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

 

[whs]

You are welcome. Any time.

 

[miker70]

I have downloaded your ISO file. Should this be burnt directly to a disc or opened first then burnt to a disc.

NB. When opened the files are only 152mb over 10 files which is about the same size and contains the same files as the disc I made directly in Macrium prog.

Is it possible to test the boot disc in some way?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You burn the ISO directly to a disc.

The only valid test of the boot disc is to see if it boots your PC.

If it does not, throw it out and make another.

If it does, make sure you can navigate it and see your image file as well as the drive to which you might some day want to restore. It's good to have an idea of what to expect when the time comes.

 

[miker70]

Thanks for coming back so quickly.
Can you explain how, if and when I may need this boot disc and backup that I have made, a hard drive without an
operating system will be able to open an ISO file.

I am a relative novice so please be tolerant of my lack of knowledge.
Thank you in advance for your time.

 

[kado897]

There is a link to a video I made of the restore process in the information section at the start of this tutorial.

 

[Scoop]

Thanks for coming back so quickly.
Can you explain how, if and when I may need this boot disc and backup that I have made, a hard drive without an
operating system will be able to open an ISO file.

I am a relative novice so please be tolerant of my lack of knowledge.
Thank you in advance for your time.

Once you create your boot media (CD or Flash Stick), the PC can be booted independent of the HDD or OS.

For example, when I want to test a worse-case scenario, where a HDD has been wiped due to necessity (malware removal, corrupt OS, etc), I'll install an unallocated HDD in my PC. This is the destination HDD where Macrium will restore the complete OS and all of your personal data from the previously-created Image file (all content that was present at the time of the original backup image file creation).

It will in effect, become your new "C" HDD containing your OS and everything else, if you're not running your PC with a dedicated boot/OS HDD.

Then I'll insure that my external storage device is connected to the PC. This is where one can store multiple image files, such as a portable USB HDD, etc.

For example, I have a 4Tb external HDD that I use to store Images of 3 PC's, my Desktop, Laptop, and my Mom's Desktop PC.

Then I'll boot into my WinPE Macrium CD and launch Macrium's software. The contents of the CD are loaded into the PC's memory (RAM). This is what makes these bootable media tools (Macrium, etc) valuable since no OS is required to run the software. That is one reason these backup programs are often referred to as "Rescue" media.

Then, follow the Restore dialog steps in the Macrium software program.

As others have mentioned, it's important to verify the complete worse-case "restore" methodology, in case it's needed in the future.

I've test-verified the process 2-3 times but now I do that infrequently since Macrium's images are very reliable, or that's my experience with it.


If you have a basic PC HDD setup, as I do (with one "C" HDD containing Windows and your personal data), you can do the following to create your image:

- Before booting into your Macrium CD, while Windows is running, plug in your "destination" device. This can be an external USB HDD or another device, where you'll be storing your backup Image file.

- Create a folder on the external HDD. This is where your image file will be stored.

For example, I use the following folder names on my external PC:

The name of the PC. For my Desktop PC, it's just "desktop" name for the folder. Laptop, the same, etc.

Then I'll create a sub-folder with the date when I run the backup/image file. ie folder name "08-31-14".

I like to create the destination folders before booting into the CD since, for me, it's easier that way. If I recall, Macrium will assign names for the folder but I prefer to use my own folder names.

- Restart the PC, selecting the Optical Drive (or Flash stick) for the 1st boot device. You can do that, with most PC's, using what's usually referred to as a "temporary boot priority" menu. It's a fast way to access the BIOS on the PC.

With my Toshiba Laptop, when the PC restarts and displays the "Toshiba" screen, there's a line of instructions at the bottom of the screen, showing the user how to access "setup" (BIOS), etc.

With my Toshiba Laptop, I press the F12 key at that screen to access the Boot Priority menu. Here is where you can select your Optical Drive (or Flash Stick) as the bootable device. The PC will then boot from that device instead of looking for the HDD boot manager, etc.

- When the PC has completed loading the Macrium software into your PC's memory, you'll see the screen as indicated in kado's video guide.

To create your Image backup, follow the guide instructions.


To recover the PC from a previously-created image:

- Install a "destination" device, a blank HDD, into the same slot/area where the "C" HDD is installed.

- Connect your external USB HDD, or the device where the image file is located.

- Insure that the Macrium CD is installed in the Optical Drive (or Flash Stick is plugged in).

- Boot up the PC onto the device that contains the Macrium boot CD/stick, as mentioned in the earlier steps.

- Follow the instructions to "restore from an image" section in the Macrium software.

When you select that option, the software will ask for your image file's destination location. Select the desired image file to restore onto your "C" HDD.

- Run the Restore process.

- If all went well, once the Restore process has completed. you'll boot up onto your "C" HDD and your OS will launch, containing the same content that was present at the time the image file was created.


You can also use Macrium as a cloning tool. I use both HDD backup activities, cloning and imaging. I've never seen the topic as "either/or", I like the advantages to using both approaches to full-HDD backup plans.


This is the reason I have a couple of spare HDD's on the shelf. They're inexpensive nowadays (spinner HDD's) and I'd rather have a small investment on the shelf vs being unprepared with a scenario where my PC HDD failed, malware, requiring a PC "rollback", etc.

 

[bawldiggle]

Thanks Kado your post and Lady Fitzgerald your post for your feed back. Much appreciated

Nine months ago I tried "Unchecky" ... it was a lot of hit and miss, mostly lot of misses at the time.
- maybe its time to give it another try.
I am still very cautious when installing -- 2 cups of strong coffee -- and read everything

OpenCandy is not always optional:
Download | BurnAware 10-Aug-2014
- no opt out
"CDBurnerXP" , sorry no download URL 10-Aug-2014
- no opt out
FreeFileSync | Download mirrors for FreeFileSync portable and local installation 27-Aug-2014
- VirusTotal 5/55 (all threats indicate OpenCandy)
- I was/am looking forward to trying "FreeFilesSync"
- but as yet I don't have a virtual-drive ... yet !
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ 27-Sept-2013
- installer, no opt out
- I now use a VBScript with compliments of Brink.

The no opt out "Open Candy" are buried in the bottom of terms and conditions. I have had two.
- no options what so ever. Just accept it or no install of the host software.

I keep a record of every dud/dangerous download and why
I know I have about two other downloads with a no-opt out for OpenCandy.
Until I have time to setup a virtual drive (virtualBox or VMWare Player) "FreeFileSync" will have to wait.
nursing my wife through her cancer treatment

With a virtual drive/test bed I will be able to ascertain the stickiness of "OpenCandy"
- in Late 2013 I had one instance that was a nightmare to remove. Kept nagging even after "uninstalling"
- that was when I decided to keep a record of all risky downloads, incl "Open Candy" sneakware.

 

[Phone Man]

For years CDBurnerXP has had an option to download without OpenCandy. Click on "more download options".



Jim

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks Kado your post and Lady Fitzgerald your post for your feed back. Much appreciated

Nine months ago I tried "Unchecky" ... it was a lot of hit and miss, mostly lot of misses at the time.
- maybe its time to give it another try.
I am still very cautious when installing -- 2 cups of strong coffee -- and read everything

OpenCandy is not always optional:
Download | BurnAware 10-Aug-2014
- no opt out
"CDBurnerXP" , sorry no download URL 10-Aug-2014
- no opt out
FreeFileSync | Download mirrors for FreeFileSync portable and local installation 27-Aug-2014
- VirusTotal 5/55 (all threats indicate OpenCandy)
- I was/am looking forward to trying "FreeFilesSync"
- but as yet I don't have a virtual-drive ... yet !
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ 27-Sept-2013
- installer, no opt out
- I now use a VBScript with compliments of Brink.

The no opt out "Open Candy" are buried in the bottom of terms and conditions. I have had two.
- no options what so ever. Just accept it or no install of the host software.

I keep a record of every dud/dangerous download and why
I know I have about two other downloads with a no-opt out for OpenCandy.
Until I have time to setup a virtual drive (virtualBox or VMWare Player) "FreeFileSync" will have to wait.
nursing my wife through her cancer treatment

With a virtual drive/test bed I will be able to ascertain the stickiness of "OpenCandy"
- in Late 2013 I had one instance that was a nightmare to remove. Kept nagging even after "uninstalling"
- that was when I decided to keep a record of all risky downloads, incl "Open Candy" sneakware.

The opt outs aren't for Open Candy itself; they are for the crap/trialware that Open Candy will install if you don't opt out of them. I had no trouble installing FreeFileSync on three computers at different times without getting crap/trialware. Open Candy runs only when the program installer it is embedded in runs; you just have to run the advanced installations to find the crap/trialware opt outs. If you save program installation files like I do, just rename the installation file by adding something to the end of the filename, such as .disable (example: FreeFileSync_6.0_Windows_Setup.exe.disable) to avoid hits from anti-malware programs. To run the installation file in the future, just remove the .disable.

Edit: Just saw this article linked on another thread with excellent advice on how to avoid PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) when installing a program.

Btw, sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she gets better soon.

 

[kado897]

Malwarebytes Pro real time protection quarantines OpenCandy when you run the installer but the programs still install correctly.

 

[Pendaws]

I used this programme yesterday to restore a install. I have my system on RAID 0 x2 SSD's. I have been playing with different stripe sizes and this is the easiest way and only took 6 mins to restore. The only thing I found, which moight be of interest to anyone using Macrium was that every time restored the backup I had to do was re Activate Windows 7.
Other than that it is a simple to use programme.

 

[kado897]

Was Windows activated when you took the image?

 

[whs]

Hmm, that is strange. I never had to reactivate - and I made at least 100 restores over the years.

 

[clasof56]

i agree, i have never had to reactivate windows after an image restore. by the way, all the banter is appreciated. lots of good info to be gleaned. i have used macrium free for years and usually do an image weekly plus auto daily with sychback on certain folders. i like to experiment and play and macrium has saved me often. i tried a different image backup a while ago but found it lacking compared to macrium... good forum!! and thanks. Clasof56

 

[kado897]

Thank you classof56. Lots of good info on Seven Forums.

 

[Pendaws]

I did have the system activated before (Legit Version) but, who knows? maybe I did something wrong along the way.
It's no biggie, it was easy to fix. I just thought I would put it out there.

 

[kado897]

Strange. I've never had that problem either and I restore quite frequently.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Hmm, that is strange. I never had to reactivate - and I made at least 100 restores over the years.

I never had to reactivate, either, although I haven't had to do that many restores (yet).

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Wolfgang unfortunately I have to reinstall 7 as I am getting a few problems I cannot fix.
Now I have several images through Macrium and I am just not sure of how to reinstall and put back the image I have saved on an external so that it avoids copying back whatever is causing my problems.
I am hoping I can pick and choose from the image what I want so any help would be most appreciated for this very tedious task as it is my main machine and full of stuff I like.

 

[kado897]

You don't really have any control over what you restore John. If you do an image restore it is an entire partition, in which case there is no point in reinstalling Windows. You can mount the image by double clicking on it to restore some files by copying but that only works for data files not programs .