continues to save changed files to a temporary location and automatically writes them to the target as soon as it becomes available again.

It works well in practice and provides invaluable insurance. But its simplicity means it's a little lacking in features. A single target volume is all that's allowed and there are no security features or FTP support of any kind.

There are certainly more comprehensive backup solutions available at this price, but none come close to the ease of use here. For those with undemanding backup needs and an aversion to complex configuration, UtiliSync offers peace of mind and hassle-free operation.