I like Windows Backup & Restore

Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 1234 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 60
    Win 7 64 bit Pro
    Thread Starter
       #11

    FWIW, once I got to understand WBR under Win 10, it has worked well. The big problem had to do with the SYSTEM partition (the 100mb hidden partition) getting full due to the long standing bugs in Windoze. Not easy to learn what the problem is, but it is fixable.

    My main issue is to know that I have a restorable system image for the PC (which I recreate a bit after every major upgrade like the spring and fall MS bug releases), and all files. Typically, once in a while I do a new image and sys repair disc, and start backups from scratch. Though with a larger backup device I can keep more than one version.

    WBR has worked well. I can try Macrium, of course. I do believe I need at least the paid home version - purchased, unfortunately, for each PC I need to protect. I'm not thrilled at the zero to minimal support they provide, though MS is not exactly known for supporting anything, let alone WBR.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,574
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #12

    Macrium has a free version which can be used on all your PCs. The paid version isn’t that much different to the free version, if you’re considering purchase purely for the support then this isn’t necessary imo.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 33,863
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #13

    pbug56 said:
    My main issue is to know that I have a restorable system image for the PC (which I recreate a bit after every major upgrade like the spring and fall MS bug releases), and all files. Typically, once in a while I do a new image and sys repair disc, and start backups from scratch. Though with a larger backup device I can keep more than one version.

    The only way I know to test that a WBR image is restorable and complete is to actually restore it. A Macrium image can be booted as a VM to test it.

    WBR has worked well. I can try Macrium, of course. I do believe I need at least the paid home version - purchased, unfortunately, for each PC I need to protect.
    The Free version is licenced for commercial use, if that is your concern.

    Free Edition
    Free backup, disk imaging and cloning solution for commercial and personal use.
    Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

    Differential imaging is included in Free, IMHO the only significant advantage of a paid-for version is Incrementals.


    I'm not thrilled at the zero to minimal support they provide, though MS is not exactly known for supporting anything, let alone WBR.

    One paid for licence would be sufficient to entitle you to email support and write access to their forum. There's no reason you couldn't licence your most critical machine(s) and use Free on all the others. With a Free licence you can still read the forum and the comprehensive Knowledge base.

    And of course you could always ask here.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 50,055
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 21H1 and insider builds
       #14

    SIW2 said:
    I have answered this before. They can be accessed by a variety of tools - diskgenius, disk management, paragon, even 7-zip handles vhd files not sure if 7-zip does vhdx yet, but there are several others that do..

    I have restored individual files and entire OS from vhd(x) files without using ms bmrui

    Not the case with proprietary formats. I am also not aware of proprietary formats that can be mounted read/write.
    Macrium images can be mounted R/W, however, any changes made will be lost on unmounting.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,092
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4894
       #15

    Bree,

    Bree said:
    The only way I know to test that a WBR image is restorable and complete is to actually restore it.
    I agree.

    Bree said:
    A Macrium image can be booted as a VM to test it.
    {changed on 3rd Feb 2020}
    I did not know that. It is a clincher for me and I'm now going to change over from AcronisTI {WD & Seagate Editions} to MR.
    I have now discovered that booting MR images is only available for Windows 10 Pro. I have Windows 10 Home. I'm going to stick with Acronis TI after all.
    - This might not bother other people but, during my brief Macrium Reflect testing, I discovered that it cannot create images of USB drives. I have at least one bootable USB with a special setup that cannot be rebuilt [because I no longer have access to the software needed to set it up]. I was able to use Acronis TI to make an image of it.



    The ability to use an image as a VM is described in the manual in a section headed Macrium viBoot

    Macrium Reflect - user guide [version-independent link to the latest version of the guide]


    [Added later] There's also a TenForumsTutorial by Kari - Macrium viBoot - Create Virtual Machine using Macrium Image - TenForumsTutorials

    Thanks,
    Denis
    Last edited by Try3; 03 Feb 2020 at 13:31.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 50,055
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 21H1 and insider builds
       #16

    Bree said:
    The only way I know to test that a WBR image is restorable and complete is to actually restore it. A Macrium image can be booted as a VM to test it.



    The Free version is licenced for commercial use, if that is your concern.

    Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

    Differential imaging is included in Free, IMHO the only significant advantage of a paid-for version is Incrementals.





    One paid for licence would be sufficient to entitle you to email support and write access to their forum. There's no reason you couldn't licence your most critical machine(s) and use Free on all the others. With a Free licence you can still read the forum and the comprehensive Knowledge base.

    And of course you could always ask here.
    There are three other advantages to the paid version of MR you may want to consider.

    1. Ransomware protection of the created images.
    2. Fast Delta Restore is the restore equivalent of incremental backups, it only restores changed blocks. It is very fast.
    3. File and Folder backups.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 33,863
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #17

    Yes, and Re-deploy for restoring to dissimilar hardware. Delta Restore (and the similar CBT when making an image) offer a speed advantage over Free, but the results end up the same. I get the impression from the OP's comments that Incrementals would be the most significant difference for them.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 50,055
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 21H1 and insider builds
       #18

    Bree said:
    Yes, and Re-deploy for restoring to dissimilar hardware. Delta Restore (and the similar CBT when making an image) offer a speed advantage over Free, but the results end up the same. I get the impression from the OP's comments that Incrementals would be the most significant difference for them.
    And with incrementals the possibility to use synthetic full images so theoretically you never need to do full image again. Never tried that though.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 57,011
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #19

    @pbug56

    Most everything regarding Macrium has been addressed, and I totally agree, but would like to comment on one small snippet from your post.

    "I'm not thrilled at the zero to minimal support they provide, though MS is not exactly known for supporting anything, let alone WBR. "

    This was commented on, and correctly. We here on Tenforums have seen many times where Macrium will go out of their way to address a bug. Lots of members here are also members on the MR forum (paid version). There is good feedback to and from Macrium with this forum. Their staff is a member here. It's not uncommon to have posts from both on each. My point is, that outside the "formal" support and forum rights with a paid version, there is a wealth of secondary support here. Very often members here (TF) will be the first to post or inform Macrium, supplying screenshots, data, logs, you name it.

    The support is there.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 5,035
    several
       #20

    Good gag.
    kado897 said:
    Macrium images can be mounted R/W, however, any changes made will be lost on unmounting.
      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 13:31.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums