Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

Mooly · 24 Aug 2016

Great job Kari :)

One practical problem I encountered with W10 Anniversary Update and Macrium is that Macrium fails to correctly restore some aspects of the operating system (such as user created custom photo albums created with the standard W10 Photo App). Exactly the same error occurs with Windows own utility.

I discussed this problem with Macrium who advised that because the error was identical with the MS utility as well as Reflect, that the cause was most probably the Microsoft VSS service used by both imaging systems.

In Macrium the fix advised is simple, turn off VSS and allow Macrium to use its own default version. This has proved faultless for me. Macrium did also advise that this would not cause any issues for a normal user, and I quote:

If you are not running a server with Exchange and SQL you will not notice any difference.

This shows their recommended settings to ensure that W10 is imaged correctly and these have worked well for me in correcting the issue.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect-vss-problem.jpg

Kari · 24 Aug 2016

Thanks for sharing that Mooly.

I will do some tests first, will then most probably add this information to tutorial.

Mooly · 24 Aug 2016

You're welcome :) I must admit I was very surprised to encounter the issue with Macrium, although learning that Macrium uses the Windows VSS process does explain it. I'm guessing the cause is that MS are using some file designator or extension for the problem applications (Photo albums) that are not included in the 'snapshot' made before an image is created.

There is some more info and screen shots here:

Post #148 show the problem as handled by MS imaging utility:
System Image - Create in Windows 10 - Page 15 - Windows 10 Forums

and post #6 here shows the same issue with Macrium:
Solved A challenge for the pro's. Can you help identify a reg key please. - Windows 10 Forums

kado897 · 24 Aug 2016

Nice tutorial Kari. I have used Macrium for five years now and have done many successful restores. It really is an excellent product.

One difference between the Free and Home editions that I didn't see mentioned is "Fast delta restore". This is the restore equivalent of differential imaging. Only the changed sectors are restored. This can result in extremely fast restores if the image is recent. In fact it is so fast that I prefer to use it instead of System Restore these days.

Kari · 24 Aug 2016

kado897 said:

Nice tutorial Kari. I have used Macrium for five years now and have done many successful restores. It really is an excellent product.

One difference between the Free and Home editions that I didn't see mentioned is "Fast delta restore". This is the restore equivalent of differential imaging. Only the changed sectors are restored. This can result in extremely fast restores if the image is recent. In fact it is so fast that I prefer to use it instead of System Restore these days.

Other than feature comparison in the beginning of tutorial showing Delta incremental indexing being available in Home edition, you are right it wasn't mentioned. Thanks for mentioning it. I'll add something about that and other missing features in Free edition.

Ita1 · 24 Aug 2016

Great tutorial

Cliff S · 24 Aug 2016

I just added a link to your tutorial in my update thread: Solved New Macrium Reflect Update - Windows 10 Forums

Kari · 24 Aug 2016

Thanks Cliff.

Kari · 25 Aug 2016

Geeks check this out (quote from Tell your backup software, win Macrium Reflect Home license! - Windows 10 Forums):

Kari said:

Tell your backup software, win Macrium Home license!

Ten Forums gives two lucky winners a free license of Macrium Reflect Home edition, courtesy of Macrium Software (one license is at the moment worth €62.95).

Rules are simple: answer the poll, post your reasoning in this thread before 12 noon UTC Saturday 3^rd of September 2016. You must both answer the poll and reply this thread to participate. Posts from Ten Forums admins, mods and team members will not participate in drawing.

Two winners are drawn in next TenForums Saturday Live Chat on September 3rd, see TF Live Chat thread for schedule. Drawing will be done live during the chat, geeks as we are in a geeky way :)

TF Live Chat will also include live presentations of Macrium Reflect & viBoot, see post #2 in chat thread for more information.

OK geeks, start posting about your backup software & strategy :)

Entries deadline 12 noon UTC on Saturday 3rd of September, 2016. Countdown to deadline:
Countdown to Sep 3, 2016 12:00 Noon in UTC

Another quote that might interest you (from post #2 in TenForums Saturday Live Chat 03-SEP-2016 - Windows 10 Forums):

Kari said:

The TF Saturday Live Chat this time will include Macrium Software live presentations:

Macrium Reflect - Backup & Restore
- Presentation at 17:00 (5 PM) UTC (Part 1 of TF Live Chat)
- Presentation start in your local time zone: Event Time Announcer - Macrium Reflect - Backup Restore
Macrium viBoot - Service, Update & Upgrade Macrium images
- Presentation at 21:00 (9 PM) UTC (Part 2 of TF Live Chat)
- Presentation start in your local time zone: Event Time Announcer - Macrium viBoot - Service, Update Upgrade Macrium images
Recap: Macrium Reflect & viBoot
- Presentation at 01:00 (1 AM) UTC (Part 3 of TF Live Chat)
- Presentation start in your local time zone: Event Time Announcer - Macrium Reflect viBoot
- Notice that in UTC time zone this is already on Sunday September 4^th

See this thread to win Macrium Reflect Home license: Tell your backup software, win Macrium Free Home license! - Windows 10 Forums

Stevekir · 26 Aug 2016

Kari: Many thanks for your tut on making a Macrium Rescue Media. I have done this, but I did not get the big blue panel at the end with three choices. (Attachment).

Did something to wrong?

Thanks.