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WD Imaging is a Very bare bones version of Acronis. Macrium, to me, is much more flexible, easier to use and more reliable. I have used WD Acronis and never had much luck with it. Macrium has worked for me every time if done right.
WD Imaging is a Very bare bones version of Acronis. Macrium, to me, is much more flexible, easier to use and more reliable. I have used WD Acronis and never had much luck with it. Macrium has worked for me every time if done right.
It's hard work working out what backup software the OP is using - The saying (UK) You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink comes to mind!
I think you are right in saying that WD drive was supplied with c**p Acronis software. I've had bad experiences with poorly engineered Acronis products and would never use them again. The best advice is to completely uninstall the Acronis backup software (if the uninstaller works!) and use the excellent Macrium Reflect Free instead.
My problem has nothing to do with Acronis or what ever it is, I am trying to find out how I can re start my WD Elements after I have deleted 96,000 odd files. I have no idea what software is in the unit or how to get the thing running again. Answers to these problems are what I am looking for.
Cheers
Thanks Steve. How do I get into the software to delete the current software and reformat it so as to be able to install the new one you suggested? All I can find on My PC is Elements 'D'. If I open that it says the folder is empty? I cannot find a way of getting to the innards to do anything??
Cheers
Ron, good morning.
If it says "folder empty", there are no innards to get to. No software to delete. It's empty, blank, nothing (except hidden system bits and bytes you cannot see).
To prepare the drive for use with Macrium, just give it a quick format (a basic quick checkup and re-do). That will ensure nothing is there, the drive is blank/empty, and has passed the basic system integrity check.
Do this: (Pictures are examples only from my machine, procedure is the same)
1) in My PC, right click the WD drive and you will see a screen where there is an option to FORMAT. Click that.
2) Next, leave all the filled-in defaults as is. You may assign a name if you wish. Leave the box Quick Format checked. Click Start.
Answer any question about confirmation, if one.
You are done. The drive is formatted, empty, and ready for use with Macrium Reflect as described in the two links above I posted for you. You do not need or want the WD supplied software. There is no reason to download it from anywhere. It is not needed.
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect | Windows 10 Tutorials
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free
Last edited by f14tomcat; 26 Jun 2018 at 06:29.
@f14tomcat is right about the WD Software. You really don't need to delete the software, formatting the drive will take care of that. I have two WD 2TB Elements drives and I removed the OEM files from both when I initially connected them. Neither one knows the difference. They're good hardware as far as I'm concerned.
Hi Dick, I have installed Macrium Free, but I don't understand how it gets into my WD Elements. I haven't downloaded the other one you sent yet, Windows 10, but will do so in a mo wce the Macrium Free is fully installed. How do I link Macrium with the WD please?
Dick,
I have come across these, I never knew there was a cost involved. Perhaps I am on the wrong screen??
Cheers,
Ron
Install Macrium Reflect Free and run the program. The simplest backup option is to select "Create a backup of the partitions required to backup and restore Windows".
You will see the windows shown below. Select all the partitions to be backed up (all of them on drive C: to back up the OS). Under Destination navigate to the folder on your WD drive where you want to store the backup.
See the Macrium Reflect help pages for details.
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