Windows 7 - Macrium image or Windows 7?

So I tested both today--boot disks that I created in Macrium Free, which lets you restore an image created in Macrium, and Windows 7's imaging and boot disk, which lets me restore the image created in Windows 7. They seem to do pretty much the same things. I tested them so that I'd know what to expect if I ever had a real need.

Any thoughts on which of these two is better?

Thanks.

Macrium over win 7 because it is more flexible. there is an even better alternative Acronis which can convert win 7 backups to its own format, and back.

I believe most of the well known paid imaging apps can do that - and a lot more - for example, Paragon are the first to automatically align during image restore and partitioning in their new range.


However, if you are looking for a free app. - macrium is probably the most popular and is a lot more flexible than the inbuilt windows system image.

Use both for extra safety.

Yup, I do use both just to be really safe.

What do you mean that Macrium is more "flexible"?

I'd steer clear of Macrium Free.

I have several partitions which I'd imaged, they all restored without a hitch until it came to restore my c: drive.

I booted to the Recovery CD and the only drives available to me were c: and d: (DVD drive). Erm, my image of c: is (naturally enough) on a different partition (j: to be precise).

I have no idea how to get the recovery CD to "see" the j: drive and posting on several forums for an answer has drawn a deafening silence.

I have both and have used both. Win 7 image and Macrium free.

If for some reason one does not work having an additional option is always a good idea.

Mike

That's one of the reasons I went for Macrium Pro. The Linux boot disk had problems picking up my USB HDD reliably. Switching it off then on and rescanning usually worked. The WinPE disk available only with Pro has no such problems with my setup.

Hi Chuckles,

Sorry to hear you are having problems.

Not clear what you mean .

You say you you imaged and restored several partitions fine.

Then you mention only two drives ( C AND J )

Is the drive that is not visible to macrium boot disc an external HD?

You appear to indicate it is a different partition on the same HD as the drive that can be seen.



Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management window?

I just had a somewhat concerning experience with Macrium an hour ago.

I recently rebuilt my system and now have a Sandy Bridge CPU with Windows 7 64-bit. I downloaded the newest version of Macrium, installed it, and made an image. No problem.

My first attempt at a boot disc did not work. The mouse was not recognized on USB 3.0 ports. I changed to USB 2.0 to get the mouse to work, but still was not able to choose a source partition to restore. The mouse had literally no effect once I got to that screen.

So I made another boot CD, this time using "compatibility mode". This one did not have any mouse support whatsoever, regardless of port.

For the third boot CD, I tried compatibility mode AND debugging. For completely unknown reasons, this one seems to have worked. At least I can boot from it and navigate several steps into the restore process as a test.

I have no idea what is going on, but it didn't inspire any confidence.

So, I will maintain my standard practice---hope imaging works, expect it to fail, and use another method as a fallback position (the free Western Digital edition of Acronis).