backup options other than Macrium?

I'm using EaseUS. Quite straightforward. It's a lifetime edition courtesy of Eleven forums who had some free copies they gave away! So no nags. You just click on the disk icon, tick all drives and click on backup to make a system image. Very simple interface. It gives you the option to make a recovery disk to a usb (which is Windows PE apparently).

I also back up files to a separate Fat 32 external hard drive, just by copying and pasting the folders (documents, photos, downloads etc) as a belt and braces. These can just be reinstalled onto a clean install at some point if wanted, or transferred to a new computer.

Goldengirl52 said:

Is that big enough?

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No one here can say if it is big enough or not as we do not know what files are stored on your system. You may have a bunch of photos or videos. Right click on your C drive, select properties. It will tell you the size of the C drive under 'used space.' That is the amount of data to be backed up.

Winuser said:

I wouldn't call it a backup, but OneDrive is a great place to save backup files and folders. I never used File History. My system backups are saved to external drives.

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I use OneDrive a lot as I have an office 365 sub. It works really nice and helps me ensure my files are safe in the event that something happens to my computer, it should always be in the cloud.

I warn to be careful though with taking system images on drives with OneDrive. If you create files in your OneDrive folder on say Monday, and backup using something like Macrium on Monday night, and then you add more files on Tuesday and Wednesday to OneDrive and then decide that you need to restore the backup from monday, when you put the image back it will be missing the files from Tuesday and Wednesday, and the OneDrive client will assume the files were deleted and thus they will get moved to the Recycle bin in the cloud..

For this reason above, i either keep my OneDrive on a separate partition or a separate drive from my main OS and apps drive that I would image with Macrium.

pparks1 said:

I use OneDrive a lot as I have an office 365 sub. It works really nice and helps me ensure my files are safe in the event that something happens to my computer, it should always be in the cloud.

I warn to be careful though with taking system images on drives with OneDrive. If you create files in your OneDrive folder on say Monday, and backup using something like Macrium on Monday night, and then you add more files on Tuesday and Wednesday to OneDrive and then decide that you need to restore the backup from monday, when you put the image back it will be missing the files from Tuesday and Wednesday, and the OneDrive client will assume the files were deleted and thus they will get moved to the Recycle bin in the cloud..

For this reason above, i either keep my OneDrive on a separate partition or a separate drive from my main OS and apps drive that I would image with Macrium.

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I'm a longtime Microsoft OneDrive user. I've never made a Drive Image. I prefer starting with a fresh, clean OS. When I log in to Windows from a new clean OS, with OneDrive my data is instantly there as if nothing ever happened.

Excuse me if I missed this, but if you don't want to schedule a Macrium backup, right click the definition file and click save to the desktop. All you need then is a dbl click!

Goldengirl52 said:

I have the free edition of Macrium, but seems the things I want for my backup are "always" pushing me to get free-trial/purchase.

I just lost my PC because for one reason, I had no backup for it and I have this new laptop thank goodness.

21H2 Version

Snip of system info below. I just want something to backup to my flashdrive for now as I don't have an external drive in my laptop. I only want to make my own schedule, for one thing, and Free Macrium won't do that.

If anyone has a 100% free backup software would you let me know please? I would so appreciate it. I do see plenty of Google searches on "Best alternatives" but I'd appreciate hearing from someone that is actually using one.

Sorry to forget the Snip of the system. I'll be back with that.
:)

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I have used Macrium, Acronis, Aomei and one or 2 others. I now am using EaseUs Todo Backup Pro and havent had one issue and it has everything one needs in my opinion. I had issues with Macrium and Acronis.

I don't think there is such a thing as a free backup software that won't nag you to upgrade. The free version of EaseUS todo or Macrium will both do a system image. I find the EaseUS interface more user friendly (ie noddy!).

The way to never lose any files again also, is to copy and paste your personal files to an external hard drive (Fat 32). The OS and programs can be reinstalled. I do both - system images and separate file back ups.

If the only backups you have are Macrium images of a compromised, infected operating system, can you restore only the data files from a Macrium Image?

TraderGary said:

If the only backups you have are Macrium images of a compromised, infected operating system, can you restore only the data files from a Macrium Image?

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Not using 'restore' that's all the partition or nothing. But you can always mount a Macrium image then use File Explorer to find and copy all files you need.

TraderGary said:

I'm a longtime Microsoft OneDrive user. I've never made a Drive Image. I prefer starting with a fresh, clean OS. When I log in to Windows from a new clean OS, with OneDrive my data is instantly there as if nothing ever happened.

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I rarely ever restore a drive image on my main computer, but I always feel better when I am going to change something and I know that I can go back if need be. My current gaming rig is 18 months old, and I have never once restored an image on it. I loaded the OS once I finished the build and it's been running without issue since.

Where i have been bit though, is my secondary testing machines that I have. I have a BeeLink mini-pc that I run Windows 11 on. It's been a great little low power box. Rather than firing up my Windows 10 gaming rig that sucks lots of power, if I am going to just do basic tasks (and not games), using this little mini-pc is great. And like you said, with things like OneDrive my stuff is just there. So, this little machine often gets imaged and restored quite regularly, as i use it to play and experiment. It's primary purpose is to run Windows 11 for me. But it has been setup to dual boot, it's been setup to run Linux, it's been setup to run Insider builds, etc. Once i am done with my experimenting, I just put the image of Windows 11 back down and it's exactly as it was.

TraderGary said:

If the only backups you have are Macrium images of a compromised, infected operating system, can you restore only the data files from a Macrium Image?

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how would you know the data is clean ?

If the image were writeable it might be possible to scan . clean and save. But I dont think it is writeable.

pparks1 said:

I use OneDrive a lot as I have an office 365 sub. It works really nice and helps me ensure my files are safe in the event that something happens to my computer, it should always be in the cloud.

I warn to be careful though with taking system images on drives with OneDrive. If you create files in your OneDrive folder on say Monday, and backup using something like Macrium on Monday night, and then you add more files on Tuesday and Wednesday to OneDrive and then decide that you need to restore the backup from monday, when you put the image back it will be missing the files from Tuesday and Wednesday, and the OneDrive client will assume the files were deleted and thus they will get moved to the Recycle bin in the cloud..

For this reason above, i either keep my OneDrive on a separate partition or a separate drive from my main OS and apps drive that I would image with Macrium.

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When OneDrive starts up, it looks for any changes. Older files are replaced by more recent files. Any files that are on cloud OneDrive and are not on local OneDrive are downloaded from cloud to local. The only way a file will be deleted from cloud OneDrive is when you actively delete a local file, and then it is also deleted from cloud OneDrive.

So you need not be worried that in your scenario any files will be deleted. OneDrive simply keeps the most recent files both locally and in the cloud. Any files on the cloud OneDrive and not on local OneDrive will be downloaded locally.

I use OneDrive with "Files On Demand" turned OFF. This keeps a full mirror of all my files both locally and on cloud OneDrive. I do that so that I can do local backups of all my data using Microsoft File History.

I also subscribe to Microsoft 365 which includes 1 Terabyte of cloud OneDrive.

TraderGary said:

When OneDrive starts up, it looks for any changes. Older files are replaced by more recent files. Any files that are on cloud OneDrive and are not on local OneDrive are downloaded from cloud to local. The only way a file will be deleted from cloud OneDrive is when you actively delete a local file, and then it is also deleted from cloud OneDrive.

So you need not be worried that in your scenario any files will be deleted. OneDrive simply keeps the most recent files both locally and in the cloud. Any files on the cloud OneDrive and not on local OneDrive will be downloaded locally.

I use OneDrive with "Files On Demand" turned OFF. This keeps a full mirror of all my files both locally and on cloud OneDrive. I do that so that I can do local backups of all my data using Microsoft File History.

I also subscribe to Microsoft 365 which includes 1 Terabyte of cloud OneDrive.

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@TraderGary:
You may want to check on that. That's exactly what I expected, but NOT what DOES happen.


If you take an image of a machine, and from that machine you add additional files to OneDrive they will be on that machine and will sync to the cloud. If you restore a drive image from a few days back, as far as the OneDrive client is concerned, the file on the cloud, is no longer on the machine, which would indicate that the file has since been deleted from the local machine and it will thus remove it from the cloud. It will be found in the cloud recycle bin. If you are dealing with files that were created elsewhere... from other machines, etc...those files stay fine in the cloud

Here is a thread that I started on the Windows 10 forum on this very subject.


Google loosing files from onedrive upon restoring machine images...it's on ongoing issue for 5+ years now.

@TraderGary ,
The above behavior really took me by surprise. I use OneDrive extensively at work and home. We too have OneDrive, and I have a family with 4 accounts all using OneDrive at home.

Obviously, when you setup a fresh install of an OS or get a new computer and connect to OneDrive, you see all of your files and you can optionally download them to your local machine. Files aren't deleted or screwed up here.

I discovered this oddity when I was working on some documentation. I had my Intel nuc setup and was connected to OneDrive. I had a folder called LabSetup in OneDrive. I started writing a few new files and they were on my local machine and in the cloud. A couple of days later, I decided to restore my Intel Nuc back a few days to test my documentation and make sure it was accurate. Once I restored the image, I saw the onedrive client pop up a message saying it was deleting LabSetup\File1.txt and LabSetup\File2.txt. I went into the labsetup folder and was surprised to NOT see the files. I assumed they would just be available via the cloud. I logged into the website, and to my surprise the files were gone. Well, not gone...but in the Recycle Bin in the cloud.

I found that if I unlinked my OneDrive account before taking the image, it would prevent the above problem and it would simply reconnect after the restore and I could link again and all files would be in place. But this sucks as I have to REMEMBER to unlink each time I took an image. So, instead I moved my OneDrive files to another partition or drive that I Wasn't including in the image and restore.

This is a situation that I don't think many of us will stumble upon. I think those who are running regular drive images and restoring are also likely the type who probably don't "trust the cloud" and aren't using OneDrive for anything. I happen to just use both and was surprised to see what happened. But googling it shows others have also discovered this peculiarity.

@pparks1, Ouch! I've never used Macrium. I certainly never will now.

TraderGary said:

@pparks1, Ouch! I've never used Macrium. I certainly never will now.

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@TraderGary

This isn't a problem with Macrium. It's any type of image based restore. Macrium, Aomei, EaseUs, Acronis, Ghost, etc. Also, if you had a snapshot of a VM that you restored (in Hyper-V, VMWare, VirtualBox), you would run into the same issue.

Image based backups are fantastic. It's a point in time copy of everything that allows you to quickly recover. If you hard drive dies, you can slap in a new SSD, restore your image and you have everything back exactly the way it was. Can save hours or days of setup. Not to mention, it's a guarantee that your backup has a copy of absolutely EVERYTHING on your machine. But it's absolutely great to know exactly how it's going to work before you rely on it.

I used acronis in the past (paid for), moved to Paragon Backup and Restore (Paid for), and went to Macrium Free. Used the free product for awhile and broke down and bought the 4 pack license when it went on sale. Honestly it's such a great piece of software, I wanted to give back to the developers for providing such a great application.

Goldengirl52 said:

I have the free edition of Macrium, but seems the things I want for my backup are "always" pushing me to get free-trial/purchase.

I just lost my PC because for one reason, I had no backup for it and I have this new laptop thank goodness.

21H2 Version

Snip of system info below. I just want something to backup to my flashdrive for now as I don't have an external drive in my laptop. I only want to make my own schedule, for one thing, and Free Macrium won't do that.

If anyone has a 100% free backup software would you let me know please? I would so appreciate it. I do see plenty of Google searches on "Best alternatives" but I'd appreciate hearing from someone that is actually using one.

Sorry to forget the Snip of the system. I'll be back with that.
:)

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I use Macrium a different way, I install it then make a offline USB stick to run it from and always backup from boot-up.
I never get any ads or anything i am in complete control of when a backup is made, and how , I uninstall Macrium after I have made the USB.

I do keep a separate copy of the USB boot ISO just in case i need another

I have No use for OneDrive, never used it and never will. Bottom line when it comes to backup software or any kind of software, it is what ever works for you. I Tried Acronis back in early Windows 7 then went back to the MS Backup untill I found Macrium and it has never failed me. With any Backup software if you backup garbage you will restore garbage. I do not use system restore so whenever I make a major change, I do an image. It is 2 minutes and 45 seconds of my time.. Use what you want as long as it works.

By nature of the silly title, this thread is turning into a piddling contest between image backup tools.

Let's be clear - it does not matter an iota which image tool you use, so long as it is reliable and it works for you.

What is far more important is that each user develops a sound backup strategy that suits them.

As an example, here is mine THAT SUITS me. Each user is different.

1) I keep data on separate drive to OS and programs

2) I regularly image C drive and hidden partitions to 2nd drive, and occasionally to external hard drive.

3) I back up critical data on Data drive (simply using File Explorer) to onedrive and external usb (have two copies rule).

4) I back up important but less critical data (stuff I can rebuild without too much hassle) to external usb drive.

5) I sometimes backup non critical data e.g. videos to an external drive but if it is easy to redownload, I tend not to bother.

The key point is a user should categorise their data and decide how/where/how often the data should be backed up.

As a minimum, the backup data to two separate locations rule for critical data is ESSENTIAL.

cereberus said:

By nature of the silly title, this thread is turning into a piddling contest between image backup tools.

Let's be clear - it does not matter an iota which image tool you use, so long as it is reliable and it works for you.

What is far more important is that each user develops a sound backup strategy that suits them.

As an example, here is mine THAT SUITS me. Each user is different.

1) I keep data on separate drive to OS and programs

2) I regularly image C drive and hidden partitions to 2nd drive, and occasionally to external hard drive.

3) I back up critical data on Data drive (simply using File Explorer) to onedrive and external usb (have two copies rule).

4) I back up important but less critical data (stuff I can rebuild without too much hassle) to external usb drive.

5) I sometimes backup non critical data e.g. videos to an external drive but if it is easy to redownload, I tend not to bother.

The key point is a user should categorise their data and decide how/where/how often the data should be backed up.

As a minimum, the backup data to two separate locations rule for critical data is ESSENTIAL.

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Well said !!

But also -- PLEASE TEST RESTORE from time to time whatever method you use. It's no point having the best and most robust methodology on the planet if you restore and find it fails for whatever reason. !!!

Cheers
jimbo