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Entire C-Drive Backup


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16 replies to this topic

#1 Beaker77

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 06:30 AM

 
Macrium Reflect Free is being discontinued in January 2024.
I need to frequently make a backup/clone of my complete C-Drive to ensure against possible trouble.
Question ?
What is the best FREE alternative to Macrium Reflect ?
It has to be efficient, customer friendly and easy to operate, with a simple recovery procedure.
Thank you for your help.
 

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#2 JohnC_21

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 07:16 AM

You can still use Macrium Free after 2024.



#3 Beaker77

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 10:07 AM

Backup software Macrium Reflect Free is being retired - gHacks Tech News

 

I do not feel easy using MR after retirement for the reasons given in this link.

I would still like our BC users alternative recommendations.


Edited by hamluis, 25 October 2023 - 03:56 PM.

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#4 JohnC_21

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 10:47 AM

I used to recommend Aomei Backupper but they deprecated the free version so you can no longer explore the image.  Even Easeus Free no longer lets you clone a drive and Aomei will only let you clone a MBR to MBR disk which today is pointless because most modern computer now have GPT disks. For simple disk imaging Aomei and Easeus should be fine.

 

I would look at the following

 

Aomei Backupper Standard

 

Easeus Todo Backup Free

 

DiskGenius Free  

 

Hasleo Backup Suite Free  

 

I have not used the above other than Aomei but there is a big thread on WildersSecurity concerning Hasleo

 

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/hasleo-backup-suite.449122/

 

In that link you provide Rescuezilla is another option which is based on Clonezilla which I have used without issues doing disk images of a XP computer.

 



#5 Beaker77

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 10:56 AM

Thank you John.


 

There seems to be a wide selection of MR alternatives -

Edited by hamluis, 25 October 2023 - 03:56 PM.

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#6 JohnC_21

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Posted 14 October 2023 - 12:43 PM

I forgot to mention that some HDD manufacturers provide free versions of imaging software

 

For WD drives. Bottom of the below page

 

https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/50386/~/software-for-my-passport%2C-my-book-and-wd-backup-drive

 

For Seagate drives

 

https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/discwizard/



#7 Beaker77

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Posted 16 October 2023 - 03:39 PM

With over 550 views and only JohnC giving his very informative comments, I am astonished that a large and respected Forum like BC appear stumped on an important topic like this.

Well thanks a million JohnC_21 for your solitary and very useful comments.

I favour Easeus Todo Backup Free or CloneZilla. We will see when the time comes.

 

 

 

Easeus Todo Backup Free


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#8 wee-eddie

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Posted 16 October 2023 - 04:43 PM

 Basically, Beaker, most of us know that you're a worry wort and, anyway John's advice is sound.

 

I have been using NTI Shadow for years. I used to use it to send to my NAS Drive but, that has now been disassembled (saving electricity) and its two Hard Drives now give me a pair of External Backups



#9 Beaker77

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 04:33 AM

 Basically, Beaker, most of us know that you're a worry wort and, anyway John's advice is sound.

 

I have been using NTI Shadow for years. I used to use it to send to my NAS Drive but, that has now been disassembled (saving electricity) and its two Hard Drives now give me a pair of External Backups

Thanks for your contribution, but if you are unable to answer a perfectly reasonable and important question without being derogative, perhaps being a member of a computer help forum is not for you.

I expected a torrent of replies to my OP, but only got ONE !


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#10 wee-eddie

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 05:36 AM

Beaker: Perhaps you only read the first sentence. I gave you a possible solution in the second



#11 Beaker77

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 05:42 AM

Beaker: Perhaps you only read the first sentence. I gave you a possible solution in the second

I read your solution and thanked you for it. Perhaps your contribution would have been better without the first sentence.


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#12 MoxieMomma

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 06:17 AM

Hi, @ beaker77:

 

You wrote: ”With over 550 views and only JohnC giving his very informative comments, I am astonished that a large and respected Forum like BC appear stumped on an important topic like this.”

 

For what it’s worth, topic “views” include those by forum “guests” and casual readers who might find this thread through an internet search and who are merely reading it out of curiosity, or to learn, and/or to find a solution to a similar question or problem. In other words, it does not mean that 550 logged-in forum members/helpers read the topic and were “stumped” to reply. (Needless to say, this is the same for ANY forum topic anywhere, not just this one here at BC.)

 

I hope you find a satisfactory solution to your question.

 

Cheers



#13 Beaker77

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 06:23 AM

Hi, @ beaker77:

 

You wrote: ”With over 550 views and only JohnC giving his very informative comments, I am astonished that a large and respected Forum like BC appear stumped on an important topic like this.”

 

For what it’s worth, topic “views” include those by forum “guests” and casual readers who might find this thread through an internet search and who are merely reading it out of curiosity, or to learn, and/or to find a solution to a similar question or problem. In other words, it does not mean that 550 logged-in forum members/helpers read the topic and were “stumped” to reply. (Needless to say, this is the same for ANY forum topic anywhere, not just this one here at BC.)

 

I hope you find a satisfactory solution to your question.

 

Cheers

 

Thank you  :thumbsup:


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#14 MoxieMomma

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 09:14 AM

You are most welcome, @beaker77.

FWIW It appears there are similar suggestions in what appears to be your other, identical topic here:

https://www.tenforums.com/backup-restore/208390-entire-c-drive-backup.html

Cheers

#15 midimusicman79

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Posted 18 October 2023 - 12:50 PM

Before deciding what free disk cloning and imaging software to use, you should check the specific alternatives' feature comparison lists.

 

In your initial post, you mentioned that you are looking for disk cloning software, so you must ensure your new free software has a cloning feature. :thumbup2:

 

And just because Macrium Reflect Free has a disk cloning feature does NOT necessarily mean alternative free software also has it.

 

I understand you want free disk cloning software, but that limits the number of disk cloning and imaging software you can consider using.

 

The reason is that the cloning feature could be an advanced paid-for one in some alternative software.

 

But with all due respect, if you were looking for free or paid disk cloning and imaging software, you would have more alternatives. :whistle:

 

Good luck! :)


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