Solved Macrium queries?

1. Which version is recommend for W11 to create and restore back ups?
2. Does one require a rescue media to restore?
3. IF I have 2 partitions on my drive (only C contains the OS, apps etc), as shown in the attachment which partitions should be checked and can the image created be saved on a usb?

Thanks.

Macrium Reflect ver 8 is the latest & is available for free. I use the paid version on my Win 11.
Yes, a rescue USB/DVD/boot option is needed to restore the image as it cannot be restored while Windows is running.
You would need partition 1, 2, 3 & 4 but without 5 you would have the option to expand C into the space D occupied.

Bastet said:

Macrium Reflect ver 8 is the latest & is available for free. I use the paid version on my Win 11.
Yes, a rescue USB/DVD/boot option is needed to restore the image as it cannot be restored while Windows is running.
You would need partition 1, 2, 3 & 4 but without 5 you would have the option to expand C into the space D occupied.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your expert reply.
1 question, why would I need to check 4 & 5? All is in C, D is empty...

Will D be used at any point? If not then you can leave that but you may end up with a blank partition which would require formatting. 4 is most likely the recovery partition created by Windows with a clean install or upgrade.

Bastet said:

Will D be used at any point? If not then you can leave that then use Macrium to extend C into the space that D used.

Click to expand...

No the shop guy created D.....not being used?
So what do I check and can the image be saved on a usb vs. D?

Alexey2912 said:

Thanks for your expert reply.
1 question, why would I need to check 4 & 5? All is in C, D is empty...

Click to expand...

When you choose: step #1 in the pic above...it will automatically check mark the partitions you need to backup... to have a fully bootable image, if/when you restore.

Try to keep the data on your C:\ partition, as small as possible. Makes for much faster backups and restores.
The backup you make will be 1/2 the size of the C:\ drive (left at default settings)
Figure about 2 mins. backup time for every 40GB on the C:\ drive.

Yes, you can save the image on a USB stick. Try for a USB 3.1 stick if you intend to backup and restore, to and from a USB stick.

A USB thumb drive would be too smalL & even if it is of large capacity may not be an option. You would require an external hard drive for the images.

Ghot said:

When you choose: step #1 in the pic above...it will automatically check mark the partitions you need to backup... to have a fully bootable image, if/when you restore.

Try to keep the data on your C:\ partition, as small as possible. Makes for much faster backups and restores.
The backup you make will be 1/2 the size of the C:\ drive (left at default settings)
Figure about 2 mins. backup time for every 40GB on the C:\ drive.

Yes, you can save the image on a USB stick. Try for a USB 3.1 stick if you intend to backup and restore, to and from a USB stick.

Click to expand...

By Data you imply Docs, Music, Pics, Vids? Those to keep on D? Correct.
Than still check 1,2,3 and 4 and 5 too?

Bastet said:

A USB thumb drive would be too smalL & even if it is of large capacity may not be an option. You would require an external hard drive for the images.

Click to expand...

Can I save images to a external usb Seagate HDD 7200 rpm?
And restore from it too?
Would have a usb rescue media attached too?

Thanks.

Alexey2912 said:

By Data you imply Docs, Music, Pics, Vids? Those to keep on D? Correct.
Than still check 1,2,3 and 4 and 5 too?

Click to expand...

No. I mean when you right click the C:\ driver and choose: properties. It will show you the "used" space on the C:\ drive.
Here's a little guide I wrote about setting things up ...



Planning ahead is a good thing... just don't over think things.


Short version...

Always store your backups on another drive. A drive without the OS install. (internal, external, USB... it doesn't really matter)
Always make the bootable rescue media... so you can access your backups if Windows won't boot.

Remember... once you have a full backup... you can pretty much restore it to anywhere.
A new computer, a new drive.. etc.
Lastly... once you have a full backup and the bootable rescue media... you can pretty much do anything...and Windows will still be recoverable.


/edit

An example...

I wanted to install and play with Windows 11. I had Windows 10 running clean and tight. I have some really OLD programs.

So... I whip out my Macrium, and made a backup of the entire disk that Windows was installed on. (A Samsung 860 EVO 500GB)
Then I bought another Samsung 860 EVO 500GB.
Then I just used the bootable rescue media to restore the disk backup I had made to the new SSD.
Then I just did an In-Place upgrade on the new SSD from Win 10 to Win 11.

All done in 45 minutes. Now I have one SSD with Win 10 and another with Win 11.
When I want to switch... it take me about 30-40 seconds to swap the cables.


Result...




Ofc, this can be achieved after a clean install. It just takes a while.

Ghot said:

No. I mean when you right click the C:\ driver and choose: properties. It will show you the "used" space on the C:\ drive.
Here's a little guide I wrote about setting things up ...

How to be a Windows mad scientist, AND avoid software problems. - Windows 10 Help Forums

Not everyone will be able to implement these suggestions. This is mainly for a stand alone computer, with one user in the Administrators group, on a local account. The secret here, is to try to figure out everything that "could" happen, and to t

www.tenforums.com

Planning ahead is a good thing... just don't over think things.


Short version...

Always store your backups on another drive. A drive without the OS install. (internal, external, USB... it doesn't really matter)
Always make the bootable rescue media... so you can access your backups if Windows won't boot.

Remember... once you have a full backup... you can pretty much restore it to anywhere.
A new computer, a new drive.. etc.
Lastly... once you have a full backup and the bootable rescue media... you can pretty much do anything...and Windows will still be recoverable.

Click to expand...

You recommend installing most apps if not all on D partition, along with data etc?
C only for 11 and Off?
Care to have a look which should I check to image W11?

Thanks.

Alexey2912 said:

1. Which version is recommend for W11 to create and restore back ups?
2. Does one require a rescue media to restore?
3. IF I have 2 partitions on my drive (only C contains the OS, apps etc), as shown in the attachment which partitions should be checked and can the image created be saved on a usb?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Hi Alexey2912

1. I would (and do) use MR v8. This is the latest version & is fully compatible with Windows 11.
Free - no charge, and has most of features of -
Home - modest purchase price which covers all updates for v8; discounted price to update to next version (9?) + yr tech support.
2. Ideally, yes, You can restore non-OS partitions from within Windows 11. However, if you want to restore your OS you will need a Rescue Drive.
Although I haven't tried it myself, in the Home version you can add the 'rescue media' as a Boot menu option.
3. Assuming that partition 5 is for your personal information, you need to select patitions 1->4 to backup your OS.

The size of a Windows 11 OS backup is 30->50 GB; I have all my OS & user data images backed up to 4TB external HDD. Depending on how far back you to restore from - and the total size of the backups - you could get a 1T external HDD /USB drive; up to a few months ago, I had a 1TB USB drive for saving my images.

This is my OS backup selection -



More information can be found here - Macrium Reflect v8.0 User Guide

Alexey2912 said:

You recommend installing most apps if not all on D partition, along with data etc?
C only for 11 and Off?
Care to have a look which should I check to image W11?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

I installed everything on C:\ except games. That way... when I update programs, etc., the updates to individual things and my personalizations will be saved in the new backup. I don't have that much installed...

Things with the RED dots are installed on a storage drive...

Except for the partition sizes... Disk 2 is just a copy of Disk 1...

I have two Disk 0's that are identical... except one has Win 10 and the other Win 11.
Only one is hooked up at a time.

IanMosley said:

Hi Alexey2912

1. I would (and do) use MR v8. This is the latest version & is fully compatible with Windows 11.
Free - no charge, and has most of features of -
Home - modest purchase price which covers all updates for v8; discounted price to update to next version (9?) + yr tech support.
2. Ideally, yes, You can restore non-OS partitions from within Windows 11. However, if you want to restore your OS you will need a Rescue Drive.
Although I haven't tried it myself, in the Home version you can add the 'rescue media' as a Boot menu option.
3. Assuming that partition 5 is for your personal information, you need to select patitions 1->4 to backup your OS.

The size of a Windows 11 OS backup is 30->50 GB; I have all my OS & user data images backed up to 4TB external HDD. Depending on how far back you to restore from - and the total size of the backups - you could get a 1T external HDD /USB drive; up to a few months ago, I had a 1TB USB drive for saving my images.

This is my OS backup selection -

View attachment 17791

More information can be found here - Macrium Reflect v8.0 User Guide

Click to expand...

Thanks for the expert comments.
Now in my case 1 drive 2 partitions, all in C, D is empty but MR shows 5 partitions. Which should I check before starting to image?

Thanks.

Alexey2912 said:

Thanks for the expert comments.
Now in my case 1 drive 2 partitions, all in C, D is empty but MR shows 5 partitions. Which should I check before starting to image?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you installed everything on C:\... then this is what you should backup...






Then if you have to restore... Windows will boot and function properly.

If you choose this option, when making a backup... Macrium will automatically check mark these partitions...

Ghot said:

If you installed everything on C:\... then this is what you should backup...

View attachment 17798




Then if you have to restore... Windows will boot and function properly.

Click to expand...

That was my query.....and uncheck 5....Correct.
Thanks.

Alexey2912 said:

That was my query.....and uncheck 5....Correct.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

5 shouldn't be check marked if you chose the option circled in RED.

The top option will backup the entire disk
The option circled in RED will backup Windows and the stuff it needs to boot
The 3rd option is there for backing up only files and folders that you select.

Ghot said:

5 shouldn't be check marked if you chose the option circled in RED.

Click to expand...

Thanks that what I meant. Uncheck/ shouldn't be check marked!