Disk Imaging Software Creating Browsable Image

[Carob]

Hello.

I'm looking for an imaging tool that will create an image that can be browsed within Windows on different computers without any additional software (an .iso would be tolerable) but I can't seem to find anything. In other words, let's say the image would be stored on a server and accessible from other machines. Does such a thing still exist?

Must be an image or clone and not just a straight data transfer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[fireberd]

Not sure what you are talking about, creating a "data" CD or some file for a server?

Most CD burning programs and a CD-R, not a CD-RW, that will create a "data" disc will do the job.

The free CDBurnerXP will do the job.
CDBurnerXP: Free CD and DVD burning software

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Carob If I'm understanding you correctly, what you would need would be a clone. An image would require the software that created the image to be able to browse it. An clone is an exact copy of the original drive and, in the case of System files (OS and programs), is bootable, unlike the results of copy and paste. Since a clone is an exact copy of the drive (or partition), you will be able to browse it.

For cloning, I recommend Macrium Reflect Free.

 

[Carob]

Macrium requires their software to open and browse the file. I am looking for an image or clone file that doesn't require any additional software as noted.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Macrium requires their software to open and browse the file. I am looking for an image or clone file that doesn't require any additional software as noted.

Sigh! You aren't paying attention. Once a clone is made, you do NOT need to any additional software to browse it.

 

[mjf]

Hello.

I'm looking for an imaging tool that will create an image that can be browsed within Windows on different computers without any additional software

Yes you can do this but...
I'm not sure what "without any additional software" means. I'm also not sure of your intent.

 

[Carob]

Sigh! You aren't paying attention. Once a clone is made, you do NOT need to any additional software to browse it.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I use Macrium from time to time and in order to view the image that gets created you must use the Macrium software to open it and view it. You DO need additional software. That software is Macrium.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I know exactly what you're talking about. I use Macrium from time to time and in order to view the image that gets created you must use the Macrium software to open it and view it. You DO need additional software. That software is Macrium.

No, you still aren't paying attention. I am NOT talking about imaging. I'm talking about cloning, something Macrium Reflect is also able to do. A clone is a duplicate of the original drive or partition, so it is browsable.

 

[Carob]

No, you still aren't paying attention. I am NOT talking about imaging. I'm talking about cloning, something Macrium Reflect is also able to do. A clone is a duplicate of the original drive or partition, so it is browsable.

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.

 

[SIW2]

A clone is not an image file.

Cloning is just copying a partition/disk to another partition/disk. Lots of software can do disk/partition copying. Aomei partition assistant, for example.

If you want to create and view an image file, the closest to what you want is windows system image. The windows system image is saved as a .vhd. Double clicking it mounts it to a drive which you can browse with windows explorer - no 3rd party software required.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

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]

A clone is not an image file.

Cloning is just copying a partition/disk to another partition/disk. Lots of software can do disk/partition copying. Aomei partition assistant, for example.

If you want to create and view an image file, the closest to what you want is windows system image. The windows system image is saved as a .vhd. Double clicking it mounts it to a drive which you can browse with windows explorer - no 3rd party software required.

Right. That's why I said "or".

The vhd is really only for restoring an entire system. The process for mounting it is not going to sit well with the people who would be needing it.

 

[Carob]

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?

I never said they were the same.

If you are able to create either a clone or image using Macrium, and then take that file to another computer, and then mount that image (without using Macrium or any other 3rd party software) to browse, open files, etc., then by all means point me to the documentation that describes how because I can't find it. I would love to be able to do what you say but I don't see it anywhere in their documentation. Or in the software itself. Keep in mind I'm not looking to clone a drive to another drive. I'm looking to clone or image a drive to a file that can be stored anywhere.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...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)?

 

[Carob]

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)?

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.

 

[SIW2]

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.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

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.

 

[RolandJS]

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.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

I was recommended by SIW2 in a prior thread when I was looking for a good image creator to use AOMEI.

On investigation and use I found that the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard and the AOMEI Backupper Standard to be brilliant for what I needed and so easy to understand and use.

I just thought this information might be useful!