Some coaching for a Macrium Reflect newcomer, please

kado897 · Feb 15, 2023

Buddy said:
OK, some simple questions:
1-When a full image is due to be deleted because it has reached the end of its retention, are its incrementals deleted with it?
2-It looks like creating a definition also schedules the job, correct?
3-I see the Macrium manual comments about Windows Task Scheduler messing up the Daylight Savings changeover. Is it correct to assume that using the Macrium internal scheduler remains the better choice?
4-I set up the email notification for success/warning/fail, using my Gmail. I had searched the User Manual PDF for "notification" and gave up after only finding multiple mentions of email notifications, so I figured that's how they do it. Then, duh. I look in the notifications in the system tray and there's a notification of the successful full test image I did earlier. Is the Gmail notification a bad idea, or just extraneous? Do you prefer it or the system tray?

1. Yes, all dependant incrementals and/or differentials are deleted.
2. No, you schedule the definition file in a separate step.
3. I never had any issues with the Windows task scheduler, but I have used the Macrium one since they included it with no issues.
4. You only need email notifications if you are doing unattended backups. Macrium puts tray notifications anyway.

Buddy · Feb 15, 2023

@kado897 Thanks a bunch.
I went ahead with the Macrium scheduler mainly because it was simple, one-stop-shopping.
I'll probably let the email notifications proceed for a little bit and see if I like getting them. Can always discontinue them later.

TraderGary · Feb 15, 2023

Buddy said:
@TraderGary I see how OneDrive is central to your regimen, especially since you have 3 computers that need to stay in synch. And viewing OneDrive (or in my case, Google Drive) as the offsite option probably eliminates the need for physical offsite media, along with the logistical hassles of keeping it updated. That's balanced by the need for internet access (low risk), the ongoing expense of a large cloud space (at least 1TB for me) and the lower speed (higher difficulty too?) to restore a full system, not just selected files, from a cloud-based Macrium image.

The cost of my 1TB of OneDrive is minimal as I subscribe to Microsoft 365. For a single user the subscription cost is $69/year and you get all of Microsoft Office and 1 Terabyte of cloud OneDrive. I consider that an incredible bargain.

What advantage does Google Drive have over OneDrive?

kado897 · Feb 15, 2023

TraderGary said:
The cost of my 1TB of OneDrive is minimal as I subscribe to Microsoft 365. For a single user the subscription cost is $69/year and you get all of Microsoft Office and 1 Terabyte of cloud OneDrive. I consider that an incredible bargain.

What advantage does Google Drive have over OneDrive?

With Google Drive it is easy to back up any combination of folders, not just the ones MS thinks you should back up.

TraderGary · Feb 15, 2023

kado897 said:
With Google Drive it is easy to back up any folder, not just the ones MS thinks you should back up.

Fair enough. I had never considered that as I've always keep all my data and photos in folders under OneDrive.

OneDrive real-time file handling automation, creating a real-time mirror between local and cloud OneDrive, is invaluable for me. That functionality is built in to the Windows operating system. As far as I know, Google Drive can't do that.

kado897 · Feb 15, 2023

TraderGary said:
Fair enough. I had never considered that as I've always keep all my data and photos in folders under OneDrive.

OneDrive real-time file handling automation, creating a real-time mirror between local and cloud OneDrive, is invaluable for me. That functionality is built in to the Windows operating system. As far as I know, Google Drive can't do that.

Yes, Google drive updates in real time.

TraderGary · Feb 15, 2023

kado897 said:
Yes, Google drive updates in real time.

So if I modify or delete a file locally, it modifies and deletes in Google Drive at the same time, maintaining a real-time mirror?

Buddy · Feb 15, 2023

TraderGary said:
So if I modify or delete a file locally, it modifies and deletes in Google Drive at the same time, maintaining a real-time mirror?

It's your choice. It can work the same way you use OneDrive.

It can also do a one way upload. Those files can be accessed with Explorer on a pseudo drive G:\.

kado897 · Feb 15, 2023

TraderGary said:
So if I modify or delete a file locally, it modifies and deletes in Google Drive at the same time, maintaining a real-time mirror?

Yes.

kado897 · Feb 15, 2023

Buddy said:
It's your choice. It can work the same way you use OneDrive.

It can also do a one way upload. Those files can be accessed with Explorer on a pseudo drive G:\.

It's the sync'd files that you can access via the "G" drive not the "backed Up" folders. Oh and you can use another drive letter. I have mine set to "W" so it's out of the way as my main backup drive is "G".

imanlien2020 · Feb 15, 2023

TraderGary said:
My Macrium image backup is simple. I run it as an installed application directly from Windows 11. I load Macrium. I choose the option "Image This Disk", I choose to write to drive D: T7 Shield, and it makes an image of all partitions. When it's done, I click on "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" in my Tray. The red light flashes on my T7 SSD, shuts OFF, and I remove the SSD.

Hello not to highjack this thread its just that you said you use this .."2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD" I am looking at buying one of them right now. Been studying Portable SSDs and its sad to see that many brands are having severe issues(Dying in a day or week etc, files being deleted on them etc) and it seems that one you have has the least issues as far as i can tell from reviews. With all the read/write your doing how long has this SSD lasted you? And have you had any issues? I can get a 1TB one at Best Buy right now for $89. I used to use WD Passports and loved them but apparently they are having a lot of memory issues as are many other brands, so as not to lose my backups or any other personal data/files is really why Im asking you. Ty

TraderGary · Feb 15, 2023

imanlien2020 said:
Hello not to highjack this thread its just that you said you use this .."2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD" I am looking at buying one of them right now. Been studying Portable SSDs and its sad to see that many brands are having severe issues(Dying in a day or week etc, files being deleted on them etc) and it seems that one you have has the least issues as far as i can tell from reviews. With all the read/write your doing how long has this SSD lasted you? And have you had any issues? I can get a 1TB one at Best Buy right now for $89. I used to use WD Passports and loved them but apparently they are having a lot of memory issues as are many other brands, so as not to lose my backups or any other personal data/files is really why Im asking you. Ty

The Samsung T7 Shield was introduced in April of 2022. I bought two 2TB Shields at that time and I've used them for backups every day since. One is dedicated for Microsoft File History backups and one is dedicated for Macrium Reflect image backups. They are only connected during backups and are connected to one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports on this computer. Click on "My Computers" below. I occasionally run a command "chkdsk" on them to check integrity. There has never been a problem with either T7 Shield drive. I would buy them again. Amazon had the lowest price when I bought these.

trevo · Feb 15, 2023

imanlien2020 said:
Hello not to highjack this thread its just that you said you use this .."2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD" I am looking at buying one of them right now. Been studying Portable SSDs and its sad to see that many brands are having severe issues(Dying in a day or week etc, files being deleted on them etc) and it seems that one you have has the least issues as far as i can tell from reviews. With all the read/write your doing how long has this SSD lasted you? And have you had any issues? I can get a 1TB one at Best Buy right now for $89. I used to use WD Passports and loved them but apparently they are having a lot of memory issues as are many other brands, so as not to lose my backups or any other personal data/files is really why Im asking you. Ty

I bought the SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD a few months ago for $89 on Amazon. I read the reviews and it was highly rated; I have had no problems.
It runs cooler than 2 other brands I use and is quick in my experience.

cheaterslick · Feb 18, 2023

imanlien2020 said:
Hello not to highjack this thread its just that you said you use this .."2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD" I am looking at buying one of them right now. Been studying Portable SSDs and its sad to see that many brands are having severe issues(Dying in a day or week etc, files being deleted on them etc) and it seems that one you have has the least issues as far as i can tell from reviews. With all the read/write your doing how long has this SSD lasted you? And have you had any issues? I can get a 1TB one at Best Buy right now for $89. I used to use WD Passports and loved them but apparently they are having a lot of memory issues as are many other brands, so as not to lose my backups or any other personal data/files is really why Im asking you. Ty

I've been using older Samsung T5s for almost 3 years now and haven't had a any problems

Samsung T5

I do occasionally use the latest Samsung Magician to check to see if there are any issues, and check if there's any newer firmware that goes with them.

cereberus · Feb 18, 2023

TraderGary said:
Fair enough. I had never considered that as I've always keep all my data and photos in folders under OneDrive.

OneDrive real-time file handling automation, creating a real-time mirror between local and cloud OneDrive, is invaluable for me. That functionality is built in to the Windows operating system. As far as I know, Google Drive can't do that.

This tutorial shows how you can easily sync any folder with onedrive.

Sync Any Folder to OneDrive in Windows 10

How to Sync Any Folder to OneDrive in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

The one key feature of onedrive is its Files On Demand that sets it above others.

kado897 · Feb 18, 2023

cereberus said:
This tutorial shows how you can easily sync any folder with onedrive.

Sync Any Folder to OneDrive in Windows 10

How to Sync Any Folder to OneDrive in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

The one key feature of onedrive is its Files On Demand that sets it above others.

The problem is that this only partially works. Yes the folder syncs, but not in real time. it only updates itself when OneDrive starts and does a complete scan. I've tried it with both junctions and symbolic links.

TraderGary · Feb 18, 2023

kado897 said:
The problem is that this only partially works. Yes the folder syncs, but not in real time. it only updates itself when OneDrive starts and does a complete scan. I've tried it with both junctions and symbolic links.

This is not my experience. Look at "My Computers" below.

My "System One" has Files On Demand turned OFF. Local OneDrive and cloud OneDrive are always in sync.

My "System Two" has Files On Demand turned ON. Local OneDrive files that are synced On Demand are always in sync with cloud OneDrive.

Of course cloud OneDrive is always the same on both computers as it is identically the same cloud OneDrive.

My two computers are always in sync and update each other in real-time. Of course real-time requires a few seconds of Internet server response, but with any file changes or deletions, the two computers are in sync within a few seconds.

@kado897, what kind of Internet connection do you have and how fast is it? Mine is a reasonably fast 900/24 XFinity cable connection.

kado897 · Feb 18, 2023

TraderGary said:
This is not my experience. Look at "My Computers" below.

My "System One" has Files On Demand turned OFF. Local OneDrive and cloud OneDrive are always in sync.

My "System Two" has Files On Demand turned ON. Local OneDrive files that are synced On Demand are always in sync with cloud OneDrive.

Of course cloud OneDrive is always the same on both computers as it is identically the same cloud OneDrive.

My two computers are always in sync and update each other in real-time. Of course real-time requires a few seconds of Internet server response, but with any file changes or deletions, the two computers are in sync within a few seconds.

@kado897, what kind of Internet connection do you have and how fast is it? Mine is a reasonably fast 900/24 XFinity cable connection.

I have a 250/24Mb fiber connection.

KWEB · Feb 18, 2023

I image just before monthly Windows update. The only thing I lose is new email.

Buddy · Feb 18, 2023

Next question:

Reading threads here, it seems that a popular practice is to keep data on a partition or physical drive separate from Windows and program installations. Backup is then an image of the system drive and, separately, either an image or file sync of the data partition or drive.

What I've got right now is this:
System and data are all on the C:\ drive.
Macrium image of the full drive taken monthly before Windows updates, daily incremental.
FreeFileSync data sync four times a day.
Both MR and FFS backups are run by scheduler, so I don't have to think about it.

If I were to partition the system SSD, move my data to its own drive partition, and drop it from the Macrium image job, I realize I'd have shorter backup times (once a month) for my full Macrium images, as well as smaller full and incremental image files. But, I'd lose some redundancy if I stopped including the data in the Macrium image.

It seems to me that some run time (unattended anyway) and some HDD space (I've got an excess of that) are less valuable than the redundancy. Your thoughts?

Some coaching for a Macrium Reflect newcomer, please

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