Renee Becca is an all-in-one backup solution for Windows

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 28, 2015
Updated • Sep 28, 2015
Backup, Software
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30

Renee Becca is the world's most advanced data backup software according to Reneelab, lets see if that holds after our review of the program.

Renee Becca is available as a free and commercial version. You need to register using an email address to unlock the free version using a product key sent to the email address you registered an account with.

The installation holds no surprises and all options become available once you activate the free version of the backup software.

The program displays a tutorial screen on start that explains the core concepts backup, recover and clone using graphics and fast links to the options to get started right away.

Backup refers to backing up data, recovery to recover previously backed up data, and clone to move data from one hard drive or partition to another.

renee becca
yes, there is a spelling error.

The very same core options are listed on the left side of the interface so that you can switch to them quickly after start. There does not seem to be an option to change the start screen which means that you will always start on the tutorial screen.

The program lists three backup, recovery and clone options under each core options link.

Backup

renee becca backup software

This is the first and without doubt prominent option of Renee Becca. The three backup options displayed here on this screen are the following ones:

  1. System Backup - This lets you back up the partition Windows is installed on.
  2. Disk/Partition Backup - Backup one hard drive or partition that is connected to the machine currently.
  3. File Backup - Backup individual files or folders.

All backup modes share most customization options and the main difference between them is the source or sources that you select in the first step.

If you select system backup for instance, the source is selected automatically for you if there is only one version of Windows installed on the PC. File backup on the other hand lets you pick as many files or folders you want to include in the backup.

The remaining options are identical. They include five different backup modes to choose from as well as advanced options that provide you with additional customization options.

The backup modes

supported backup modes

The following five backup modes are supported by the program:

  1. Version Chain Mode - This is a differential backup mode that has been modified to only keep the five recent versions of a backup. Means, older versions are removed after a backup completes successfully.
  2. Signal version Mode - This is like Full mode but will restrict versions to one. The main advantage of the mode is that you don't have to deal with old backups, the disadvantage that you cannot restore older copies because they are deleted automatically.
  3. Full Backup - Creates a full backup every time this option is selected.
  4. Incremental Mode - Creates incremental backups after backing up full data the first time. You may select the interval in which new full version backups are created.
  5. Differential Mode - Creates differential backups after backing up all data the first time. You may select the interval for this mode as well.

The main difference between incremental and differential backups is the following: incremental backups always back up new or changed files since the last backup run (either full or incremental) while differential backups always what has changed or been added since the last full backup.

The advanced options

advanced backup options

Next to selecting the desired backup mode, you may configure advanced backup options with a click on the advanced tab. Some options are only available based on the backup option selected but most are available for all.

  1. Backup comments.
  2. Error Handling - Define automatic error handling. You may set a number of repeats if the backup fails,or choose to ignore bad sectors.
  3. Computer Shutdown.
  4. Compression - Enable compression, and whether you want to save used and free blocks.
  5. Exclusions - Exclude hidden files, system files or files that match criteria that you define.
  6. File-level security settings - Preserve file security settings.
  7. Backup splitting.

One option that is missing here is encryption.

Recovery

recovery

All three recovery options work only in conjunction with backups created previously. They work exactly the same way, only that they restore data instead of backing it up.

  1. System Recovery - Restores the system to a previous state by recovering a previously backed up system image.
  2. Disk/Partition Recovery - This restores a previously backed up disk or partition.
  3. File Recovery - Restores files or folders that you have backed up previously.

Clone

clone

Clone finally offers options to copy a hard disk, a partition or system partition to another hard disk or partition.

  1. Hard Disk Clone - Copies all contents of the selected source hard disk to a target disk.
  2. Partition Clone - Works exactly the same as hard disk clone but for partitions.
  3. System Redeploy - Copy the existing Windows partition to another hard disk, for instance to migrate from hard drive to Solid State Drive.

Cloning works direct which means that you need both the source and destination drive / partition connected to the machine at the same time. The backup program takes advantage of VSS shadow technology to copy data on the live system.

Tasks, History and Tools

tasks

The top toolbar lists the three options Tasks, History and Tools which provide you with further options.

Tasks basically lists completed tasks. You may filter the list by type, date or name for example which can be useful if backups are created regularly using the software.

One interesting option here is the ability to make quick changes to backups. You may for instance turn scheduling on or off from the Task screen, or launch backup or recovery options from there as well.

There is also a link to a browse option but that appears to be not implemented yet.

Apart from that, you may run new backup jobs directly from the Task window or create a Rescue CD.

History is a log that displays all jobs and their status (success, warning, error). You may filter the selection by time period (e.g. last seven days) or even source.

Tools finally lists three optional tools that you may find useful:

  1. Disk Manager opens Windows' disk management tool.
  2. Disk/Partition Eraser wipes a selected partition or disk so that it cannot be restored anymore.
  3. Data Loss redirects to the company's Data Recovery program.

Closing Words

There are many great backup programs available for Windows that are free and Renee Becca is certainly one that deserves a spot among them. The only feature the program is lacking as far as I can tell is backup encryption.

The website could use a comparison between the free and paid version as it is not really clear how they differ apart from premium support that you get when you buy the premium version.

Summary
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Software Name
Renee Beeca
Operating System
Windows
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Comments

  1. Jason Bourque said on November 12, 2020 at 9:48 am
    Reply

    After countless hours of looking for a free disk cloning and backup software, I came across Renee Rebecca from (reneelab.com). It is a very easy and user friendly program and contains a lot of very usable features. IO am very happy with this product and I’m sure if you give it a try you will be too.

  2. 1 said on March 27, 2016 at 3:39 am
    Reply

    Windows Defender won’t let me install this. Apparently it is “Potentially Unwanted Software”.

  3. DrJBHL said on October 4, 2015 at 12:41 pm
    Reply

    As with Acronis (2013), I don’t see the possibility to create a disk image, only a clone. Wonder why these programs don’t provide for the additional option.

  4. DonGateley said on October 1, 2015 at 7:03 am
    Reply

    It doesn’t seem able to back up to network drives. The backup button in a task that specifies such is faded out and unresponsive.

  5. Renee haraes said on September 30, 2015 at 8:12 am
    Reply

    This two re 100%? Than thats good way to follow .

  6. rickxs said on September 30, 2015 at 2:03 am
    Reply

    1 word AOMEI

  7. nightcreature said on September 29, 2015 at 8:32 pm
    Reply

    How about creation of bootable media?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on September 29, 2015 at 8:39 pm
      Reply

      You can create a system rescue CD.

  8. beergas said on September 28, 2015 at 11:52 pm
    Reply

    http://www.acronis.com/en-us/resource/solutions/backup/2005/incremental-backups.html has a nice description of dif between differential & Incremental. Has a plus for their s/w that says its special in way it makes incremental faster using snapshot. Incremental small & fast but usually takes longer to restore since does both last Full backup & the saves of changed data made since that Full backup.

  9. beergas said on September 28, 2015 at 11:46 pm
    Reply

    No guess of speed required? Macrium Reflect @15mins backup, 18mins restore image. Clean & simple. This one looks bit shoddy. Thanks for thought though.

  10. Jeff said on September 28, 2015 at 10:36 pm
    Reply

    My winning combination is

    1. Macrium Reflect Free for full C: partition imaging, and…

    2. SyncBack Free for file/folder backup.

    These two are 100% free, clean, lightweight, only on run on demand (no hidden services or other crap), never nag you to upgrade, and are super easy to use. They’ve never failed me and I see no reason to switch.

    1. silat said on September 28, 2015 at 10:44 pm
      Reply

      I agree.
      1. Shadow Protect
      2. Syncback Pro ( I bought it because I appreciate the program)

  11. PhoneyVirus said on September 28, 2015 at 8:50 pm
    Reply

    I still favor AOMEI Backupper Standard and even created a Jewel Cover for the case thats how much I like it.

  12. T800 said on September 28, 2015 at 5:28 pm
    Reply

    better than aomei backupper?

  13. Dilemma said on September 28, 2015 at 5:05 pm
    Reply

    Can’t see any mention if uses any de-deuplication…

  14. george kinbote said on September 28, 2015 at 5:01 pm
    Reply

    I’m somewhat leery of using a program which introduces itself with “Dear Sir/Mandam”
    after all, using a spell checker is simpler than creating software
    does it actually work?
    how does it rate compared to Acronis?

  15. bruno said on September 28, 2015 at 4:41 pm
    Reply

    OT: what’s with the Google ads at the bottom promoting your own site? Are they standard CPC ads or something different?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on September 28, 2015 at 4:45 pm
      Reply

      They are not ads at all, we don’t get paid for those.

      1. bruno said on September 28, 2015 at 4:49 pm
        Reply

        Ok, just being curious. I’ve seen this format more often lately. It is some special Google service?

  16. jimbo said on September 28, 2015 at 4:22 pm
    Reply

    Just a heads up for anyone not aware of a little alternative jewel …
    The free Veeam Endpoint Backup provides a “System Image” backup that can filter folders and files – very useful for hibernation file, non-volatile data or data backed up by alternative methods.
    Be aware this powerful option is not obvious as the filters exist in the File Backup Options !

    1. Belga said on September 28, 2015 at 4:45 pm
      Reply
  17. Maelish said on September 28, 2015 at 4:10 pm
    Reply

    Has anyone tested the system state backup and restore with success?

  18. yoav said on September 28, 2015 at 3:21 pm
    Reply

    Is it possible to view the file backup directly (see which files are backed up and open them)? I can’t see any information on that on their site.

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on September 28, 2015 at 3:26 pm
      Reply

      This is currently only possible for file/folder backups. The browse option for partition/disk backups is coming according to a note in the program interface.

      1. DonGateley said on September 28, 2015 at 9:31 pm
        Reply

        Oops, show stopper for me until included. Would love to be able to mount backup as a local drive accessible via Explorer.

        One feature I like a lot is the ability to keep a limited number of incremental backups. I’m hoping that Version Chain mode is incremental.

        Thanks, Martin, for this very informative (and for me, timely) article.

      2. yoav said on September 28, 2015 at 8:08 pm
        Reply

        Thanks!

  19. Doc said on September 28, 2015 at 3:01 pm
    Reply

    “Renee Beeca is the world’s…” The screenshots say “Becca,” which makes more sense (as a nickname for “Rebecca.”)

  20. Rikkie said on September 28, 2015 at 2:48 pm
    Reply

    The GUI is looking in some details very much like Acronis True Image home. Same softwarecompany?

  21. ken said on September 28, 2015 at 2:41 pm
    Reply

    “yes, there is a spelling error.” Unfortunately, throughout your article, too. You refer to the product multiple times as “Renee Beeca”. It’s “Renee Becca”.

  22. seeprime said on September 28, 2015 at 2:12 pm
    Reply

    While a nice program with lots of features, I’ll stick with Macrium Reflect, the free version is great while the paid version adds encryption, and Backupper. I’ve used Reflect for years. I might try Renee Becca if some posts appear that state it’s advantages over Reflect or Backupper. Is it faster, for example?

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