Running backups will always be a tedious process. It's a fundamental law of nature. But the pain can be kept to a minimum with the right backup software, and there are few better choices than East-Tec Backup 2007.

The program provides a standard tree-type view to specify the folders you'd like to back up, for instance, but that's just the start. You could also ask it to search for and save particular file types (videos, music, pictures, financial or productivity files), no matter where they are on your hard drive. It can save Registry settings or your emails in a couple of clicks. And the User Settings dialog allows you to preserve the settings for various common applications (audio and video players, instant messengers, browsers, more) by just checking a few boxes.

The flexibility continues when you get to decide your backup destination. You're able to save files to a local folder, network drive, removable disc, CD/ DVD, even a remote FTP connection. And the program can work with incremental, differential and stacked backups (the latter creates multiple copies of changed files with version numbers), so you're sure to find an option that works for you.

But the features don't stop there. There's not just the ability to compress your files, for instance: you can also create self-extracting archives, or split the archives into files of a defined size. Encryption comes in both ZIP password and AES forms. The scheduler has just about as many configuration options as you'll have ever seen. And once the backup is complete, the program can do anything from play sounds, to send emails or run the program of your choice. It doesn't get much more versatile than this.

Obtaining Your Serial Code

Point a browser at www.east-tec.com/vnufree for instructions on obtaining your licence key.

Please note that vnunet.com is the only authorised distributor of this software. Please do not redistribute.

Upgrade to East-Tec Backup 2008

The latest version of East-Tec Backup improves the program with ZIP64 support, letting you create compressed archives greater than 4 GB. There's support for incremental and differential backups to CD and DVD, archives can be spanned across multiple hard drives, and you'll get enhanced reporting tools. It's a supremely professional tool, yet comes at the decidedly low-end price of only £7.50. Or you can buy licences to cover two PCs for a mere £15. It's a real backup bargain, and you can upgrade directly from the author's web site at www.east-tec.com/vnuoffer