Clonezilla Open-Source Image Backup

[MPREv]

The first selection on the screen shot of step 14 saves the entire hard drive as an image. It then restores all of the partitions contained in the image created.

Yes but why I should save the whole hard disk instead of only 10% of it.
That would be a waste of space and time.
The described approach should save time and space.

There is a lot involved in setting up an OS that normal copy cannot do. Normal file copy cannot access system files (in the same way some defraggers cannot move system files) in order to move, or save, or restore them. It cannot set up the system registry. That is why backup and image software is necessary.

Yes, but copying a non active System does not restrict the access to the files as the live system does not care about the "type" of files. In the same way live systems can easily defrag other systems partition without restrictions.

 

[iseeuu]

The first selection on the screen shot of step 14 saves the entire hard drive as an image. It then restores all of the partitions contained in the image created.

Yes but why I should save the whole hard disk instead of only 10% of it.
That would be a waste of space and time.
The described approach should save time and space.

In describing the outcome of my test situation, here is what I reported: "Clonezilla saved my 12.5GB Windows partition to 6.78GB and the 105MB boot partition to 9.75MB."

Clonezilla does not save empty space. It saves the data as an image. I suggest you try it to see what size image is actually created from all the data on your hard drive?

There is a lot involved in setting up an OS that normal copy cannot do. Normal file copy cannot access system files (in the same way some defraggers cannot move system files) in order to move, or save, or restore them. It cannot set up the system registry. That is why backup and image software is necessary.

Yes, but copying a non active System does not restrict the access to the files as the live system does not care about the "type" of files. In the same way live systems can easily defrag other systems partition without restrictions.

Then try it and see how it works?

Let us know what happens!

Cheers!
Robert

 

[MPREv]

In describing the outcome of my test situation, here is what I reported: "Clonezilla saved my 12.5GB Windows partition to 6.78GB and the 105MB boot partition to 9.75MB."

Hmm, but this ist still not a full HDD image.
You would have to create the adequate partitions to restore the images of each partition, if you formated the whole hard drive to other sizes partitions.
That is what I'm ponting at.

Clonezilla does not save empty space. It saves the data as an image. I suggest you try it to see what size image is actually created from all the data on your hard drive?

But there is no "emty" space. Just space I don't want to save in an image.

 

[Recusant]

I just used this for the first time last night, what a life-saver. Easier to use than i first thought when i started it up.

Great, great program. Kinda funny it runs on Linux

 

[Tango1]

I am new to cloning drives and am a bit confused.

My current SSD is 120Gb with no partitions and has a freshly Windows7 installed.

If I use Clonezilla to clone this Windows 7 installation, I would only get the option to image the entire drive or partitions on it this drive right? But in my case the 120Gb disk has no partitions. So if I use Clonezilla it will copy also the 113Gb empty space but only save the data-part (windows installation) to the result image, which would roughly be 13Gb. Am I right?. So I could cram this "120Gb image"to a 16Gb usb-stick for backup. Is this correct?

Second question: If I were to restore the image to the same 120 Gb drive again there would be no problem whatever the case (no brainer). I understand. But what if I should decide to put this image back not to my current 120Gb drive but to a smaller 64Gb SSD. (because I want to clone my current Windows7 installation on this 120Gb SSD, to a smaller 64Gb SSD), Will the image restore fail?

I just want Clonezilla to image my Windows 7 installation part of my current 120 SSD. Which is about 13Gb, not the whole SSD disk of 120Gb including 117Gb empty space. What should I do.

I don't like to make partitions btw (I will if I have to though) because I have never done this before. Afraid it could split data between partitions in the process (don't know if that is possible at all but just precautious before someone says duh ofcourse it does split the data you are spliiting the drive are you not and data can be scattered across the disk!).

Thanks.

 

[Delta 7]

CLon eZilla

What is the file extension for images backup off of clonezilla.

 

[YmodemYNot]

Good to know Clonezilla can backup and restore Windows 7. I have always used Clonezilla for my Linux systems and Acronis for Windows - I would prefer to have one drive imaging tool to rule them all so I will have to try Clonezilla on Windows 8/10 sometime.

 

[RoWin7]

Poor Delta7, never got his/her reply.

I just came upon this. Does anyone know if Clonezilla has any advantage over Macrium, which I've been for a long time??

 

[YmodemYNot]

Clonezilla can backup and restore Linux. Macrium doesn't, I tried. Neither does R-Drive, Aomei or Paragon. Supposedly latest version of Acronis can backup and restore Linux, I haven't tried.

 

[rocketman122]

I got lost with how to use clonezilla to clone my c ssd drive to a 2nd drive so I can swap and continue if it goes bad. but I cant understand why it doesnt install on the C drive and why I need to burn on a disc?
I have no idea regarding installing on a usb. it just seems like many steps and some I have no idea what to do.

is there a more simpler program to clone my C ssd drive to another ssd drive?

 

[file3456]

Posed question here: having an error with fufus to write clonezilla (syslinux 6.04 pre1)

To answer your question. If it's just Windows with no encryption, then AOMEI Backupper or something comparable will do. You can create a Linux based AOMEI Backupper USB stick and use that. I had the most success with the Linux version over the Windows PE version AOMEI offers. I use AOMEI Backupper to clone my Dell Mini 910 Netboook to another USB drive. I literary boot a USB drive and clone to another USB drive. LOL And I've successfully cloned the backup clone back to a new flash drive in the Dell Mini 910 Netbook.

Full disclosure though, AOMEI Backupper is Chinese made software (scroll all the way to the bottom for contact.), and if you're like me and countless other that don't trust that government (or Russia's for that matter) you might be a little leary on what the program does. I can tell you I've not seen any shenanigans with the version I have installed. I do run a tight ship and monitor the network. All downloads are scanned at VirusTotal. I also scan the whole hard drive for hidden files, alternative data streams, hooks and other stuff most people don't even do let alone know about. In a nutshell.. I haven't detected any type of reverse shell or something like that.... LOL

Addendum-

Well, looking at the website further they have four other domains, three related to the AOMEI product and one hosting porn. LOL! Not bad though...

Never mind. Did some more research to be sure. It appears through my research with the Wayback Machine and DNS history that AOMEI at one time used to own the domain that now has porn. It appears they no longer own that domain.