BackupOnShutdown is a paid Personal Backup alternative for an end-of-day routine: you start the backup, and the PC shuts down after it succeeds. Personal Backup can also start backups automatically at logoff or a set time, whereas BackupOnShutdown requires its own button or shortcut — shutting down from the Windows Start menu won't trigger it.
How does Personal Backup handle shutdown?
Personal Backup by Dr. Rathlev is a free Windows program with two ways to build this routine. You can configure automatic backups at logon, logoff, or a fixed time, including backups triggered by Windows shutdown. Or you can create a desktop shortcut that backs up and then shuts down, logs off, or hibernates. Its shortcut settings also let you prevent the follow-up action when backup errors occur.
BackupOnShutdown follows the second approach: you deliberately start a backup before turning the PC off. It offers shutdown afterwards, with no scheduling, logon or logoff trigger, or hibernation option. The backup and shutdown guide explains that workflow.
When is Personal Backup the better fit?
Stay with Personal Backup if you want:
- Backups that start automatically at logoff, logon, or a set time.
- A choice of shutdown, logoff, or hibernation after the backup.
- FTP backups as well as local, removable, or network storage.
- A free program.
Personal Backup offers optional AES encryption. BackupOnShutdown's password protection is also optional, and it's off by default. If you enable it, keep the password somewhere safe: a lost password can't be recovered, even by us. Without a password, anyone who has the backup drive can open the files.
When does BackupOnShutdown suit your routine?
BackupOnShutdown fits if you want to choose your folders once and start each day's backup with a button or shortcut. The same folders can go to several locations, such as an external drive and a network folder your PC can already access. See backup locations for setup; FTP and cloud backup services aren't supported.
The default Keep old versions setting is 1 year. The app keeps a selection of older versions rather than every run, and it always keeps the newest backup. You can change the retention setting and restore individual files later, including on another PC. This is file backup; recovering Windows and your installed programs from a disk image requires a separate imaging tool.
How do you start the end-of-day backup?
Click Back up & shut down in the app, or enable Desktop shortcut under Settings → Preferences and click Save. Double-clicking that shortcut starts the backup without the confirmation dialog shown by the app button.
Save your work in other programs first, because Windows forcibly closes them during shutdown and unsaved changes can be lost. If the backup fails, you cancel, or unreadable files are skipped, the PC stays on so you can review the result. Open files are included only when BackupOnShutdown is started as administrator; otherwise they're skipped and listed.
What does it cost to switch?
As of October 2026, BackupOnShutdown costs 39 EUR, 34 GBP, or 39 CHF, paid once, with no subscription. The pricing page shows current prices. Licenses are sold only to customers in the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The free trial works everywhere. One license covers one named person on any number of their own computers, so two people need two licenses. Updates within your license are included; a future major version may be sold separately. Your license stays valid for the last version you're entitled to use.
The free trial lasts 14 days, with no account or credit card. Afterwards, new backups need a license, but restoring files still works. Purchases have a 14-day money-back guarantee: email office@spqrk.net from your checkout address within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. The same address reaches the person who builds the app.
BackupOnShutdown runs on Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit, and on macOS 13 or later with Apple Silicon.
Download BackupOnShutdown to try the routine during the 14-day trial. Keep your existing backups while you test backing up and restoring a few representative files.
Personal Backup is a trademark of its owner. BackupOnShutdown is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.