Simple Backup Request

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I’d appreciate suggestions for simple to install, simple to setup and easy to maintain backup software for a new  laptop running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Version 22631.3447. Preferrably free or low cost.  I have read the advice offered in Backup on Ask Woody; most are over my moderate computer skill. I’m a retired very senior citizen living in a Defence Retirement facility in Victoria, Australia with no computer help. Better to ask questions than to make a mess I’d have trouble recovering from. Further, is there a difference between clone and image re backups? Thanks in advance for any advice.

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CR2 wrote:

is there a difference between clone and image re backups?

A clone

• Duplicates the entire disk (all partitions and all unused/empty space).
• A clone can not be compressed.
• Requires a backup disk that’s the same/larger size as the cloned source.
• The backup disk can normally only hold one cloned copy of the source.
• It can be tricky to recover individual files from a clone.

An image

• Only duplicates the used portion of a disk.
• An image can be compressed so it takes up less space on the backup disk.
• If it’s large enough, the backup disk can contain multiple image backups.
• It’s very easy to recover individual files from an image.

For example, I have a 512 GB primary OS disk with ~67 GB used.

I do weekly image backups (using Paragon Backup & Recovery CE) and each compressed image is ~36 GB so I’m able to fit 27 different backups on my 1 TB backup disk.

If I cloned my primary OS disk onto the same 1 TB backup disk, at most it could only contain 2 cloned copies. FYI, putting multiple clones on a single backup disk is extremely tricky to do as cloning software normally expects the clone to take up the entire backup disk!

BTW, I wouldn’t recommend Paragon as it is not intuitive to use like some of the other backup software recommended here on AskWoody.

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Artie, CR2

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error, wrong subject

Davidm

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Some suggestions here: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/veracrypt-and-backup/

cheers, Paul

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Artie, CR2

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I use Macrium Reflect free.  I agree that images are more flexible.  You should create a bootable USB flash drive that runs your backup software, and you should keep more than just the latest image in case of ransomware encryption.  I recommend using 1 or 2 external hard drives for storage of backup images.

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CR2

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Here is some info about making a backup image with Macrium Reflect. You might want to read the other comments in the thread too.

 

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Artie, CR2

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Perfect! As always PKCano and many other kind generous Ask Woodyites have given me all I need to set up a reliable backup. Now the slow step by step work begins. Sadly though Macrium Free is no more. Thanks a million one and all. Kind regards, Chris in Oz.

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There is still a way to download Macrium 8 Free. It has been mentioned here (somewhere). I can’t remember where. Ask and you may get the answer on “how to.”

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CR2

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PKCano wrote:

There is still a way to download Macrium 8 Free. It has been mentioned here (somewhere). I can’t remember where.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html

I cannot say with 100% certainty this download is clean.  Before installing, consider scanning the install exe file with Virustotal.

https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload

Desktop Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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JudeCat, CR2

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MG sites clearly states no updates on free Macrium. I downloaded a trial from Macrium.

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Have a look at “MEGA.NZ” (New Zealand.) They have servers in various parts of the world. It’s browser based & backs-up folders/files automatically.
Individual files can be retrieved.
And it’s free.
I’ve been using it for several years – very satisfied with it.

Davidm

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CR2

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CR2 wrote:

MG sites clearly states no updates on free Macrium. I downloaded a trial from Macrium.

The trial will expire. That is the reason you want to download the free version. Macrium has discontinued the free version (and it will not be updated), BUT, they are still allowing the use of it.

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CR2,

You can download Macrium Reflect V 6.3.1745 and update it to the last version offered.
I’m still able to use this version on Windows 11 w/o issue. As to it not being updated…who cares. It’s not an internet facing application and as long as it works it works!

Here’s some information on obtaining that version:

Thanks to jelson on askWoody.com for the following information:
I found a site offering the 64-bit 6.3.1745 version here and I verified the file size and the MD5 & SHA1 hashes against a copy I had archived in March 2017 when it was the
version directly available from Macrium:
https://www.filehorse.com/download-macrium-reflect-64/29398/
filename:reflect_setup_free_x64.exe
file size: 46,599,824 bytes
MD5: 15A97BDC0FE1C79A74DBC3EA3C218438
SHA-1: E8FB2D23F6DD1ABECA3AC2534670C34573A3CA75

The above is an extract from my “Backing Up Windows for the Non-Technical User” post.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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CR2

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Hey all. I hope it’s ok to tack my question here. It’s virtually the same question as CR2’s, but lets leave out the word “free.” I’ve got software that’s far less important than backups, that I pay for.

I’m similar to CR2 in that I’m a senior retired DOD worker, (USA), but I may be a little more computer savvy. I just searched for “best Windows backup software 2024” and got some different suggestions than listed here. (From PC World.)

They seem to like:

1. R-Drive Image
2. Acronis Cyber Protect
3. Retrospect Solo
4. F Backup 9 (Free)

Any thoughts, or experience with, these programs?

Thanks all;

Artie

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I use Image for Windows – TeraByte Unlimited. It is NOT free but is very good and reliable. FWIW, the company is based in Las Vegas.

--Joe

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Artie

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Thanks Joe. Checking it out now.

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From experience, R-Drive Image and Acronis Cyber Protect are all-but-useless junk. Acronis True Image (specific to your OS) might be worthwhile. If you ask Acronis they might be willing to sell you a ‘perpetual’ license.

Human, who sports only naturally-occurring DNA ~ oneironaut ~ broadcaster

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Fred

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Macrium is good. I left it only because it was no longer supported (free version) . Switched to Terabyte’s Image for Windows and haven’t looked back. Much faster. ~$50 for all updates within a version (they just went to V4)(it cost me $10 to upgrade from V3 to V4.

But, always, with a question, ask here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[Fred]

Mr. Austin wrote:

From experience, R-Drive Image and Acronis Cyber Protect are all-but-useless junk. Acronis True Image (specific to your OS) might be worthwhile. If you ask Acronis they might be willing to sell you a ‘perpetual’ license.

That’s quite right. Macrium Reflect is just ALL good with their boot(rescue)enviroment installed, and/plus in combination with Bitlocker-DiskEncryption active.
Lately I came in a boot-loop (W11pro) where from poweron the laptop directly came in the logon procedure of W11 (thankyou Redmond).
So the seperate bootmedium (usb-drive) gave me all the recoveroptions with the Bitlockerencrypted drives.
Thankfully it took about 12 minutes, instead of a very complicated restore job .
This licence was good the money the worth.

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• This reply was modified 8 months ago by Fred.

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PL1

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Fred wrote:

Acronis Cyber Protect are all-but-useless junk. Acronis True Image

Acronis Cyber Protect and Acronis True Image are the same software

I used Acronis Cyber Protect now renamed with no issues.

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Fred

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Yes. Quite right. Had to choose one or the other…. Testing to know and be sure in case of calamity takes just a kot of time.
Time to relax right now

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