Disk Imaging Software Creating Browsable Image

Carob said:

I agree. But you still need Macrium installed to open the cloned file. The "Explore Image" option, which is what I believe you are referring to, only appears if Macrium is installed. I tried this the other day.

I've been using Macrium Reflect for years so I know what I'm talking about. I've made numerous clones and even more images so I know darned well a clone is not the same as an image. They are two separate things. What is it going to take to get that across to you?

Carob said:

...I'm looking to clone or image a drive to a file that can be stored anywhere.

Ok, that clarifies things a bit. You do not clone to a file. A clone is an exact copy of something. If you clone a drive, then you will have a duplicate drive. If the drive you want to keep the data on is large enough, you could partition it and clone the first drive to that partition but I don't know why you would want to do that.

You do image to a file (actually, an image is a file). An image will always require the software that created it to be able to browse it.

Exactly what is it you are trying to accomplish? A backup of a computer? Making data on a computer accessible to a server so other computers can also access it? What kind of data are you talking about? Data, such as documents, photos, music, videos, etc. or System files (OS and programs)?

Not sure you will get what you want.

1. If you do a clone, there is no "file" to open. It is a copy onto to hard drive.

2. If you make an image file, then software is required to mount/view it.

Carob said:

Exactly. Everything I know about requires the software that created the image and/or clone to open/view the image/clone. I'm looking for something that doesn't require that. Something that can be open/viewed directly within Windows. A vhd is a possibility but it's a bit klunky to get mounted. And the people requiring this will not want to do that. Not looking for a backup solution.

I give up. You simply refuse to pay attention.

LadyF, it may not be that the OP is refusing to pay attention; I believe it is much more that OP's clients or fellow office folks are refusing to learn something new, to learn something that which is required to meet most but certainly not all of their demands.

RolandJS said:

LadyF, it may not be that the OP is refusing to pay attention; I believe it is much more that OP's clients or fellow office folks are refusing to learn something new, to learn something that which is required to meet most but certainly not all of their demands.

No, the OP doesn't understand the difference between clones and images and will not or cannot accept our explanations. S/he keeps insisting that a clone is a file and that one needs to use MR to browse a clone despite us repeatedly explaining that a clone is not a file and does not require MR to browse it. Also, the OP has yet to give us a clear explanation of what s/he is trying to do, despite my asking for clarification.I don't know if there is a language barrier or the OP is just being stubborn. Either way, I've given up.