Thread: PainLess Backups to USB Drives

USB THUMB DRIVES make your daily backups cheap and easy to perform. Unfortunately, not all USB drives sup¬port automatic backups.

Devices that are labeled "USB Smart Drives" have the required U3 functions, and Lexar's PowerToGo drives have a self-contained operating system that lets you use files and programs on the drive from any USB-equipped PC with¬out leaving any traces on the system when you remove the drive.



Most of these drives come with trial or full versions of backup and syncing software, but you can download a free copy of SanDisk's CruzerSync for U3 (/Default.aspx; follow the download instructions) or try Migo Software's Migo Personal for U3 (free trial at u3.com/ Prod u cC Deta i Is.as px? Prod u ctld; 76&Selection;6).

Select the folders and files that you want to back up by clicking the box next to the folder in the outline tree. Both CruzerSync and Migo back up and sync your Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express messages and address books, so you can access them on any computer.

You can set any of these programs to create images of and/or sync specified folders automatically when you insert the drive into a USB port. Some Smart Drives also perform automatic back¬ups at set times if the device remains in the USB port.