saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

backup tool · Veeam Software

Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows FREE

Free image and file backup for Windows PCs from a business backup vendor, with recovery media and bare-metal restore.

77/100

#6 of 9 backup tools
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Veeam Agent FREE suits people who want scheduled image backups at no cost and back up to a USB drive or NAS1,8. It restores a whole system with bare-metal recovery, even on new hardware11. The catch: the Free edition allows one backup job and no cloud or object storage, which is also where Veeam's immutable backups live3,10.

Best for: People who want free, scheduled image backups to a USB drive or NAS.

Where the points come from

What it backs up30 of 30
Where backups go10 of 20
Safety and recovery12 of 25
Price25 of 25

What it backs up 30 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Full system imageYesEntire computer mode backs up the full computer image4.8 / 8
File and folder backupYesFile level backup covers chosen folders, with include and exclude rules4.4 / 4
Incremental backupsYesAfter the first full backup, each session copies only new or changed data5.6 / 6
Scheduled backupsYesDaily schedules plus lock, log off and backup-target-connected triggers in the Free edition6.4 / 4
Bootable rescue mediaYesBoot from Veeam Recovery Media to restore when the PC stops working7,1.8 / 8

Where backups go 10 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
DestinationsLocal or USB drive, Network share or NASLocal storage and shared folders; object storage and Cloud Connect are not available in the Free edition8.10 / 20

Safety and recovery 12 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Encrypted backupsNot publishedBackups can be encrypted with a password you set9; the cipher is not published in the current guide.0 / 7
Backups shielded from ransomwareNoImmutability works only on object storage, which the Free edition lacks10,3; it can only eject a USB drive after backup6.0 / 6
Restore to different hardwareYesBare-metal recovery restores the entire system on new or existing hardware11.6 / 6
Versions and retention rulesYesShort-term retention keeps restore points for a set number of days12; only GFS retention is excluded from Free3.6 / 6

Price 25 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free editionYesThe Free edition needs no licence and protects Windows desktops and laptops1,2.10 / 10
First-year price, one PC$0The Free edition costs nothing1,2.8 / 8
One-time licenceYesEntirely free; no subscription is needed1,2.7 / 7

The rule behind each line: how we score backup tools.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
FreeWindows desktops, laptops and tabletsFree1,2,3$0No licence needed; one backup job

Strengths

  • Free, with no licence to install2.
  • Backs up the entire computer, chosen volumes or chosen folders4.
  • Bare-metal recovery restores the whole system on new or existing hardware11.
  • Backups can start when you lock the PC, log off or connect the backup drive6.
  • Short-term retention keeps restore points for a number of days you choose12.

Limits

  • Only one backup job to a local drive, shared folder or Veeam repository in the Free edition3.
  • No object storage or cloud destination in the Free edition8.
  • Immutable backups need object storage, which the Free edition cannot use3,10.
  • The user guide does not name the encryption cipher9.

What Veeam Software says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • Veeam says the Free edition is built on the same technology as Veeam Backup & Replication1.

Other backup tools

  1. 1
    EaseUS Todo BackupHome users who want a free edition with schedules and encryption
    100/100
    $39.95/yrfirst-year price, one PC
  2. 2
    DuplicatiPeople who want free encrypted backups to cloud storage they already pay for
    86/100
    $24/yrfirst-year price, one PC
  3. 3
    Paragon Backup & Recovery Community EditionHome users who want a free system image backup to a local or external drive
    84/100
    $19.95/yrfirst-year price, one PC
  4. 4
    IDriveHouseholds backing up several PCs who also want a full system image
    82/100
    $3/yrfirst-year price, one PC

All 9 backup tools

Sources

  1. Free Windows Backup Solution for PCs and Endpoints, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Licensing - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Product Editions - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Step 3. Select Backup Mode - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Backup Chain - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Scheduling Settings in Free and Workstation Editions - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Creating Veeam Recovery Media - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Step 5. Select Backup Destination - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Data Encryption - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Backup Immutability - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. How to Perform Bare Metal Recovery - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Short-Term Retention Policy - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide, Veeam. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.veeam.com/products/free/microsoft-windows.html · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Veeam Software.