Imaging with free Macrium

   Information

This tutorial shows imaging with free Macrium Version 5.0. If you are still using Macrium Version 4.2, go to this Vimeo site where the tutorial of that version is stored.

The Video does not show the recovery part because I have no setup to screen capture it. But Keith (Kado) made this excellent recovery tutorial with text (but no sound) that he captured from a virtual partition.

   Warning

Note that the external disk to which you image must be formatted in NTFS. A disk that is formatted in Fat32 will accept an image, but the recovery programs cannot restore that image. You can, however, mount (open) a Fat32 image as VHD.

   Note

The production of the WinPE recovery CD (which is highly recommended) may take up to 3 hours because Macrium needs to download the 1.7GB WAIK (Windows Application Installation Kit). For your convenience I have uploaded a ready made .iso of the WinPE recovery disc. That can be downloaded in appr. 8 minutes which clearly beats the WAIK download. Once you downloaded and unzipped the folder, you can burn it directly to a CD with e.g. ImgBurn.

Here is the link to my Skydrive site.

Here is an alternate link from FileSwap (courtesy of Gary - Britton30)

I draw your attention to the fact that this WinPE CD can also be used to make images. That may be convenient in case you do not want to install Macrium on your PC.

This video tutorial explains the full cycle of the imaging process which is:

· Initial setups
· Image definition
· Image scheduling
· Image production

The imaging program that was used for this tutorial is free Macrium. But the basic principles are the same for other imaging programs although the user interface will be different.

This video runs for appr. 7 minutes.
There is a related thread on the Vista forum which gives a brief introduction to Macrium followed by a discussion.
You can download the free Macrium edition from here.

Note: If you have a problem with the loudness of the sound output of the video, check the "Loudness Equalization" box in your Playback device. It is under the 'Enhancements' tab.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7
• How to Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore your System with a Broken Windows 7 System Image
• How to Create a Bootable Rescue USB Flash Drive for Macrium Reflect

 

[Britton30]

I just tried the x86 version on my 64 bit system, it will not install.

 

[whs]

I just tried the x86 version on my 64 bit system, it will not install.

Of course not. An x86 version is for a 32bit OS.

 

[Britton30]

If I remember correctly the Macrium installer determines whether you need a 32 or 64bit version.

I was testing this out.
I can't even find the free x64 version now.

 

[whs]

I think you have to go thru the pesty Cnet.

 

[Britton30]

Yeah, it uses its "downloader/installer".

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I just did a test download from CNET and scanned the file with Avast free, MBAM Pro, SAS, and Spybot S&D; all scans were clean. If CNET used a downloader, it had to be already on my computer; if so, it must be harmless because I never get hits on it from my anti-malware programs.

 

[whs]

Cnet is harmless. The problem is that the downloads often drag a lot of junk along, e.g. toolbars. Better check your installed programs. You may have a couple new ones.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Cnet is harmless. The problem is that the downloads often drag a lot of junk along, e.g. toolbars. Better check your installed programs. You may have a couple new ones.

I checked my installed programs and toolbars after downloading and didn't find anything new or suspicious.

 

[whs]

You were lucky. I caught them a few times - not always though.

 

[mjf]

Yeah, it uses its "downloader/installer".

Like Lady F I downloaded to see and Malwarebytes, Norton didn't have any issues.
You select the Options to then select 32/64 bit. What's interesting is that there are pe 3,4,5 Rescue options as well. I downloaded a pe4x64.zip file but not sure what you do with it.
When you unzip it under windows\8.0\... it contains a winpe.wim.

 

[kado897]

Unchecky may be useful.

 

[Britton30]

Unchecky may be useful.

It works quite well. I discovered it added a few entries to Hosts to block some sites.

 

[mjf]

My question may have slipped through the cracks:
When downloading free Macrium through Cnet:
What's interesting is that there are pe 3,4,5 Rescue options as well. I downloaded a pe4x64.zip file but not sure what you do with it.
When you unzip it under windows\8.0\... it contains a winpe.wim.

Is this the basis of a Winpe Rescue CD without downloading WAIK? Any comments?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Unchecky may be useful.

It works quite well. I discovered it added a few entries to Hosts to block some sites.

Curious. It just dawned on me that when I updated Shockwave player yesterday, Unchecky didn't uncheck the selection for the Google add-ons; I had to uncheck them myself.

 

[whs]

My question may have slipped through the cracks:
When downloading free Macrium through Cnet:
What's interesting is that there are pe 3,4,5 Rescue options as well. I downloaded a pe4x64.zip file but not sure what you do with it.
When you unzip it under windows\8.0\... it contains a winpe.wim.

Is this the basis of a Winpe Rescue CD without downloading WAIK? Any comments?

I am sure SIW2 would know. Why don't you send him a PM.

 

[bawldiggle]

Has anyone used "Unchecky" with the CNet download of free Macrium v5
Cnet v5 download = 2.2MB ... an installer
FileHippo v4.2 download = 41.8MB ... and totally clean

 

[whs]

I think from Cnet you only get the downloader in the first step, not the real program. And then you have to watch out and decline all the time.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I think from Cnet you only get the downloader in the first step, not the real program. And then you have to watch out and decline all the time.

Unchecky is supposed to work only while installing a program, not when downloading. I've downloaded MR free from CNET but don't want to try to install it on my computer since I already have the Pro version installed.

 

[mjf]

I think from Cnet you only get the downloader in the first step, not the real program. And then you have to watch out and decline all the time.

Maybe a storm in a teacup?
I downloaded using the downloader and didn't get any offers. It just downloaded the installer.
I didn't run the installer since I have (free) Macrium already installed. I am assuming that the downloaded installation exe is pure Macrium with nothing added (how could they add anything).

 

[whs]

I just downloaded another program with Cnet (that was the only options) and they wanted me to agree to 3 junk programs. I declined twice but the first one I blindly clicked 'Accept' and sure got that junk. Had to uninstall it. Tha has happened to me a few times before.