iDrive Online Backup Review

Installation:
It is pretty easy to get started. The only issue I had with the installation was accidentally selecting the install for Mac instead of PC. If you make the wrong operating system it will make you sign up again to change the selection. This process can be confusing and should be fixed. But, if you make the right selection the first time, it will work out fine.

Configuration:
The software is better than other backup software in terms of functionality. I was simply relieved to see options like auto throttle, scheduled backup and more. A great design feature is that they simplify the backup and restore process. The opening tab is the selection for backup and there is an obvious tab for restoring which makes understanding the process easy for everyone.

The software allows the user to feel in control. For the most part it's not too technical. If you view the error log, for instance, it will read in a way that anyone can understand. So, if you take the time to figure out what you need, the software is a great tool.

Data Backup Process
IDrive’s backup is simple for users who have worked with folder hierarchy. It looks like Windows XP’s Windows Explorer or Mac’s Finder when you are browsing through documents. The only issue that some people may have would be trying to search for files. This process could be easier, but it’s still works well for me.

The options are great for backing up. They include scheduled backup, continuous backup, and backup now. In the options you can select daily, weekly or monthly backups with notifications on your computer or sent to your email when a backup has been started or if an error occurred.

Also, if you go into advanced settings there are more selections to make the backup run smoother. This is not the case for many other online backup applications.

Data Restore Process
Restoring files is just as easy as backing them up. It follows the same folder structure and allows for easy access. Depending on your Internet speed it can be fast or slow. Ours is pretty fast so there was not an issue.

One option that is really nice is the “Open IDrive Exporer” option in the tools menu. This lets you download a plugin from IDrive that enable a mode that looks just like a Windows Explorer window. This allows you to operate with an interface that is familiar looking like the rest of the your computer folders and files. Once installed and restarted, the plugin allows you to drag-and-drop files from your IDrive online backup to your computer.

Accessibility
when you go to their website, sign in and you will see your files. It’s really easy to retrieve your files online. The mobile apps are good. You can use your existing account to backup your phone’s Contacts or Photos. There is not a way to see other files from your computer or other devices. It’s good for backing up your phone but does little in terms of accessing your computer files from your phone.

File Versioning
IDrive handles file versioning very well. It’s done in a time line fashion. You can select up to 30 different forms of the same file. Or you can view your backed up files per backup by selecting “Timeline Restore”. This is helpful in determining at what time you backed up a file.

Conclusion
If your looking for more control over your backup and like knowing support is easily accessible then IDrive is a great choice. It’s better at functionality and setting control than it is at cloud storage or syncing.