Restore under Free Macrium - To a different HDD?

So far as I know, I created a valid Macrium free image of my OS which sits on my 750 Gb HDD. (hopefully I will never have to use it.)

As part of this general task-set (getting my "recovery house" in order), I decided that I would resize the OS drive downwards and I created Macrium free images of the OS both before shrinking operation and afterwards.

Sitting on the shelf (but attachable via usb, for instance) was another HDD (2 TB), onto which several months ago I had cloned the OS of the 750 Gb drive. I decided to resize its OS similarly (so that the OS partitions on the two HDD's are essentially the same size), and have done so (having likewise made "safety" Macrium free images of the "2 TB OS" both before and after the resizing).

I further figured while I was at it, that I might as well replace the OS on the 2 TB drive, with the Macrium free image I had made for the 750 Gb HDD. (Which is why I called the 2 Macrium images made of the 2 TB HDD's OS only temporary or "safety images" -- since they were to be discarded once the OS for the 750 GB had replaced the 2 TB's OS).

Not only would that operation render the "on the shelf Clone" much more "current", but it would be a test of how good & unproblematic the Macrium image-and-restore process was. See, my post at Two "Shrink" questions

HOWEVER, whether I accessed the restore features of the Macrium free program under Windows (running on the 750 GB drive), or via the Macrium free rescue boot CD -- once I chose to apply the disc image created of the OS on the750 GB drive, the program would allow me to apply/restore it only to that 750 GB drive itself (and only to the partition which Macrium had imaged on that HDD). No "drive-changing" options appeared on the "select image" window, nor did any options appear on the following window, where one is to select the drive to restore to.

I assume that this is all normal and regular, but I hadn't read of any such limitation in the several posts which I perused on Macrium, both here and on the Macrium website.

WHEREFORE, the Questions:

1. Is this normal and regular under Macrium Free?
2. Is this different under Macrium retail? I.e., can I apply the image created of the 750's OS, to the OS partition on the 2 TB Drive if I purchase the full blown retail version of Macrium?
3. If I should be able to achieve the desired result [(2), above] using Macrium Free (i.e., if the answer to (1), above is "No"), does anyone have any suggestions/comments?
4. If the answers to (1) and (2), above are "No", what's the best (and cheapest way) to achieve the desired result?

Thanks much.

SIW2 said:

Not sure what you are asking.

I have no trouble restoring a macrium image with the free version to any HD , or any partition I choose.

(A) You are saying that you have no difficulty in restoring any Macrium free image to any HD or any partition (assuming that the target partition is at least as large as the image)?

(B) If so, then your answer to my question (1), above, is "no".

(C) I really don't believe I can be more explicit or clearer in expressing what my question/situation is, unfortunately.

(D) UPDATE: The two following links (from Macrium the forum) seem to clearly state that the desired result is achievable using Macrium retail, but they likewise seem to suggest that it is not available in Macrium free.

Macrium Support Forum - restore image to a larger drive

Macrium Reflect - Blogs and News

(E) If your answer to my question (A), above, is "Yes", do you or does anyone else have any sugggestions as to what I might do (e.g., to duplicate those capabilities)?

Thanks again.

See the screenshots in my previous post.

It's very easy - that is why not sure what you are asking.

Unless there is an issue with a drive, so that macrium can't even see it ?

I believe there is a problem picking up some usb3.0 drives - but that is the restore disc - not the installed program.

Did you get to the 3rd screen above?


NOTE:

1. You do need to restore the partitions one at a time - if you are doing several.

2. Restore to a smaller partition is possible ( takes a while tho ) by using their free Roborestore

SIW2 said:

See the screenshots - it's very easy - that is why not sure what you are asking.

Unless there is an issue with a drive, so that macrium can't even see it ?

I believe there is a problem picking up some usb3.0 drives - but that is the restore disc - not the installed program.

I do not see any screenshots in your post.

Here are the relevant screenshots, from my end:





I just now see your screenshots and will consider and comment on them presently. Thanks.

What a dolt am I!

I should have gone one more step! I was afraid to, 'cause it appeared to me as if that would over-write my operating OS - or try to at least.

Problem solved (or should be soon, eh?)

Thanks!

You're not the first person to do that - I am sure.:)

The wording could be better - if you only have one partition in the image - then "Select the partition you want to restore " ( in your 3rd screenie ) could lead you to think it meant restore to

SIW2 said:

* * *

The wording could be better [emph. added] - if you only have one partition in the image - then "Select the partition you want to restore " ( in your 3rd screenie ) could lead you to think it meant restore to

Exactly.

Thanks again. And fingers crossed, all will go well, and when I temporarily swap out the usb-attached 2 TB drive for the 750 GB drive to test whether it actually has gone well, I will be a happy camper.

Again, thanks.

Let us know how it goes.:)