Macrium Reflect Free vs Windows System Image

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  1. Posts : 513
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #1

    Macrium Reflect Free vs Windows System Image


    I am new to a lot of this so please pardon my lack of knowledge.

    I have been saving system images with whatever program is included in my Windows 7 system.

    I have just downloaded (but not yet installed) Macrium Reflect FREE version 6.2.1549(08-Sep-2016)

    I found out about Macrium here, but the information is for version 5

    Imaging with free Macrium

    What will Macrium do for me that the program I am currently using does not ?

    Can a novice such as I manage to use Macrium successfully ?

    Thanks for reading.
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  2. Posts : 16,119
    7 X64
       #2

    3rd party imaging programs are more flexible, and the images take up less space.

    IMO, the simplest free 3rd party program is Aomei backupper Standard version. It can even restore an image to different hardware.

    Very simple to use. AOMEI Backupper: Data Backup and Restore Software for PC, Laptop and Server
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  3. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #3

    I used to store both Windows inbuilt system images and Macrium images. For at least a year now I just make Macrium images because it is much more flexible and has compression. I still run Macrium V5 on my main PC because it works fine. I have V6 on a newer build and it works fine as well. Macrium is easy to use and they have a decent knowledge base. Here is the user guide for V6.
    Macrium Reflect v6 User Guide - KnowledgeBase - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

    I never had a problem with Windows inbuilt but others have reported problems. So I'd vote for Macrium but store images on 2 drives for security in case one fails.
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  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #4

    BuckSkin said:
    What will Macrium do for me that the program I am currently using does not ?

    Can a novice such as I manage to use Macrium successfully ?
    It will be less confusing to you and give you more direct control over exactly what is backed up.

    Yes, a novice can use Macrium--it has a more understandable interface.

    Windows Backup works OK if you understand and can live within it's limitations.

    You will need to make "recovery" media with Macrium and understand how to use it when a disaster strikes---if you don't, Macrium isn't of much use.

    If you have never actually tried to restore an image, you might be in for an unfortunate surprise, regardless of which program you use.
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  5. Posts : 513
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks, everyone.

    Thanks mjf for the V6 user guide link.

    SIW2, does the AOMEI Backupper also require recovery media as Macrium does ?

    ignatzatsonic said:
    You will need to make "recovery" media with Macrium and understand how to use it when a disaster strikes---if you don't, Macrium isn't of much use.
    Does the Macrium program have a provision to make this recovery media or is it a regular Windows system repair disc or what ?

    If you have never actually tried to restore an image, you might be in for an unfortunate surprise, regardless of which program you use.
    Please expand on this unfortunate surprise business; I need more knots in my stomach.
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  6. Posts : 16,119
    7 X64
       #6

    You can start the restore from within windows. However, it is important to also let it create recovery media - necessary in the event you are unable to boot into windows.

    It creates bootable recovery media for you in a few seconds.

    Macrium Reflect Free vs Windows System Image-aomei-bootmedia.jpg
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  7. Posts : 513
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    SIW2 said:
    You can start the restore from within windows. However, it is important to also let it create recovery media - necessary in the event you are unable to boot into windows.
    Thanks so much.

    Am I correct in assuming that this recovery media need only be created the first time I use the program and that same recovery media will then work on all the system images I may create in the future ?
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  8. Posts : 16,119
    7 X64
       #8

    Yes.
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  9. Posts : 513
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    SIW2 said:
    It creates bootable recovery media for you in a few seconds.
    I have successfully created and stored a system image with the AOMEI Backupper program.

    However, when I created the bootable recovery media onto a DVD, the progress bar went to 99% and stopped; the box has several lines of text, next to last of which says "Please wait while burning disc...", followed by "Note: after completing the bootable disc, if it is unable to boot the computer, you could see FAQ to solve the problem"
    My only option at the bottom of the dialogue is "cancel"
    I could hear the DVD burner winding up and working and it is now silent.

    The dialogue box has sort of whited over and I got a Windows pop-up saying "the program has quit responding" with the three choices, close, ???, and wait.

    Since the progress bar is at 99% and the DVD burner seems to finished, would it be safe to assume that my bootable media disc is good to go ?

    Thanks for reading.

    On EDIT: Update: I went ahead and popped in another disc and had it create again.
    This time, the progress bar stopped at 98% and the DVD tray kicked open.
    Progress stayed at 98% and when I tried to close that window, I got the Windows pop-up again and had to select "close the program" to get it to close; are my experiences typical or do I have something weird going on ?
    Last edited by BuckSkin; 17 Oct 2016 at 04:48.
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  10. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #10

    I don't use Aomei and can't help with it, but...................

    Regardless of the program you use, you need to test the recovery media by confirming that it will in fact boot your PC. If it won't, the recovery disk is useless and you will be dead in the water if your hard drive is also unbootable---as it might well be.

    SIW can likely help you with Aomei--or you can try Macrium.

    If you have a spare hard drive, I'd certainly practice a restore so that so you know what menu choices are offered and which are correct. You don't want to have to learn that after disaster has struck and you've never even attempted a restore. Even if you don't have a spare hard drive, you should pretend your hard drive has failed and walk several steps into the recovery process as a learning experience.
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