Hi guys, what's the latest on system backup software?

Hello @Napkins333,

There are MANY members here that use Macrium Reflect [ FREE ], so you will have a LOT of help and advice if needed.

Personally, I would stay clear of the Windows Built-In Imaging & Backup option for the reasons I have given below.

 Macrium Reflect - Imaging & Backup

Macrium Reflect is a trusted and recommended source that is widely used in this forum, therefore, there is plenty of help available for ANY questions or advice if needed.

Download => Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition

Quote from their website . . .

FREE Edition

A free back up, disk imaging, and cloning solution capable of meeting the needs of both commercial and personal users.

Protect your data, upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems safe in the knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file. Macrium Reflect supports back up to local, network, and USB drives, and is licensed for both home and business use.

Other Software:

This Software is listed in alphabetical order as opposed to relevance order.

> Acronis True Image - PAID
> AOMEI Backupper Standard Edition - Free Backup Software for Windows - FREE
> EaseUS ToDo Backup - FREE
> FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization & Backup Software - FREE
> Karen's Replicator - Backup Utility - FREE
> NovaBackup - PAID
> Paragon Backup & Recovery - FREE
> Second Copy Automatic Backup Software - PAID
> SyncBackFree: Backup and Synchronization Software - FREE
> SyncToy - MS Download Centre - FREE

Windows Built-In Imaging & Backup:

DOWNSIDE:

It is common knowledge that most of the time you CAN'T trust ANY of the MS built-in Backup or Image facilities because they just DON'T work. The System Imaging facility is a deprecated feature which is NO longer being developed or updated [ it used the same executables in every version of W10 ]. Even MS say that the built-in System Imaging facility should NOT be used . . .

System Image Backup (SIB) Solution
We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors.

SOURCE: > Features Removed or Deprecated in Windows 10

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I hope this helps.

Another satisfied Macrium Reflect user here. Up until three years ago I used the built-in Microsoft system imaging, but it was a real struggle to avoid all its temperamental 'quirks' and get it to work relatively reliably. Macrium was a breath of fresh air in comparison and has been 100% reliable for me.

Perhaps its only criticism has been a rather clunky UI, but that has been much improved for the new Reflect version 8 that's due out shortly.

Napkins333 said:

I just wanted to ask you guys if Macrium Reflect or MiniTool is the best, or most efficient way to do a full system image backup on a portable drive now-a-days in 2021?

Personally I ditched Macrium and use Minitool Shadowmaker free these days. It can boot to PE without a rescue USB (from a working system). However when trying to restore an image made on one computer to another machine it failed so I guess that Macrium is still needed.

Napkins333 said:

I just wanted to ask you guys if Macrium Reflect or MiniTool is the best, or most efficient way to do a full system image backup on a portable drive now-a-days in 2021?

Personally I ditched Macrium and use Minitool Shadowmaker free these days. It can boot to PE without a rescue USB (from a working system). However when trying to restore an image made on one computer to another machine it failed so I guess that Macrium is still needed.

Satisfied Macrium Reflect user for years. Looking forward to Version 8 coming out soon.

Yes to Macrium Reflect, no to any Acronis software.