Home
Posts

Fabs AutoBackup – The Efficient Windows Backup Migration

Article: Fabs AutoBackup – The Efficient Windows Backup Migration Tool

Introduction

In a digital age where user data—from documents and media to browser favorites and settings—is critical, Fabs AutoBackup offers a simple yet powerful solution. Also known as Fabs Autobackup Plus, this software streamlines backup, restore, and transfer operations on Windows computers, championing efficiency and reliability.

What Is Fabs AutoBackup?

Fabs AutoBackup is a portable Windows utility that lets users select and back up essential data like documents, music, browser profiles, emails, and more using intuitive checkboxes and path fields. It simplifies post-format restoration, system migration, or unbootable system recovery with just a few clicks.

Key Versions and Their Features

1. Fab’s AutoBackup 7 Home Office (~€15)

  • Ideal for individual users at home or small offices.

  • Covers basic backup tasks, such as documents, media files, and email signatures.

2. Fab’s AutoBackup 7 Pro (~€55 for standard, €130 for 3-year license with updates)

  • Designed for professionals and tech repair shops.

  • Allows backup, restore, and direct transfer of multiple user profiles simultaneously—even from unbootable or attached drives.

  • Unique features include:

    • Handling multiple user profiles at once.

    • VSS snapshot support for locked files.

    • Direct disk-to-disk transfers.

    • Bootability via WinPE for system recovery.

Comparison Table: Home vs. Pro

Feature Home Office Pro
Backup of core folders (Documents, Music, etc.)
Multiple user profiles simultaneously
Direct drive-to-drive transfer/unbootable backup
VSS snapshot support (copy locked files) (admin mode only)
WinPE boot media compatibility
Mirror copy, integrity checking, folder date preservation

Data based on feature comparison between versions 6/7 and Pro.

User Experiences Expert Praise

Professional users and tech repair experts have praised Fabs AutoBackup for its simplicity and speed:

“The only tool I can just recommend, it's easy to use, understand... Best $50 I've ever spent.”
— Sky-Knight (Technibble forum) (Technibble)

“Saving all customer data takes only 3 minutes of a technician's attention, with very little risk of missing anything.”
— fincoder (Technibble)

Further review highlights its low cost and reliability:

"A fabulous program to use! Its low cost, time-saving ability, and reliability make it a program that every computer shop owner should have.”
— Tech For Techs review (Tech For Techs)

Real-World Use Cases

  • Client Data Migration: Backup user profiles, then restore or transfer to a new machine—even using a WinPE boot disk or attached drive (Technibble, Fab's).

  • Repair Shops: Save technician time by backing up multiple profiles quickly without manual dragging and dropping.

  • Preventing Oversights: Unlike manual profile migration, Fabs ensures key profile elements (like bookmarks, wallpapers, Outlook addresses) are captured.

Handling Odd Cases Redirected Folders

Fabs addresses non-standard folder configurations gracefully:

When users redirect core folders (e.g., Documents relocated to D:), Fabs backs up both the original and relocated content. Files in the old location are placed in an @recovered folder in the restored directory, avoiding overwrites or confusion, while keeping the process transparent to the technician.

Performance and Best Practices

Some users reported slow backup speeds for browser files, but developer recommendations include:

  • Ensure you're on version 7.5.0.3327 or newer for optimizations.

  • Use the “exclude local browser cache” option to avoid copying thousands of small, redundant files.

  • Performance depends on drive health, USB vs. network speed, antivirus interference, and system RAM.

Plus, Fabs' changelog notes improvements on Chrome cache skipping to boost speed.

Pricing Overview

  • Home Office version: around €15 — affordable for casual users.

  • 7 Pro version: starting ~€55.

  • 3-year Pro license: €130 including updates—unlimited use by technicians on unlimited PCs.

After three years, the software continues to work but won't receive updates unless renewed (Fab's).

Pros and Cons

** Pros**

  • Extremely user-friendly and portable (no install required)

  • Saves time—especially valuable for tech repair workflows

  • Comprehensive backup options: documents, media, profiles, settings, browser favorites, Outlook items, system configurations, etc.

  • Handles unbootable drives and multiple user profiles at once (Pro version)

  • Efficient handling of redirected folders and locked files via VSS

  • Fair pricing with generous licensing terms

  • Excellent developer support and forum engagement

** Cons**

  • Initial setup requires checking desired items—defaults may not cover all needed files unless manually selected

  • Performance may be slow when dealing with browser cache or failing drives, requiring optimization

  • Some browser profile components (e.g. non-IE browsers) may require manual inclusion depending on version—though support is expanding

Conclusion

Fabs AutoBackup (including branded terms like Fabs Autobackup Plus) stands out as a reliable, efficient, and affordable Windows backup solution. Whether you're a home user safeguarding precious data or a technician managing dozens of PCs, its intuitive design, advanced features, and strong support ecosystem make it an invaluable tool.

-->