Dell Backup and Restore

This came bundled with my new Inspiron and I have used it a couple of times to find an old file and a picture that had disappeared from my hard drive. It works well when restoring to the original machine but the big problem is that you need the programme to find the files if you're working on another laptop. Does anyone know a way of getting files from the image on the external drive where I store my backups without using the Dell programme?

Download the program and install it on the other laptop.

http://www.dell.com/support/contents/us/en/04/articl...

Yes, I know I can do that but I two of the laptops I use are from work and won't allow me to install programmes. The reason for my question is that yesterday I was at work and had my recovery HD with me (I leave it there for security). I urgently needed a reference number to discuss an insurance claim on the phone and the document was on my home laptop with a copy on the backup. (Luckily I managed to have the conversation after going through a myriad of security questions).

Backup formats tend to be proprietary and require the original software to access - so as you can't install that software you are unlikely to find another (easy) way to do this.

Yes. They are intended as backup programs not transfer programs.

I've heard good things about Acronis. Would that have worked in this case?

I don't think that any backup program would have worked if you are unable to install the corresponding program on another computer. If you want the data to be accessible from any other computer just copy the directories/files - you can easily create a batch file using robocopy that automates the process without recopying files that have already been copied.

For files that need to be accessed from anywhere I use The Cloud; that way you don't even need to carry a physical device with you.

Acronis allows you to build standalone bootable media which grants single/multiple file(s) access to any compatible backup archive via an Explorer type interface. Obviously, you have to be able to boot from that media.

Edited by Deadbeat (Mon 22-Feb-16 12:39:34)