Question Recommend Imaging Software for Windows 11

[Muckster]

Hi, I've been using and old paid version of Acronis True Image for years to create Full Disk Images of my OS partition. I don't don't incremental. Just a simple full backup which I do manually as needed, usually every few weeks or montly. I also use the password feature which I believe means I'm using encryption.

I'm putting together a new build (thanks to other Tom's Hardware people) and I'll be using Windows 11 for the first time. I don't think Acronis officially supports Windows 11, but even if it does, my 2016 version is old and it takes a few minutes every time I do a backup just to select the options.

Anyway, I'm hoping someone can recommend a good basic imaging software. I've just started messing with the free version of "EaseUS Todo," but, unlike Acronis, it doesn't seem to copy the "Recovery Partition" or the "EFI System Partition" along with the OS partition (C. Or mabye it does but I'm just not aware it's happening. I'm not really sure how important it is to backup the other partitions, so maybe someone could explain.

I'm willing to pay for imaging software if necessary, but my needs are so basic I might not need it. Please recommend something and correct any misconceptions I've expressed.

Thanks!

 

[Lafong]

Standard advice is Macrium Reflect

Used to be a fine Free version. I guess that is gone.

You'll have to pay, but it is excellent.

 

[USAFRet]

I use Macrium Reflect.

The "free" versions of all the major ones are now feature limited. They all lack something or other.
EaseUS, Acronis, Macrium....

The paid versions do have everything you need.


Unless you want to do a full clone, and not an Image.
Then,. maybe CloneZIlla. But that requires a drive of equal size or larger, and it consumes the whole drive.

 

[Muckster]

I use Macrium Reflect.

The "free" versions of all the major ones are now feature limited. They all lack something or other.
EaseUS, Acronis, Macrium....

The paid versions do have everything you need.

Sure, but might it be the case that the free versions do everything I need given that my needs are so basic? I just want to manually do a FULL backup. No scheduling. No incremental.

And if I do buy something, why buy something that has a bunch of features I don't need and won't use?

Unless you want to do a full clone, and not an Image.
Then,. maybe CloneZIlla. But that requires a drive of equal size or larger, and it consumes the whole drive.

What's the difference between a "clone" and an "image"? Is a clone a sector by sector image of a partition? If that's what it is, I don't need that. I'm content with making an image that just copies the data, not the empty sectors too. Or maybe I'm confused about what you mean.

I heard the free version of Macrium Reflect is no longer updated which means no security updates.

 

[Muckster]

Standard advice is Macrium Reflect

Used to be a fine Free version. I guess that is gone.

You'll have to pay, but it is excellent.

I think the free version used to be the standard advice. There's still a free version, but it's not updated anymore which includes not being updated for security bugs or flaws.

I've look into it. It has a good reputation, but at $65/per year/per PC, it's quite expensive and full of features I don't need and won't use.

 

[USAFRet]

Sure, but might it be the case that the free versions do everything I need given that my needs are so basic? I just want to manually do a FULL backup. No scheduling. No incremental.

Then you'll have to do a feature by feature comparison, to see if any of the free versions meet your needs.
I looked, and for me, none of them will going forward.

What's the difference between a "clone" and an "image"? Is a clone a sector by sector image of a partition? If that's what it is, I don't need that. I'm content with making an image that just copies the data, not the empty sectors too. Or maybe I'm confused about what you mean.

Correct.
A clone is is a full drive copy, to use right now in swapping drives.
An Image is to store away later, for backup purposes.

I heard the free version of Macrium Reflect is no longer updated which means no security updates

I have the free version on most of my house systems, paid version on my main one.
I will continue to run it like that until something very weird happens.

Any new system will likely get the paid version of Macrium.

 

[Muckster]

Does anyone have experience with EaseUS Todo or other cheaper or free imaging software that's still maintained and which is catered to my very basic needs? I could just throw money at something. That's easy but expensive. I really think I just need something basic.

 

[USAFRet]

I've look into it. It has a good reputation, but at $65/per year/per PC, it's quite expensive and full of features I don't need and won't use.

There is a one time option as well.
$80 lifetime use and updates.

 

[USAFRet]

Does anyone have experience with EaseUS Todo or other cheaper or free imaging software that's still maintained and which is catered to my very basic needs? I could just throw money at something. That's easy but expensive. I really think I just need something basic.

The free Easus level is also lacking something or other.
As said, you'll have to compare them, and see what is left out in the free.

 

[Muckster]

Then you'll have to do a feature by feature comparison, to see if any of the free versions meet your needs.

Right, compare Imagers and look at features.

It's clear you like Macrium Reflect and I think that's a solid recommendation, but I was hoping to hear from others who had experiences with other Imagers and who had a better grasp of the features enough to compare and contrast and recommend something for my very basic needs.

Also, does anyone know if it's common to just back up the primary partition or if it's important to backup the primary partition along with the small recovery partitions? I see some Imagers do, some don't, and some do without telling you. I'd like to better understand what's going on with that if anyone knows. Thanks!

 

[Muckster]

The free Easus level is also lacking something or other.

Great. Thanks.

 

[Lafong]

I used Easus for a while maybe 15 years ago. All I recall is that it was a huge installation and otherwise unremarkable. I have no idea about the current version.

Another often mentioned app is Aomei Backupper. Never installed it, but I know some respected people are using it. It was "free" at one time. May or may not be a free version now.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

You might download Macrium now and use it for 30 days. "Reflect 8 Home Trial", lower left at above link. Then decide if you want to pay.

The above link says "Once your trial ends, you will have the ability to restore previously created backup files, but all other features will be blocked".

I take that to mean even if you DON'T pay, you can still restore any images made during the trial period.

My offhand guess is that the most "common practice" with Macrium is to back up ALL partitions on the boot drive.

BUT.....with Macrium....you choose what partitions you want to back up. A checkbox for each. You check it or you don't.

That might be all partitions. Or that might be only certain selected partitions. You have total control. You can even back up selected partitions from more than one drive and capture all of them in the same image file.

Likewise, you have control over WHICH of the backed up partitions you want to restore. This one or that one or all of them.

Macrium has a checkbox on the left side of the main window that says "create an image of the partition(s) necessary to backup and restore Windows".

I don't use that checkbox, but if you did, I assume it would exclude data-only partitions and include C and any other partitions that might include boot files.

I don't use recovery partitions either, but my assumption is that that checkbox would include them if they included Windows boot files and would not otherwise. Someone else here probably knows for sure.

 

[Muckster]

I used Easus for a while maybe 15 years ago. All I recall is that it was a huge installation and otherwise unremarkable. I have no idea about the current version.

Lafong,

Wow, thank you for the long thoughtful reply.

Just recently I installed the free version of EaseUS. Installation is simple and quick now.

Another often mentioned app is Aomei Backupper. Never installed it, but I know some respected people are using it. It was "free" at one time. May or may not be a free version now.

Cool, I'll check it out.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

You might download Macrium now and use it for 30 days. "Reflect 8 Home Trial", lower left at above link. Then decide if you want to pay.

The above link says "Once your trial ends, you will have the ability to restore previously created backup files, but all other features will be blocked".

I take that to mean even if you DON'T pay, you can still restore any images made during the trial period.

My offhand guess is that the most "common practice" with Macrium is to back up ALL partitions on the boot drive.

BUT.....with Macrium....you choose what partitions you want to back up. A checkbox for each. You check it or you don't.

That might be all partitions. Or that might be only certain selected partitions. You have total control. You can even back up selected partitions from more than one drive and capture all of them in the same image file.

Likewise, you have control over WHICH of the backed up partitions you want to restore. This one or that one or all of them.

Macrium has a checkbox on the left side of the main window that says "create an image of the partition(s) necessary to backup and restore Windows".

I don't use that checkbox, but if you did, I assume it would exclude data-only partitions and include C and any other partitions that might include boot files.

I don't use recovery partitions either, but my assumption is that that checkbox would include them if they included Windows boot files and would not otherwise. Someone else here probably knows for sure.

Great. Good information. I do think I'll pass on the free version of the Macrium only because it's my understanding that it's no longer being updated, not even for security issues. Also, pay or not, I'd like something I can use and rely on for years to come without having to go back and re-think things once the trial period runs out, so to speak.

One I'm looking at right now and liking more than the EaseUS is one by Hasleo. It's 100% free, and unlike EaseUS it's still being updated and it doesn't open a browser or otherwise nag you to upgrade everytime you use it, which is what the free version of EaseUS currently does. It's got a clean GUI. I also found the font size on EaseUS too small, although there might have been a way to tweak it, but I didn't find such an option in the short time I tested it.

Right now I'm leaning toward Hasleo. It's not for everyone, but my BU needs are very basic and manual, so free software might just do the tick.

Thanks for you suggestions and insight!

I know you're not shopping for one. From what I heard Macrium paid version is as good as you'll find. Still, if someone else is watching this thread...

Hasleo provides Windows Backup & Clone, Data Recovery, Windows To Go Creator, and more.

Hasleo Software provides Windows Backup & Clone, Data Recovery, Windows To Go Creator, BitLocker solution and other software to help you enrich your digital life.

www.hasleo.com

This one wasn't for me, but I always appreciate open source software...

UrBackup

UrBackup - Client/Server Open Source Network Backup for Windows and Linux

www.urbackup.org

Lastly, I did start a new thread on a question about a weird partition I'm seeing while using some Imagers. It may not be within your experience being you don't even backup EFI or Recovery partitions, but I'll post the link anyway.

Partition confusion while using BU Imager - Unknown Partition

Question - Partition confusion while using BU Imager - Unknown Partition

I've been playing around with new Imagers for Windows 11. In the past I used Acronis True Image (from 2016). When I would use Acronis it would automatically detect and back up the Recovery Partition and the EFI Systems partition whenever I would execute the option to back up my main...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[USAFRet]

Right now I'm leaning toward Hasleo.

Thats one I'd not heard of.

 

[Muckster]

Thats one I'd not heard of.

Yeah, I can't say much about it except it looks legit to me. If you do a TomsHardware search on "hasleo" you'll see a few posts going back to 2017. You even commented on a couple of them.
https://forums.tomshardware.com/search/6476670/?q=hasleo&o=relevance

(I'm certainly not saying it's better than the paid version of Macrium Reflect you recommended.)

So long as the Chinese aren't running it or there's no red flags about privacy or phone home concerns, it's looking like a good choice for me, but please share your concerns if you have any.

 

[Eximo]

Clonezilla plus AOMEI partition assistant used to work for me.

Not tried AOMEI Backupper, but I've not had issues with their tools in the past.

 

[Muckster]

Clonezilla plus AOMEI partition assistant used to work for me.

Not tried AOMEI Backupper, but I've not had issues with their tools in the past.

Clone isn't what I'm looking for, but I'll check out AOEMI Backupper along with a few others this weekend. Thanks for the suggestion.