Solved Shall I install my paid for Macrium Reflect Home ...

Haydon · Dec 23, 2023

... in my new W11 machine?

I did my data transfer from the old W10 machine to the new W11 machine using RoboCopy. The data transfer went so smooth, I gained lots and lots more confidence in RoboCopy. So that's my reliable data backup now.

I then configured OS and apps, and things went smooth in this regard, too. I also created a Recovery Drive on the machine itself, and saved the drivers in a data folder that gets backed up. So that covers rebuilding the machine on bare metal if need be. Based on my computing history that happens less often than total solar eclipses.

Further, the Recovery Options below (and this forum) make me feel I don't need to install my paid for Macrium Reflect Home (I'm disinclined to install apps that I don't need)

Thoughts?

Recovery options in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.

support.microsoft.com

Ghot · Dec 23, 2023

I don't know where I've seen it written, but... "You can never have too much backup".

One of these days, your Rube Goldberg solution is gonna break. When that time comes, it'd be nice to have a Macrium backup. ^^

Rube Goldberg machine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Berton · Dec 23, 2023

Good question and the first answer to obtain is whether the license for the program allows for a transfer to a different computer, some don't and some include a multi-machine provision. One issue between computers will be the difference in drivers and whether a problem will exist in the restore to the newer one. I'll be doing one after the client is back home in a week or so, going from a 2013 computer to the new one 2 weeks ago.

Fabler2 · Dec 23, 2023

Create a backup of the machine, now you've set it up to your liking, using Macrium's recovery drive. That should work without installing Reflect.
The only time you need it installed is if you need to update it and the recovery drive.

cereberus · Dec 23, 2023

Berton said:
Good question and the first answer to obtain is whether the license for the program allows for a transfer to a different computer, some don't and some include a multi-machine provision. One issue between computers will be the difference in drivers and whether a problem will exist in the restore to the newer one. I'll be doing one after the client is back home in a week or so, going from a 2013 computer to the new one 2 weeks ago.

You can remove MRH licence from a pc and then licence a new pc.

Bree · Dec 23, 2023

Haydon said:
Shall I install my paid for Macrium Reflect Home ... in my new W11 machine?

Berton said:
Good question and the first answer to obtain is whether the license for the program allows for a transfer to a different computer...

cereberus said:
You can remove MRH licence from a pc and then licence a new pc.

I have done that a few times, it's quite straight forward. Here's how....

Removing your License key when Upgrading your PC - Knowledgebase 8.0 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

knowledgebase.macrium.com

By default removing a licence from a PC will also uninstall Reflect. Up to v8.0 if you chose not to uninstall it would revert to Reflect Free. From v8.1 on it now reverts to a 'Restore Only' version.

Ghot said:
I don't know where I've seen it written, but... "You can never have too much backup".

Probably me, I'm always posting that you can never have enough backups :wink:

I have a 4-pack of Home licences, but I have more machines than licences, for all the rest I install Reflect Free.

Haydon · Dec 23, 2023

I created a device specific OEM Recovery Drive, and lo and behold the USB stick is partitioned, G: and H: (D: is one of my three backup media that I rotate on a weekly basis) H: contains an osri folder which has the drivers. And with that my mild case of paranoia is cured

I will mark this thread 'Solved'

Thanks to all who responded