Compatibility of different versions of Macrium Reflect

[rdy]

I have made some system images with free Macrium v5.3, I'm considering installing v6 and using it for further imaging. Question: Will I be able to use v6 to restore with image made with v5.3? Conversly, can I use v5.3 to restore with a v6 image. I think the answers are yes and no. But maybe someone knows for sure. Thanks.
(1st time ANY forum. Forgive mistakes)

 

[Snick]

Hi rdy,

Welcome to SevenForums!

All software engineers and programmers, to the extent possible, create new whatever backward compatible at least one iteration.
Being that Macrium has not altered there compression algorithms that I am aware of, logical answer is YES.
I use AOMEI, also recommended highly here on SevenForums. YES, to the question here, so Macrium, YES!

 

[RolandJS]

Will I be able to use v6 to restore with an image made with v5.3? Short answer: yes
Conversely, can I use v5.3 to restore with a v6 image? Short answer: no
I've been using both Macrium Reflect versions 5 - 7 over the years, and Image For Windows over the years. I found it best to do this: as soon as one updates a current version, for example, 3.2 to 3.3,
immediately make the USB and DVD boots - so that said external boots match the updated version.
The same idea concerning upgrades, for example from version 2 to version 3, definitely make the USB & DVD boots.

 

[LMiller7]

The ability of a backup product to be able to restore old backups is a very important feature. If this were not possible a user could not update the software without loosing access to existing backups, a very bad situation. Such a product would not be well received in the marketplace.

The ability of a program to restore newer backups is a nice feature but not particularly important. It would be supported unless something like a new compression system was introduced. You can always update the software to the latest version.

 

[RolandJS]

...The ability of a program to restore newer backups is a nice feature but not particularly important. It would be supported unless something like a new compression system was introduced. You can always update the software to the latest version.

I found out, almost the hard way, that Image for Windows is definitely difficult in trying to get an older version to restore a newer version's backup.
I thought MR7 was pretty much as cranky. That difficulty led me to immediately make DVD and USB boots right after installing updates to MR and IFW. Others places said an older MR can restore a newer MR's image -- probably within version updates.