Macrium Standard 6.0

[Rich-M]

I have to take my hat off to this one. Clean, easy update that makes this process so simple a child can do it.

 

As always there is more than one way to make an image file in this program but the main screen is cleaned up so you can easily see how to clone a hard drive, make an image file of restore one effortlessly. Now I am using standard version but everything I am saying applies to the free version as well as the only real difference is the making of incrementals and differentials. I made an image file that is 90 gb in use on a 128 gb hard drive in 16 minutes which is about 10 minutes faster than version 5.0. Even the Rescue Disk, which now defaults to the Windows PE environment but of course you can make a Linux disk if you so desire is way quicker and the Windows PE environment bots now in half the time and is an exact replica of the main screen which makes is so clean and easy to use for restoring or making an image file if you want to do it that way.

 

The only thing you still have to know is that to make incremental or differential files, you have to leave the sml screen, the last screen you see before it begins making the image file checked as then all you need to do to make an incremental is open the heading "Backup definition Files" and choose the one you want to make the incremental for then right click it and chose "make incremental" or "make differential" and off you go making it the same as the original settings made the original file.

 

My only issue which is easy to forget is that the personalized settings could easily be missed as in earlier versions because you have to choose "advanced settings" from the main box after designing your project to alter default compression, file size, add a password or check the image file for errors but if you forget as I have done many times just cancel, go back and set it up again is all.

 

Once again Macrium Reflect for me is the easiest least complicated program I have ever used that does the job of making an image file, cloning a drive or making updated image files under a variety of circumstances and I believe going forward protects you better than any other program. Now it won't get your mail for you or wash your car as Acronis tries to, but it will "save your bacon" every time flawlessly. Their foresite as they had just reduced the size of the Windows PE disk from a Dvd to a Cd for heavy use as Windows 8 was blowing away programs using Linux disks by not being able to read them, and that is something I will never forget.

 

Storage Craft and Acronis may have all the "bells and whistles" but I find Storage Craft a totally intimidating program and Acronis a most often flawed one and the latter for me has long stopped being dependable as it once was. After constant insurances that Acronis 2013 was ready for Prime Time (updated for Windows 8) I lost one system completely trying to restore an image file and had to return the laptop to have them replace the hard drive destroyed by Acronis, and the other after a simple install as the final program it broke Windows and I had to totally reinstall Windows. BTW anyone reading this who has Windows 8, please make sure your System Restore is defaulted "enabled" as I found out when that happened to me many systems have it disabled from the factory, as that might have saved me if it had been "enabled" in the second instance.

http://www.macrium.com/

Download free full featured trial version:

http://www.macrium.com/Download.aspx?type=home

I see where the free version has not been released quite yet.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

You've convinced me to take another look at Macrium, Rich.

I'm still using Acronis TI for all of my computers because I do use the incrementals portion of TI.

 

Macrium Reflect can be handy when I need to clone a customers failing hard drive.

[Rich-M]

Yes it can Cindy because unlike Acronis it will usually clone a failing hard drive whereas Acronis won't. Then often times you can run checkdisk or Hdd Regenerator on the new drive and all is well! It is also so damn simple and uncluttered. If you go to buy it remember the 20% off coupon James supplied because those things are seldom offered, these guys do not need to promote as their program is on every ones lips right now and has been for more than a year. This version is even cleaner and easier to work with and I knew it would be because I was exchanging email with Saul a few months back and he told me what they were doing. That is why I jumped on it so fast but James gave me the incentive.

[Rich-M]

The other thing I like is they have had version 5 out for almost 4 years. In that same time Acronis has had at least 3 versions and God knows how many updates. I don't mind buying a new version every 3-4 years but I resent having to buy one every year!

[donetao]

Hi! The free version of Macrium is all I need. I create a full image back up once a month. I'll probably down load the up dated version if it's free, otherwise I'll just keep using what I have now. Us old farts don't like to much change in our lives. I allow W7 to schedule a image back up and it uses incremental back ups. I'll probably never use it, but I have it anyway!

:big_ha:

[Rich-M]

I really agree that if you have a file and data backup program then incrementals are meaningless. I just never use a free program without either donating something or eventually buying it because I think people should get paid for their work. Then I don't owe them anything. I never in my life let anyone give me something for nothing.

[Rich-M]

Gary, I communicate with Saul Painter all the time as he is the media guy and I have his address.

When I originally setup testing with a resource I go to the media guy and Saul was very quick to answer

and set me up for testing when I first tested this a year ago. Soon we will be ready to run tests on all kinds of software

so I was just getting my feet wet then but I had a slight relationship with him.

[donetao]

I have saw his name on Linkedin!!;);)What do you mean "Soon we will be ready to run tests on all kinds of software"

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/saulpainter

[donetao]

Hi! So all the programs that are in "Recommended Software"(sticky) have been tested??

[allheart55 Cindy E]

Yes, Gary, extensively.

[Rich-M]

Actually I am or have been a user of everything on that post with the exception of RAR, which everyone knows and most of them are currently installed on my pc which is why I failed to question a few of the links on ones that have been there forever.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I use RAR all of the time and almost all of the programs that you have listed, I have used and most are also on my main computer.