Need Opinions: Macrium Reflect Free v6 vs. v7

I've been using Macrium Reflect Free version 5.3 on my Windows 10 PC for a few years now. It's been a great, no-frills, disk imaging tool.

Unfortunately, after the Windows 10 November 2019 Update (which updated my Win10 version 1809 to version 1909), Macrium Reflect 5.3 no longer works as it should. Macrium Reflect throws an Error Code = 9 and can't make a Disk Image. The Macrium folks know about this issue and it has been fixed it in the new Macrium Reflect Free v7 --- and from what I've read, it has been fixed in their version 6.3.1865, too.

So, I need to either:
1. update my Macrium Reflect Free to version 6.3.1865 (which I can do within the program), or
2. install the new, Macrium Reflect Free version 7.

I like the look (interface) and no-frills approach of MR 5.3. And I only use it for basic Disk Imaging and Restore (Full Backup, No Incrementals or Differentials). I haven't used version 6 or version 7, and I'm not sure which one would provide the same look and no-frills package that I like.

For those of you using Macrium Reflect Free, which do you like the best: version 6 or version 7?
And why? Are there any bugs or issues that I should be aware of?

Thanks for your help and advice.

Toby
Windows 10 Home (64 bit), version 1909

I have used free versions dating back 6 or 8 years--whatever that was, maybe 5 point something?

I can't recall any significant issues or differences with any of them. I don't recall ascending the learning curve more than once. All I use is full images. I restore only when in a jam, quite infrequently.

I'd be surprised if you were disappointed with any version, but you may have some unusual requirements/demands? Normally, I'd just go with the latest free version.

About 3 months ago, I bought the paid version, but only because it was available at half price and the offer caught me at a weak moment. There's nothing in the paid version that I have any use for.

Only using the resque-CD (boot-cd) of latest Macrium , the program is not installed ( only install after updates in VM , for updating the resque-media )
Can anyone explain why( ??) I should keep the program installed , any benefits ......??

If your doing backups from the Rescue media, having not to boot into the PE environment (Which takes at least 1-2 minutes), saves a bunch of time. Also, I use the saved macrium backup definitions (which i don't believe are possible when running from the PE), Never need to make a drive selection, just call it up, right click and select RUN to run it (Now I can re-fill my glass with my favorite beverage while waiting for it to complete) and there is no Re-boot of the system required when done.

V7 is faster and more flexible. No contest - use V7.

pietcorus2 said:

Can anyone explain why( ??) I should keep the program installed , any benefits ......??

Yes, you can do a full backup of any PC just by booting from the rescue CD or USB.

But that's it, you cannot save a backup definition file to run again next time. You'll have to select the partition(s) manually all over again - without the aid of a quick click on 'Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows'.

And without a backup definition file there is no way you can ever run a Differential backup (a boon if you are getting short on space on your backup drive, or want to make an image quicky). You'll only be able to make Full images. Scheduled backups are out too. As is adding Macrium rescue media to the boot menu (so much faster to boot from than a CD).

Hi folks

Really puzzeled here

Why on Earth (or Mars or anywhere else for that matter) would one want to use an out of date backup / restore program -- especially with later versions of Windows the earlier versions of Macrium had errors (quickly fixed by the Macrium team) when restores wouldn't work etc etc.

I could only think of some really exceptional circumstances where really old archives were stored in some old no longer valid system in some weird proprietary format - but this type of stuff is likely to be in museums, universities etc and the archivists will have sorted this all out so this data would be available to modern computers and users requiring access to it.

You can use other mechanism for backup / restore -- same conditions though. These days often data on people's machines is far more valuable than the hardware itself and often re-creating it is either not feasable or not even possible.

How is it with CHEAP large HDD/SSD's some people are obsessed with programs having a few MB stored on their systems --seems totally BONKERS to me.

Cheers
jimbo