New Macrium Reflect Updates [2]

Cliff S said:

Interesting, how for version 7, no updates since May, and for version 8 no updates since July

Probably waiting for W11 compatibility..

Cliff S said:

Interesting, how for version 7, no updates since May, and for version 8 no updates since July

Kudos to macrium for making excellent software whether free or paid that is always reliable so should not need updates unless something in Windows was changed or has compatibility issues with other software.

Cliff S said:

Interesting, how for version 7, no updates since May, and for version 8 no updates since July

Well for V7, you would not expect frequent updates as it is a mature product.

Equally, I know V8 underwent extensive testing, and obviously some bugs will slip into release but looking at forum, issues are mostly either related to installation, or actually using the program. Very few seem to be attributed to bugs.

I am sure any serious bugs will be rectified in the normal high standard approach, but less critical ones (i.e. bugs that do not affect the integrity of the backup) are probably being held back e.g. there is an issue with text on some screens being rather small on high res monitors. There is no urgent need to resolve this.

There is a fine balanced between not updating frequently vs. updating too often.

Cliff S said:

Interesting, how for version 7, no updates since May, and for version 8 no updates since July

When a new version of Reflect is released the previous version enters extended support for a further year. In extended support Reflect "...will continue to receive critical bug fix releases" Macrium Software | Product Support Policy

Reflect v7 entered extended support on 18th May 2021 and has had one update since.

Critical errors are often due to changes Microsoft makes in Windows, as you will see if you look at the latest release notes for v6. You will also see that Macrium released the two latest patches for v6 after its extended support was supposed to have ended, much to Macrium's credit.

Macrium Reflect v6 Patch Details

Reflect v8 got four patches in the remaining couple of weeks in May after release, three in June, and just one in July. Some of those early patches were to tweak the fonts used in the UI (too small for some to initially). Macrium freely admitted that there would likely be frequent patches initially.

Macrium said:

As with all software products, a major release will introduce unexpected problems, regardless of the quality of the beta testing beforehand..... Despite extensive planning and testing, nothing quite matches the real world.

Macrium operates differently to other software companies to ensure that every customer, new and existing, has the best user experience. By rapidly iterating and providing multiple patches in the days after release, some of our hardest work is done during this time.

Macrium Reflect v8.0 Initial Patch Frequency - Knowledgebase 8.0 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

Macrium also justified the delay in releasing a v8 Free as needing to wait until the initial flurry of fixes was over so that v8 Free would be as reliable for all as v7 Free was. IMHO v8 is stable now and ready to go 'Free' - so come on Macrium, isn't it about time?

Bree said:

When a new version of Reflect is released the previous version enters extended support for a further year. In extended support Reflect "...will continue to receive critical bug fix releases" Macrium Software | Product Support Policy

Reflect v7 entered extended support on 18th May 2021 and has had one update since.

Critical errors are often due to changes Microsoft makes in Windows, as you will see if you look at the latest release notes for v6. You will also see that Macrium released the two latest patches for v6 after its extended support was supposed to have ended, much to Macrium's credit.

Macrium Reflect v6 Patch Details

Reflect v8 got four patches in the remaining couple of weeks in May after release, three in June, and just one in July. Some of those early patches were to tweak the fonts used in the UI (too small for some to initially). Macrium freely admitted that there would likely be frequent patches initially.

Macrium Reflect v8.0 Initial Patch Frequency - Knowledgebase 8.0 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

Macrium also justified the delay in releasing a v8 Free as needing to wait until the initial flurry of fixes was over so that v8 Free would be as reliable for all as v7 Free was. IMHO v8 is stable now and ready to go 'Free' - so come on Macrium, isn't it about time?

Probably want to get any changes for W11 up and running first.

An update doesn't necessarily mean bug fixes, could also contain some new feature or function.

jimbo45 said:

BTW Macrium W7 Free works perfectly on the pre-release version of W11.

Cheers
jimbo

Not surprised as W11 is still based on NT 10.0.

Yes, I can confirm that for me both v7 Free and v8 (Free or paid-for) work perfectly in the current 22000.168 build of W11, just as they did in W10.

The delay in releasing v8 Free may be more of a marketing decision, v7 Free wasn't released until at least 6 months after the launch of v7.

Macrium Reflect v8.0.6161
Date 7th September 2021

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Note: The latest update can be skipped if it doesn't apply to your installation or usage. Please see here

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Bug fixes and Improvements v8.0.6161 - 7th September 2021

General

We've added identification of external processes locking Macrium Reflect backup files when a sharing violation causes a failure in the backup or consolidation.

Note: Process names can only be identified if they originate on the local PC and are traceable.

We've added a 'Reveal' button to show the typed/entered password when browsing/verifying/restoring password protected or encrypted images.
We've added a backup overall progress percentage tooltip to Reflect Monitor taskbar system tray icon
Localization

We've added Japanese localization support. The Japanese language will be automatically selected at install time for Japanese Windows installations.
Take 'Other Tasks' > 'Defaults and Settings' > 'Advanced' > 'Language' to change language for an existing installation after patching.