New free imaging program

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  1. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #1

    New free imaging program


    Aomei just released a new freebie. It is intended for users who just want a one click backup/recovery solution. Free for all uses, works on server os too.

    It is aimed at those who want something very simple.

    It makes a recovery partition and creates an entire system backup on there. You access that either from winpe it creates, or by pressing f11 after post ( on mbr ), or by the boot shell on uefi systems.

    Just had a look and it does what it says on the tin. Similar to oem recovery partition in concept. You can replace the image with a new one when you like, but you do that manually.

    Might be useful if you know people who want something straightforward like that. The image format is the same as used by their regular Aomei Backupper.

    I think they would be better having it on a hidden f key.

    You can give it a whirl:

    One Key Recovery - Create a Factory Restore Partition with AOMEI OneKey Recovery
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  2. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #2

    Need to test this, looks promising. Thanks for the tip Siw!
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  3. GSL
    Posts : 2
    Windows 7 x86
       #3

    I has tested it out and liked that it automatically calculate and create a partition designated as recovery partition from the C: drive(No need to manually create a partition to set up as recovery) & it's extremely simply to use.

    Unfortunately the Recovery partition can be deleted by a user via disk management as it is not a true recovery partition where the software should set it as an NTFS type 0x27 partition. I examined the MBR and found that it's using Grub4dos to call its winpe.iso in order for it to boot into recovery environment.

    The system image is compressed and stored in a single .adi format(Did a lookup and this file is associated with active@disk image).
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  4. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I would say fortunately, the recov partition is hidden from the average user. Slightly above beginners can access it easily if they want by simply adding a drive letter.

    .adi is aomei backupper format. Perhaps a different program also has similar extension.

    It has been deliberately done that way. Their other product, Aomei Backupper can use the .adi image, if you wish.
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  5. Posts : 1,397
    Win 10 Pro 64
       #5

    Thanks, I will have to try this.
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  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    It makes a recovery partition and creates an entire system backup on there
    What happens if there are already 4 primary partitions in NTFS - as on many OEM systems off the shelf.
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  7. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    It makes a logical partition.

    It shows what it is planning to do.

    Anything that creates a recov partition would have to do it that way.


    Step 3: In this window, the program will show you the changes before and after making a new factory recovery partition, which is labeled with "+" and "AOMEI Recovery Partition". In order to prevent it from being damaged, it will be made as a hidden partition by default. To confirm the changes, please click "Start Backup" to continue.
    It is only intended as a very simple solution. My grandma likes it. I would use Aomei Backupper, but some prefer this.


    Tips:

    If you not only want to backup your system but your entire hard disk, specified partition, or individual files and folders, you can use the complete backup software - AOMEI Backupper, which also supports backing up to external hard disk, USB flash drive, CD/DVD, shared Network or NAS. It is the best and safest way to protect your system and data from losing.
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  8. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #8

    Hi there

    NO NO NO !!!!!! IMO not really worth the bother -- Imagine your whole HDD had gone south -- it requires use of the Windows boot menu (not available if HDD completetly "Kaput").

    I prefer a STAND ALONE recovery program that I can boot from an external device. This program requires that the HDD in the computer is working to the extent that when F11 is pressed there's data on the HDD. If I totally reformat an HDD then there's no data for F11 to operate on.

    This one is TOO limited to be of serious use at all. Have a look at the screenshot - it requires some sort of Windows to be working to use it.

    I've seen users accidentally get their systems totally in a mess by accidentally pressing these recovery keys at system boot time --it's easier to do than you think.

    Most people don't have trouble inserting a small USB stick into a machine and booting from it -- a MUCH SAFER way actually. My advice is DON'T USE. (Nothing against the corporation providing the software - just IMO the way that it's designed to be used will lead to a lot of tears).

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails New free imaging program-nonono.png  
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  9. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #9

    It makes a logical partition.

    Even with a logical partition you can be in trouble. If you add a logical partition (extended partition) to 4 primary partitions in NTFS, you end up with 5 dynamic partitions.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 31,242
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       #10

    I can see benefits for certain users I deal with - Function focused users is how I would classify them - those users that have a desktop or laptop that they treat as a tool to do a few or even one particular job.

    These users have little general computer knowledge, and to be honest, have no interest, (and never will have) in the technical side of computers, they are interested in just getting work or leisure activities done

    Some of these users would not even know what to do with a usb stick, I can remember true incidents where users with under desk located towers were under the impression that the CD drawer was a drinks holder, It was quite amusing when a change to the way systems worked set an auto retract timer as default and a lot of hot drinks ended on the floor.

    This may seem like an anathemer to some of us here, but these users are actually the majority of users out in the wild, we as Technical users, either professionally or as the family "Go To Guy" need to consider their needs not ours.

    Have used the likes of Acronis to add this type of One Click recovery to user systems in the past, the option for a simple Manual refresh of the system data leads to further possibilities for a User proof system if it is possible to run the creation of image without user interaction a weekly system task could automatically keep the data on the recovery partition current. I take Jimbo's point of the issue of accidental initialisation of the recovery operation and would like to see an option to set the hot key to something more obscure than F11 (Eg, Ctrl-Shift R)

    all in all an interesting an interesting possible option.

    Another possible benefit is to replace the OEM bloated factory restore, which so many users currently rely on, with a streamlined clean install :)
      My Computers


 
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