If Macrium Reflect X is too expensive, what will you switch to?


If Macrium Reflect X is too expensive, what will you switch to?

  • Ashampoo

  • Hasleo

  • Veeam

  • Acronis True Image

  • Paragon

  • Aomei Backupper

  • EaseUS ToDo

  • R-Image

  • Mini Tool Partition Wizard

  • ShadowProtect


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Otherwise it can be done with a script pointing at some folder

e.g. my simple pe builds ( the builds with a litle menu ) contain this line in pecmd.ini

IFEX %systemdrive%\pedrivers,
{
EXEC !PNPUTIL /add-driver %systemdrive%\pedrivers\*.inf /subdirs /install
)


that assumes a folder named pedrivers on the root of the wim %systemdrive% is x: in booted winpe

Another way could be to call a .cmd file from winpeshl.ini such as startnet.cmd .

e.g.
winpeshl.ini
Code:
[LAUNCHAPPS]

STARTNET.CMD

WHATEVER YOUR SHELL IS


Add a few lines to startnet.cmd to install drivers from whatever your folder is called. You will see cmd prompt briefly if you do that
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
Screenshot shows WinRE not PE.
winre is winpe .

winpe is the small operating system that loads into ram

It might or might not include such things as setup files, srt tools, third party programs, wifi support, rejuvenation or other packages etc.

MS name it winre.wim so you know it already has the recovery tools included.
recenv.exe is launched as the shell because of the addition of
winpeshl.ini pointing at recenv.exe

Code:
[LaunchApp]
AppPath=%SystemDrive%\sources\recovery\recenv.exe


macrium replaces that with one pointing at macrium's own launch.exe

I have been building winpe for many years . Enthusiasts often just call it pe for short.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
@SIW2,

I just wanted to follow up with you on our conversation from yesterday. Turns out that you are absolutely correct. I try my best, but sometimes I get it wrong. :-)

I wrote my own program that does basically what Ventoy does, but the problem is that 99% of the time I'm just booting Windows installation images because I install Windows multiple times a day, every single day. I very rarely need to boot from something like a Reflect or other PE media. I forgot that I customized a boot.wim to include all my boot critical drivers and that's why it does work for me.

I had to go back to my notes from when I was writing the program, and sure enough there was in my notes that I had to customize the boot.wim to get my boot critical drivers added, but I spent so little time on that so it just completely slipped my mind that that was a necessary step and I got to a point where I just assumed that it worked since Windows Setup basically runs on PE.

So, I very much appreciate your pointing out the error of my ways and helping me not to spread my misinformation further. :-)

I like when I get corrected like this, because now I can pretty well guarantee that I'm not going to forget this one.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
For shts and giggles I got NotebookLM to make a podcast of this thread.

 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Workstation
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    doofenshmirtz evil incorporated
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Formula
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB ROG Strix LC OC
    Sound Card
    Sound BlasterX Katana
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x27" Dell U2724D & 1 x 34" Dell U3415W
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State
    Drive
    PSU
    ASUS ROG THOR 850W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    ASUS ROG Strix Helios Midi-Tower ARGB Gaming Case
    Cooling
    ASUS ROG Strix LC Performance RGB AIO CPU Liquid Cooler - 360mm
    Keyboard
    Logi Ergo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Vertical
    Internet Speed
    900/100 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Pro
    Other Info
    HP M281 Printer
    Logitech Brio Stream webcam
    Yeti X mic
  • Operating System
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop
    CPU
    i7
winre is winpe

Yes WinRE is based on WinPE but I was directly addressing your screenshot in relation to Macrium rescue media.

When you create a WinPE rescue within Macrium you need to download PE as it is not included with Windows.

1.webp


Macrium creates WA11K folders for the PE builds.
Macrium creates WinRE folders for WinRE builds.

Screenshot 2026-05-12 082840.webp

Your screenshot is showing Macrium built the WinRE build.

dd.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
Doesnt matter if it is ms boot.wim, winre.wim or the winpe.wim downloaded by some program.
Pebuilding enthusiasts call them all winpe or sometimes just pe.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
For shts and giggles I got NotebookLM to make a podcast of this thread.

7 mins

Hasleo uses timestamps for their delta restore according to a post on their site. Both backup and delta restore are very quick.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
The metadata info used for Hasleo's DELTA RESTORE is exactly the same as REFLECT without CBT in use.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10, (also 7, 11, Linux <MINT & ZorinOS>)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Z2 G5 Workstation
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700
    Motherboard
    HP Model# 8751
    Memory
    32gB (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek basic audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" (Viewsonic)
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    (3) NvME SSDs <(1) PCiE v3>, (1) SATA3 SSD

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
Hasleo has Chinese roots and writes home.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS built by Micro center
    CPU
    Intel Core i9- 12900K Alder Lake 3.2 GHz LGA1700
    Motherboard
    Asus prime Z790-v WI FI Intel LGA1700 ATX
    Memory
    G-Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GEForce GTX1616 Super dual fan
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 500GB 860 EVO
    PSU
    Thermalake 500 Watt
    Case
    V 100ATX
    Antivirus
    Defender primary with MBAM free secondary
Rescuezilla gets a thumbs up from me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS built by Micro center
    CPU
    Intel Core i9- 12900K Alder Lake 3.2 GHz LGA1700
    Motherboard
    Asus prime Z790-v WI FI Intel LGA1700 ATX
    Memory
    G-Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GEForce GTX1616 Super dual fan
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 500GB 860 EVO
    PSU
    Thermalake 500 Watt
    Case
    V 100ATX
    Antivirus
    Defender primary with MBAM free secondary

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Micron 1TB SSD
Hasleo has Chinese roots and writes home.
I admire people who make the bold decision to use Chinese software. I'd much rather have NSA / GCHQ spying on me :-)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self build
    CPU
    Core i7-13700K
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Plus WiFi Z790
    Memory
    64 GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 Super Gaming OC 8G
    Sound Card
    Realtek S1200A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VP2770 & Dell (secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000 2TB NVME SSD & SATA HDDs & SSD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNova G2 850W
    Case
    Nanoxia Deep Silence 1
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Digital Media Pro
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    80 Mb / s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes Free & AdwCleaner
I see no evidence that Hasleo phones home. My firewall alerts me dozens of times a day, mostly for MS connections, but I have never seen a pop-up for Hasleo.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8524
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Micron 1TB SSD
There is no evidence Hasleo "writes home"

I doubt macrium has anything on you either. Though if they did they would have to hand it to the regime that has jurisdiction over you on demand.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
I think one of these was sending information to my ex wife attorney during our divorce
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Antec/Case
    CPU
    Intel i5-10600kf
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE Z590 UD AC
    Memory
    32gb corsair vengerance pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD RX 6500XT
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    40" Hisense
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850
    Samsung 870
    Seagate 2TB
    PSU
    EVGA GQ 750
I have Acronis True Image Lifetime License for three computers. I bought it at a discount years ago. Acronis keeps coming back and offering me a good deal on a renewal of the license for a very low price, and I renew every couple years. It ends up costing me far less than knuckling down to their subscription model and paying every year for my backup. On a couple of computers, I'm using Hasleo Free, so far it's worked well. When they wake up and offer a lifetime price for multiple machines, I'd consider them as a replacement if they're cheaper than Acronis.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear, Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440, 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
I just can't go for cheap on my backup images.
My Macrium Reflect X is very important to me.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 DA16260
    CPU
    Intel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H
    Memory
    64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" 3.2K Tandem OLED Infinity Edge
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 2000 16:10 236 PPI
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    NPU delivering 67 TOPS
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
    CPU
    Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NPU delivering 45 TOPS
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Adreno GPU
    Sound Card
    Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos spatial sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.8″ PixelSense Flow touchscreen 120 Hz 600 NIT
    Screen Resolution
    2304 × 1536 (201 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio 2026
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Microsoft Sysinternals
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
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