Use Windows Backup or Macrum Reflect?

Judy in Texas said:

"The built-in utility [Windows B&R] is no longer recommended, even by MS.
MS said not to in their announcement of Windows 10 Version 1709 and have never withdrawn that warning"

Me:
It would be helpful if there was a note to that effect on the tutorials.

Judy,

The warning has now been added to
Create a System Image - TenForumsTutorials

Denis

Judy in Texas said:

GHOT, thank you so much.

I tried to get all the most important stuff on one pic.

Hello @Judy in Texas,

I am a bit late on parade but I thought that I would post a few alternatives . . .

Imaging & Backup 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
> Drive SnapShot - Disk Image Backup for Windows and PE. - TRIAL
> EaseUS ToDo Backup - FREE
> FreeFileSync: Open Source File Synchronization & Backup Software - FREE
> Hasleo Backup Suite - FREE [ Newly Released Software - NOT a lot known ]
> Karen's Replicator - Backup Utility - FREE
> Macrium Reflect - FREE Edition - FREE
> NovaBackup - PAID
> O&O DiskImage 15 Professional Edition - PAID - See NOTE: Below
> Paragon Backup & Recovery - FREE
> Second Copy Automatic Backup Software - PAID
> SyncBackFree: Backup and Synchronization Software - FREE
> SyncToy - MS Download Centre - FREE

NOTE: Sometimes FREE > Register FREE full version O&O DiskImage Professional Edition!

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NOTE: Personally, I would stay clear of the Windows Built-In Imaging & Backup option.

It is common knowledge that most of the time you can NOT trust ANY of the MS built-in Backup or Image facilities because they just do NOT 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.

Hi all -

Just noticed this.

With all of these solutions...

I wanted to comment that nothing is mentioned about the type, preparation and usage of the Restore Medium.
Obviously it is critical that this be made correctly (and validated) via USB drive, CD-R, etc.

Acronis for example, uses a small Linux based boot medium.

Keep the Restore Medium updated and test after each imaging software release.

HTH

Compumind said:

....Acronis and Macrium for example, use a small Linux based boot medium.

I can't say for Acronis as I don't use it, but Macrium certainly doesn't. It uses Windows own WinRE to build its rescue boot media, with an option to download and use WinPE instead.

Bree said:

I can't say for Acronis as I don't use it, but Macrium certainly doesn't. It uses Windows own WinRE to build its rescue boot media, with an option to download and use WinPE instead.

Yes! What was I thinking? Post corrected.

Thanks, Bree.