Download Bart – Free Windows Backup & Cloud Storage

Overview

Bart is a lightweight, free program for Windows that belongs to the Backup & Cloud Storage category. Developed by Zhorn Software, Bart’s primary mission is to give everyday users a simple, secure way to back up important files without the complexity of enterprise‑grade solutions. First published on Softonic on February 21 2020, Bart has remained a niche but steadily appreciated utility for Windows 10 and newer systems. The current stable release, version 3.1, ships in English only and focuses on a no‑frills interface that lets you select folders, schedule backups, and store copies on local drives or any attached cloud service that appears as a mapped drive. Because it’s completely free, Bart appeals to students, freelancers, and small‑business owners who need a reliable safety net for documents, photos, and project files. While the software hasn’t been subject to an extensive professional review yet, its minimalist design and straightforward feature set make it an interesting candidate for anyone looking to add an extra layer of protection to their Windows workstation without spending a dime.

Key Features, Pros & Cons

• Simple folder‑based backup selection – choose any directory with a few clicks.
• Automatic scheduling – daily, weekly, or monthly backup cycles.
• Support for local drives, external USB sticks, and mapped network/cloud locations.
• Incremental backup mode to save space and reduce copy time.
• Built‑in compression to shrink backup size without sacrificing data integrity.
• Real‑time status notifications in the Windows system tray.
• Zero‑cost licensing – completely free for personal and commercial use.
• English‑only interface, keeping the UI uncluttered and easy to navigate.

Pros

• Free and fully functional – no hidden fees or premium tiers.
• Lightweight footprint – consumes minimal CPU and RAM during operation.
• User‑friendly layout – ideal for users with limited technical expertise.
• Incremental backups keep storage requirements low.
• Works with any mapped cloud storage – flexible enough for OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Cons

• Only available in English, limiting accessibility for non‑English speakers.
• Lacks advanced encryption options for highly sensitive data.
• No built‑in cloud sync; relies on external services being mounted as drives.
• Limited reporting – no detailed logs or analytics dashboard.
• No mobile companion app for remote monitoring.

Installation, First‑Time Setup & Compatibility

System Requirements (itemprop="operatingSystem"): Windows 10 or later (64‑bit recommended). The installer is a standard .exe file that runs on any modern Windows environment with administrator privileges for initial setup.

Step‑by‑Step Installation

1. Visit the official Zhorn Software download page or a trusted source such as Softonic.
2. Click the “Download Bart” button; the file BartSetup.exe (≈ 4 MB) will be saved to your Downloads folder.
3. Locate the installer, right‑click, and choose “Run as administrator”. This ensures the program can create scheduled tasks and write to protected directories.
4. Follow the on‑screen wizard: accept the EULA, choose an installation folder (default C:\Program Files\Bart is fine), and click “Install”.
5. When installation completes, click “Finish”. Bart will launch automatically and appear as an icon in the system tray.

First‑Time Configuration

Upon first launch, Bart presents a welcome wizard. The wizard walks you through three essential steps:

• Select backup sources: Click “Add Folder” and browse to the directories you want to protect (e.g., Documents, Pictures, project folders).
• Choose a destination: You can point Bart to an external drive, a network share, or a mapped cloud drive (e.g., Z:\OneDriveBackup).
• Set a schedule: Pick a frequency—daily at 2 AM, weekly on Sundays, or a custom interval. Bart will automatically create a Windows Task Scheduler entry to run the backup in the background.

After confirming the settings, click “Start Backup”. Bart will perform an initial full backup, then switch to incremental mode for subsequent runs. You can monitor progress via the system‑tray icon, which shows real‑time percentages and any error messages.

Updating the Application

Bart does not include an automatic updater, but the developer releases new versions on the official website. To stay current, periodically check the download page for a newer .exe installer. The upgrade process is straightforward: download the latest installer and run it; the installer will detect the existing version and replace the core files while preserving your backup configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bart truly free for commercial use?

Yes. Bart is released under a free‑to‑use license that permits both personal and commercial deployment without any hidden fees or mandatory upgrades.

Can I encrypt my backups with Bart?

Bart does not include built‑in encryption. If you need encrypted archives, you can run a third‑party tool (e.g., VeraCrypt) on the backup folder after Bart finishes copying files.

Does Bart support versioning of backed‑up files?

Bart keeps the most recent version of each file in the destination folder. It does not retain multiple historical versions, so for versioning you would need to combine Bart with a cloud service that offers file history.

How much disk space does Bart require for installation?

The installer is under 5 MB, and the application itself uses roughly 30 MB of disk space after installation. Backup data size depends entirely on the files you select.

Can I pause or cancel a backup in progress?

Yes. Right‑click the Bart icon in the system tray and choose “Pause” or “Cancel”. Paused backups can be resumed later, while canceling will stop the current operation and keep already‑copied files.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Overall, Bart delivers a surprisingly robust set of backup capabilities for a tool that costs nothing. Its clean interface, incremental backup engine, and compatibility with any mapped cloud storage make it an excellent starter solution for Windows users who want to protect their data without diving into complex enterprise suites. While the lack of built‑in encryption and limited reporting may steer power users toward more feature‑rich alternatives, the trade‑off of zero cost and simplicity is compelling for students, freelancers, and small offices.

If you’re ready to add a safety net to your Windows 10 or newer PC, download Bart today and follow the quick installation steps outlined above. Set up your first backup within minutes, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your critical files are safely duplicated on a secondary drive or cloud location. Remember to check back for updates, and feel free to leave a rating or comment on Softonic to help the community decide whether Bart fits their backup strategy.

Click here to download Bart for free and start safeguarding your data now.