Utilities
Jul 12, 2008
SY Tan
6 Comments

Backup and Disk Imaging via Macrium Reflect Free Edition

All computer hard discs will eventually wear out and cause disastrous results or inconveniences to users. Thus, it is important to have a contingency plan to backup all the important and valuable data such as photos, projects reports, email, financial records, etc. Disk Imaging Software is a good solution to assist users to backup or duplicate their data without spending a lot of time. There are various good disk imaging software available in the market such as Acronis True Image, Paragon Drive Backup, Norton Ghost, etc. Most of these applications are not free and the prices generally range from $30 to $100. Anyway, if you are looking for a disk imaging software but cost is a concern to you, probably you should look at Macrium Reflect.

Macrium Reflect is an award wining disk imaging and file backup software for Windows XP, Vista and Server 2003. Now this disk imaging solution has released a Free package which allows users to download and use it for free. Macrium Reflect Free Edition features all the basic functions such as disk imaging, scheduler, XML backup definitions, network support, etc. These basic functions are reasonably sufficient to perform the basic backup task.

The summary of the features available:
• Create a disk image whilst running Windows using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS).
• Image to Network, USB, FireWire drives and DVD.
• Built in scheduler.
• 32 bit and native 64 bit versions.
• Industry leading compression levels and speed.
• Linux based Rescue CD with Network access and full GUI. Only 6.5MB in size!
• Built in CD/DVD packet writing engine. Supports packet writing to DVD DL media with Windows Vista.
• HTML log files.


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  • DennisD

    Over the last three years I've restored 4 different Macrium Images, and the program has worked flawlessly.

    The important thing is to use the "Verify" feature at every stage, especially before carrying out a restore.

    The free version is exactly that, 100% free for backing up and restoring.

    I have no idea where people get the idea that you have to pay to restore.

    Sorry, but that's rubbish. You must be downloading the full "trial" version.

    This is the site you need to download the free version from:
    http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

  • Jack

    I’ve reviewed and tested 3 freebie backup solutions –Paragon Backup & Recovery, Macrium Reflect and Todo Backup. And, my choice came to Paragon (http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/). because it has the widest range of backup & recovery options (differential backup; Automatic data exclusion; Built-in ability to create bootable USB Flash drive ; three recovery environments restore, GPT Volumes Support and Basic Partitioning) comparing to others and it simply does it says.

    I like Macrium, but found one major bug– it cannot restore an image from a larger hard disk to a smaller one, even if backed up data is less than that of your destination disk’s capacity. As a pro I found good level of compression.

    Regarding Todo backup –I couldn’t install it on Vista SP2.

  • http://none Bill Sivula

    Perhaps two hours later.

    1. After restoring from the image file,

    I could not-find any restored files

    on the hard drive.

    2. I conclude that the "Restore" failed;

    3. I DID-NOT-DISPROVE the (Dec-31-2008) claim

    that you cannot restore with "FREE" version.

    4. Sorry about that.

  • http://none Bill Sivula

    On Apr-10-2009, I installed

    Macrium Reflect Free.

    To test re (Dec-31-2008) reply,

    I did a small test

    image-backup & image-restore.

    I WAS able to restore (without paying).

    I had trouble re the License Key when I first started the program, but by simply clicking "Okay" (without keying any License Key)

    (rather than the other choice, "Cancel"),

    the program somehow recognized a valid license.

  • Rex

    Nobody mention the backup is free, but when it comes to restore, you have to buy licence…

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