New to Macrium – how to best configure

Topic

New Reply

Need some help setting up Macrium Reflect.  I am reading Macrium Knowledgebase in preparation for purchase and creating my backup in preparation for upgrade from 1803 to 1903.  I will purchase home version.  What are best settings for retention rules, backing plan? I have a 1TB portable drive.  My 1TB C drive currently is at 159 GB.

I was thinking Incremental forever is best. What should I set for retention rules? What other options/settings should I configure for best operation?  thanks.

 

Reply | Quote

Replies

I only do a complete backup each time.

I feel the ‘incremental’ are a waste of time.

If you have ever had to rebuild a system from this type of backup, you will know what I mean.

First the last full backup must be restored and then each incremental will need to be done in the order that they were made. I like doing just the full restore and be done with it.

Also note, that all of the files that were deleted during of the time of incremental, they will be restored, if they are on any of the backups.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

2 users thanked author for this post.

cmptrgy, dmt_3904

Reply | Quote

Hi I am running full backup, as you suggested.  Makes sense to me what you say.  I asked to keep for 24 weeks and run monthly – does that seem reasonable?  Is  the file/folder backup separate from Windows restore? Or will does this option – “Create an image of the partitions required to backup & restore Windows”  include My Documents (all my personal files/folders)?

If I create file/folder backup, can I put it on the same portable (Seagate 2TB) drive as the Windows backup? thanks.

Reply | Quote

PMFJI, but does Macrium Free offer a DIFFERENTIAL (as opposed to incremental) backup option?

Zig

Reply | Quote

@Zig, Yes, the free version of Macrium Reflect does include the option for differential backups.

Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.1
Group A:
Win 10 Pro x64 v22H2 Ivy Bridge, dual boot with Linux
Win l0 Pro x64 v22H2 Haswell, dual boot with Linux
Win7 Pro x64 SP1 Haswell, 0patch Pro, dual boot with Linux,offline
Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 Ivy Bridge, 0patch Pro,offline

Reply | Quote

[samak]

I do Full images occasionally and then Differential images that back up all the data that has changed since the last Full image was taken. So there would only be 2 images to restore.

Windows 10 Home 22H2, Acer Aspire TC-1660 desktop + LibreOffice, non-techie

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by samak.

Reply | Quote

I use Macrium Reflect Free version since all I want is a complete backup of my primary disk which includes the C: partition and all hidden system partitions before installing the monthly updates, before installing a Feature update, and before performing anything of concern.  I agree incremental is a real pain, and running automatically just because seems a waste unless you have alot of activity each and every day.

Make sure you create a CD or USB Recovery and test it to ensure it boots your system into Macrium and your drives are shown and  accessable.  Suggest Backups are placed on a USB hard drive.

Macrium easily makes a backup of your drives and folders necessary to restore your system, or (the one I suggest) is the option that says make and image of this disk.  That will automatically select all the system files/folders per the first option AND select the rest of the entire disk/drive including all partitions.  The display will show a checkmark by each of your partitions on the drive.

If you have more than one drive you can separately select that one and make another backup etc.

For retention keep as many full backups as you want, I believe the Macrium default is 12 full subject to drive space limitations.   So depends on how many you plan on making as to how many you want to keep (eg: if monthly, you dont need more than 2 -4 of them.  You can also manually pick and choose and delete ones you dont want later.

Windows 11 Pro v24H2 and Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2

Reply | Quote

Thanks. Make sure you create a CD or USB Recovery and test it to ensure it boots your system into Macrium and your drives are shown and  accessible.

How do I test it? I have it on a Seagate portable drive. Windows & files/folders backups.

Reply | Quote

dmt_3904 wrote:

How do I test it? I have it on a Seagate portable drive. Windows & files/folders backups.

You need to make the Rescue Media separately from the (Seagate?) USB hard drive which you will make and store your backups.

Easiest is to use a USB stick/pen for making the Rescue Media (read the manual or Google on YouTube how to do).  There are lots of user friendly videos.

Once you successfully make it, you need to try it out by plugging in the USB stick and your USB hard drive, restart your computer, and press F8 to boot from the USB stick vs your normal computer startup. (You will need check into how make your computer allow you to do alternate boot up if it does not already.)

Assuming you did everything correctly and Macrium was able to automatically build the Rescue Media to include all the drivers that it needs to function, you will boot into the rescue environment where you will see the Macrium program and be able to see all your drives (your USB hard drive which does or will contain your backups and all your hard drives (especially the C: partition which contains Windows).

If so, you are good to go in the event you ever need to restore a backup from your USB hard drive onto your computer hard drive(s).

Windows 11 Pro v24H2 and Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2

2 users thanked author for this post.

kevmcc, dmt_3904

Reply | Quote

[dmt_3904]

Sorry I’ve never done this before. I couldn’t find good instructions online

You need to make the Rescue Media separately from the (Seagate?) USB hard drive which you will make and store your backups.  Done  rescue media is a usb  

Once you successfully make it, you need to try it out by plugging in the USB stick and your USB hard drive, restart your computer, and press F8 to boot from the USB stick vs your normal computer startup. (You will need check into how make your computer allow you to do alternate boot up if it does not already.) ok is f8 for all manufacturers? I have a dell. I think it’s f8 but have never tried it

Assuming you did everything correctly and Macrium was able to automatically build the Rescue Media to include all the drivers that it needs to function, you will boot into the rescue environment where you will see the Macrium program and be able to see all your drives (your USB hard drive which does or will contain your backups and all your hard drives (especially the C: partition which contains Windows). So when I boot from rescue media, it should bring up what you say and that means a successful test. Or fail if I don’t get rescue environment.  At that point, will I have the option to boot normally?  I am afraid of booting with rescue media and then not being able to get out with normal boot. How to I get out of the rescue environment ? Thanks 

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by dmt_3904.

Reply | Quote

On a Dell, the Boot Menu is usually F12 as you are booting up.

You get out of the Rescue Media by exiting the program and rebooting. Then booting off the HDD/SSD if given a choice.

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmptrgy

Reply | Quote

Got it.  Thank you everyone for your help!

Reply | Quote

Macrium User Guide:-  http://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v7/user_guide/macrium_reflect_v7_user_guide.pdf?src=sidebar

Hope this helps.

Reply | Quote

dmt_3904 wrote:

I am afraid of booting with rescue media and then not being able to get out with normal boot. How to I get out of the rescue environment

Turn off the machine and unplug the USB. Simples!

The rescue media is created from within MR. Other Tasks > Create rescue media.

Boot interruption is F12 on a Dell. You need to have the USB plugged in before power on.

cheers, Paul

2 users thanked author for this post.

KP, cmptrgy

Reply | Quote

I believe there is an ‘ESC’ button – I don’t know if it does normal boot from there or where that goes.  Just never done this b4, I’ve gone into the BIOS screen & when I hit ESC, it boots.

For F12, I think I should have, under LEGACY BOOT, a choice to boot from the USB or Internal HDD & other options (bios, diagnostics).

If I have to shut it down, it won’t hurt anything to turn off the computer while it is on the boot menu?

Reply | Quote

Turning off at the boot menu is OK.

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

Thanks everyone for this great info, but I’m still confused. I have Win7 SP1 on a HP laptop machine. I’ve just installed Macrium Free and have the create backup screen open (see attached). I see what seems to be 3 options: 1 image selected disk(s), 2 create an image of the partitions… to backup and restore windows, 3 create a file and folder backup. I also see “Clone this disk” and Image this disk” hotlinks below the entries of the disks available. So I’m guessing what I need is #2 and for System, not C drive and save to USB  in case my computer ever fails. Is that correct?

I’ll deal with incremental and differential, etc. later.

Thanks so much for helping this ‘old grannie.’

 

Reply | Quote

Grams,

You want to use the Image this disk…  link. However, you first want to attach a USB disk drive, not shown in your screen capture. You can then just follow the prompts and at the end choose to save the backup definition. The next time you want to run it you simply select the Backup Definition Files tab, select your saved definition, click on the Icon (Screen w/arrow) and select FULL and you’re off to the races.

Click the Advanced Options link (bottom left) and select Auto Verify then check the box.

If you only have a single backup drive I would recommend that before you get started to change the defaults for Destination Drive Discovery to use the Unique Volume Identifier option so you don’t have to worry about which drive letter Windows assigns to your external drive and have to modify your definition each time:

1.  On the main screen select Other Tasks.
2. Select Edit Defaults.
3. Click the Advanced Wrench Icon.
4. Select Destination Drive Discovery.
5. Click the Use the unique volume identifier to locate the backup drive.
6. Click Ok.
7. Click on the Backup Icon at the top of the Reflect Defaults dialog.
8. Select Auto Verify Image.
9. Click the check box.
10. Click OK.

Now you’re ready to setup your backup definition as indicated above. You can now skip the Advanced Options link since you’ve setup Auto Verify as a default.

HTH

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

3 users thanked author for this post.

cmptrgy, jburk07, grams

Reply | Quote

Thank you so much, Retired Geek! Now I understand and am ready to set-up my Macrium.

all the best!

Reply | Quote

Thanks again! I created the backup, saving to identified USB drive, rebooted, ESC to get to boot from USB, and voila’ my usual desktop appeared. Then safely ejected the USB and restarted.So I’m thinking I did everything correctly. Cheers!

Reply | Quote

@dmt_3904 & grams too

You might be interested in knowing
I create a Full system image backup using MRF during the week prior to the 2nd Tuesday each month.
When applicable, I will use my external USB HDD for other purposes.
— After either usages I remove my external USB HDD.
Although I keep my laptop & desktop secure from possible infections, I don’t want to be surprised if some day an infection does get through and also affects my external USB HDD.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

Reply | Quote

thanks cmptrgy – good advice. I ran several antivirus program scans before I did my first MRF backup just to be safe. I never leave any USB stick plugged in longer than what I need it to do

Reply | Quote

Macrium offers two methods of getting to the Recovery environment.  The first is to make a recovery disk (CD, DVD etc.) which can be booted from when the computer starts.  The second is to create what is effectively a dual-boot situation, so that when your computer starts, you have the option of booting into Windows (the default) or into the recovery environment.   Both methods are set out under Other Tasks > Create Rescue Media.  The first method is for when your system is completely hosed and will not boot normally.  The second is for when the computer will boot normally, but for some reason (perhaps a failed update) you want to restore an earlier backup.  I like to have both methods available, in case one of them fails.

 

Windows 10 Pro 64 bit 20H2

1 user thanked author for this post.

KP

Reply | Quote

thanks, Bundaburra. I’ll have to see how to tweak my set-up to include both. It appears that I only have the first option chosen as when I did a test  it booted to my desktop which appeared as normal.

Reply | Quote