Reusability of a Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File


  1. Posts : 76
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit (22H2)
       #1

    Reusability of a Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File


    I think I understand the idea behind the Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File. It saves backup settings so you don’t need to re-enter them. What I don’t get is how it’s supposed to be used over time. Right now I create a new one every time I do a full backup and then use it to create subsequent differential backups. Is it possible to use one Backup Definition File to create all your backups if you always use the same settings? For me, the only difference would be the comments for each backup. I use the free version of Macrium Reflect 7.1.
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  2. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #2

    You can use the same backup file. I recommend you set a schedule so backups will be done automatically.
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  3. Posts : 76
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Steve C said:
    You can use the same backup file. I recommend you set a schedule so backups will be done automatically.
    If I did use a single backup definition file, would I be able to change the comments on a full backup or would the original comments still be in the backup definition file?

    I keep my backup drives offline until I need them, so a schedule wouldn’t work for me.
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  4. Posts : 27,164
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #4

    Reusability of a Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File-image.png

    To make comments changes:
    1. right click definition
    2. click Advanced options when window pops up
    3. go to the comments tab in the 2nd window that opens up

    Reusability of a Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File-image-015.png
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  5. Posts : 2,716
    Windows 10
       #5

    Your original comments are in the Backup Definition File.
    If you want different comments then make different Back Definition files with an appropriate filename I would think.

    You can also Edit the Backup definition file with Blue Pen or Spanner toolbar icons.

    The Right Click variation gives more explanatory text to those Icons, useful.

    The XML files are viewable outside of Macrium if you want, File icon.
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  6. Posts : 76
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit (22H2)
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Ok good. The backup definition file is reusable. Drilling down a bit deeper, can I still reuse it if I switch off destination drives? I rotate my backup drives every time I do a full backup. Ideally, I would like to use a single backup definition file across all my backup drives. Is this doable?
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  7. Posts : 2,716
    Windows 10
       #7

    Yes, it's all doable, but not in one definition file. It's up to you to keep a track of the definition files and use the one relevant to a particular drive.

    Those definition files (XML) are essentially in plain text so you can see the path, disk id, permissions and so forth.

    I'm not clever enough to fiddle with such files or understand the relevance, so hence my first two sentences. Keep it simple.

    No doubt some one on here is more knowledgeable and can help.
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  8. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #8

    Yes you need a definition file for each back up drive its best to assign Drive letters to each near the end of the alphabet R S T X etc, that way windows won't change the drive letters on you and screw up your back ups.
    Otherwise if drive letters change you'll have to edit the definition file to seek the current drive letter of the back up drive. it if find the wrong drive the back up won't match up to the new back up running and will fail with error can not find a back up to write to.
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