Can I backup different Windows 10 versions with Macrium Reflect

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 294
    Windows 10 Home
       #1

    Can I backup different Windows 10 versions with Macrium Reflect


    Hi. I am about to backup Windows 10 1809 with an external hard drive using Macrium. When the next major update (version1903) is installed, can I use the same external hard drive to back up the new version as well? The external HD is 2 TB. Thanks in advance for any replies.
    Mark
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, yes, provided there's enough free space, but you should create a new base image as so much will have changed.

    (A base image is the first, then you can use smaller faster images representing changes e.g. differential (free) or incremental (licensed version) ).

    I.e. you may wish to create a new '1903' folder and store your image set there.

    Once confident with 1903, you can delete the old images for 1809.

    Hopefully you are using Macrium's 'Create an image of the partitions needed..' to select all partitions for the OS, not just 'C:'
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    Mcd73165 said:
    Hi. I am about to backup Windows 10 1809 with an external hard drive using Macrium. When the next major update (version1903) is installed, can I use the same external hard drive to back up the new version as well? The external HD is 2 TB.
    Yes. I have a 2TB external HDD that currently holds images of all my machines. The have a range of different OS, including Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit) and Windows 10 (32 & 64 bit). As dalchina suggested, you may want to create a new folder for your 1903 image just to help you keep track of what images you have kept. I have a separate folder for each machine.

    However, even if you are using Macrium's retention rules to purge earlier backups it is not a requirement to use separate folders. Macrium's retention rules work on the image ID of your backup, so will only apply to that one particular backup set and will ignore any other backup sets (for this PC or any other machine) that may be in that folder.

    Each backup set is managed independently. Provided you have the available space you can have multiple backup sets on your HDD without them interfering with each other.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 294
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #4

    dalchina said:
    Hi, yes, provided there's enough free space, but you should create a new base image as so much will have changed.

    (A base image is the first, then you can use smaller faster images representing changes e.g. differential (free) or incremental (licensed version) ).

    I.e. you may wish to create a new '1903' folder and store your image set there.

    Once confident with 1903, you can delete the old images for 1809.

    Hopefully you are using Macrium's 'Create an image of the partitions needed..' to select all partitions for the OS, not just 'C:'
    dalchina: I have the free version and yes I used Create an image of the partitions needed. The backup drive should have enough space on it to create an image of a few versions. If I understand correctly if space runs out then previous backups will be wiped. Thanks very much for your input.
    Mark
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #5

    Mcd73165 said:
    If I understand correctly if space runs out then previous backups will be wiped...
    If you set up a backup you will (by default) save the backup definition as an .xml file when you start the backup. This backup definition file contains any backup retention rules you have selected. The Backup definition can then be selected on the 'Backup Definition Files' tab and run to create a Full, Differential or (in the paid version) Incremental backup. Any and all backups created from this backup definition are a 'backup set', it is only the images in this backup set to which the retention rules will be applied when you run this backup definition.

    Can I backup different Windows 10 versions with Macrium Reflect-image.png

    If you edit your backup definition file to change the name of the image file, or if you create a new backup definition file for your 1903 when you get it, then this will start a new independent backup set. Its retention rules will apply the this new backup set only. Images fron the old backup set will not be deleted by these rules, you will need to delete them manually if you need the space.


    Personally, as I keep images of many different machines on the one external drive, I have chosen not to set any retention rules. I prefer to manually delete my older images when no longer required.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    If I understand correctly if space runs out then previous backups will be wiped.
    True for a given backup rule.

    But if you start a completely new image set with 1903 starting with a new base image, the old backup set will be retatined, as you are no longer using the rule that is applicable to them.

    The choice is yours.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 294
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #7

    dalchina said:
    True for a given backup rule.

    But if you start a completely new image set with 1903 starting with a new base image, the old backup set will be retatined, as you are no longer using the rule that is applicable to them.

    The choice is yours.
    dalchina, I didn't know about or set any rules. I just made a base backup of 1809 using Create an image of the partitions needed.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #8

    You don't have to make rules or use the "XML backup definition file" as the last step at all.

    You can instead just walk through the process manually each time. Delete old images when you no longer want them.

    You can leave the "edit the plan for this backup" page empty. No template, no schedule, no rules, no purging.

    The whole thing is maybe 6 or 8 mouse clicks.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 294
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ignatzatsonic said:
    You don't have to make rules or use the "XML backup definition file" as the last step at all.

    You can instead just walk through the process manually each time. Delete old images when you no longer want them.

    You can leave the "edit the plan for this backup" page empty. No template, no schedule, no rules, no purging.

    The whole thing is maybe 6 or 8 mouse clicks.
    Thanks for that info. One question: assuming I make differential backups and I need to restore my pc using the backup image, do I use the base backup or just the differential backup or do one and then the other?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #10

    Mcd73165 said:
    Thanks for that info. One question: assuming I make differential backups and I need to restore my pc using the backup image, do I use the base backup or just the differential backup or do one and then the other?
    I use full images only. I don't want to add any complexity to something as critical as backup. Differentials add more steps and stuff to keep track of. That's not for me. I don't have drive space issues and am not trying to save time or make money by using differentials.

    I might consider them if I was making images dozens of times per month--but I make only 1 a month. Rarely more.

    But I think quite a few here do use differentials.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:05.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums