You have files that matter, a few different places to keep copies, and no wish to click through the same copy routine every evening. Z-DBackup handles that with saved Backup Sets: you define what to copy and how once, then rerun or schedule it.
Quick facts
- Type: Windows backup software with a freeware edition and paid Workstation and Server licenses
- Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 (workstation); Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016 (server)
- Price: The single Z-DBackup license is listed at 39 EUR; bundles start at 69 EUR (Workstation Compact)
- Freeware terms: free for private use without a time limit; companies can test it for 30 days; on Windows Server the freeware runs for 14 days
Key features
Rerun a whole backup job with one saved Backup Set
Each Backup Set holds the files and folders to include plus options such as password protection and compression. Z-DBackup also has a full command-line interface, so you can call it from scripts and batch files.
Choose between 1:1 copies and compressed archives
You can create 1:1 data copies or compressed backup archives in the ZIP container format. Archives can use AES encryption.
Keep several versions and rotate them automatically
Backup version management lets you go back to yesterday's, last week's or last month's state. It supports rotation schemes such as grandfather-father-son and the weekday scheme. You set how many versions to keep, and old backups are deleted by age or count.
Back up to and from network drives and NAS
Z-DBackup can read from and write to any network drive or NAS. It can disconnect the network drive when the backup finishes, so the backups are not left reachable.
Grow it with add-on modules
The program is modular. Add-ons cover tape backup (Z-TapeBackup), locked files, databases and virtual machines (Z-VSScopy), scheduling (Z-Cron), FTP upload (Z-FTPcopy), CD/DVD/Blu-Ray burning (Z-DataBurn) and cloud upload to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive and HiDrive (Z-CloudBackup). Z-DBackup also has an interface to the Windows Task Scheduler. The Server edition can create incremental system image backups (bare metal).
Who it's for
Home users who want more control than Windows' built-in tools can use the freeware edition for personal backups. Small businesses and administrators can use the licensed Workstation or Server editions, which lift the Backup Set and file-count limits of the free version. If you back up to tape, the Z-TapeBackup add-on and the tape bundles are aimed at you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free for private use, with no time limit
- Many settings for retention, versioning and automation
- Add-ons work on their own or together with Z-DBackup
- Windows 11 and recent Windows Server releases are supported
Cons
- The freeware edition has reduced functionality, including 20 Backup Sets compared with 250 in the license version
- Commercial use needs a license, and the free edition on Windows Server stops after 14 days
- Locked-file backups, tape and some other features need extra modules
- Windows only
FAQs
Is Z-DBackup free?
The freeware edition is free for private use with no time limit. Commercial use requires a license.
Can it back up files that are open?
Yes, with the Z-VSScopy module. It is meant for locked files and exclusively used files, as well as most databases and virtual machines. A freeware version of Z-VSScopy works with the freeware editions.
Does it run on Windows Server?
Yes. A Server license covers Windows Server 2016 to 2025. The freeware runs for only 14 days on server systems.
Can I automate backups?
Yes. You can schedule from inside Z-DBackup, use the Windows Task Scheduler interface or the Z-Cron add-on, or call it from the command line.
System requirements
- Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7 for the Workstation version
- Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019 or 2016 for the Server version