In this guide I tell you how to make a backup of your data with Cobian, a very powerful program that you can use for free.In this guide I will explain to you step by step how to use the Cobian backup program . I will show you the whole process from start to finish , that is, from downloading and installing the software to running a task to safeguard your files. Don’t miss it!
Download and install Cobian on your PC
Cobian is a backup tool for PCs . If you have another operating system, you will have to opt for a different solution. For example, macOS users have Time Machine , Apple’s own backup solution. In the case of Linux, you may want to use
With this in mind, if you have a Windows computer, you can download Cobian for free . Just click on the link above. Once you are on their official website, click on Cobian Backup 11 (Gravity) .
Once you have the cbSetup.exe file , run it on your computer to begin the installation. The wizard is really simple and the steps it shows are not mysterious, especially if you are used to installing many programs in Windows. Press Next to complete each stage of the installer.
The only step you need to pay more attention to is the one that has to do with the type of installation . And that is that you can install Cobian as a service, something that will be useful if you want to create scheduled tasks in Windows to run automatic backups. My recommendation is that you do not change anything in this section, but due to its importance it was convenient that I provide you with some additional explanation.
All you need to do is enter your Windows 11 username and password . This will allow Cobian to install itself as a service and start automatically with the system.
If you prefer not to provide this information, select the Application (auto-start for current user) installation type . By the way, the installer is in Spanish. Select this language from the drop-down menu above the flags.
Finish the installation of Cobian and then run the program from the system tray. Its interface is not exactly the most modern, but it is functional and easy to understand.
Now you are ready to create new tasks that allow you to schedule backups on your computer . Let’s see how to do it.
How to use Cobian on Windows 11
And I say Windows 11 in the title of this section because it is the system I have used and, furthermore, the latest available. However, Cobian is compatible with Windows 10 , Windows 8 and most previous versions of the system. Once I have clarified this point, it is time to review what the next steps are.
The first thing you should do is press the Plus (+) button .
Next, go through the different sections to customize the task and create a backup that fits your needs . The first section is General , where you will find the main backup options.
Depending on the objectives you have set, you must choose one or the other options. The most important ones are these:
- Task name – If you are going to create multiple types of copies, it is a good idea to give them a name that helps you differentiate between them all.
- Backup type . A full backup copies all data each time the job is run. An incremental backup makes a full backup and then copies only the files that have changed. Finally, a differential backup copies all data that has changed since the last full backup.
Once you have decided on the main features of the task, it is time to move on to Files . In this section, you will be able to add the sources of the backup and indicate the destination. Add those folders that you want to keep safe and determine in which folder they should be copied.
In this case, you should know that it is possible to choose several sources and send them all to a single directory. You can also choose a file, a folder or an FTP server . Although the normal thing is to use a NAS or an external hard drive as the destination, you can also use another partition on the same drive or any directory on your disk. The latter is useful if you are interested in merging several folders into one and, in addition, doing it automatically every so often.
The Schedule section is where you schedule the backup and set parameters such as task repetition . There are many options, but you will not only be able to choose between a daily, weekly or monthly backup. It is also possible to schedule the task to run with the system or using an internal timer as a reference.
In addition to these sections, there are others that you should review before pressing OK to save the task. These are their functions:
- Archive . Options related to the type of archiving of the copy. Allows you to choose whether to apply compression or encryption to the information.
- Filter – Makes it easy to use filters to include and exclude specific files. In fact, it helps you prevent copies of a specific type of file from being made .
- Events . Helps you associate other events with the execution of the task, such as stopping a service or closing a program.
- Advanced – Here you will find some additional options, such as the ability to delete empty folders within the backup.
Once you have finished configuring the task, press OK . If you have applied the corresponding schedule, then simply let Cobian do its job. On the other hand, if the task is manual, you can call the program to run it whenever you want.