System backup - really easy - no extra software needed


jimbo45

jimbo45

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Hi folks
These days with Subscription models or "Go Pro" where the features you want are extra paid for things - why not for system backups switch to using Virtual hard disks (vhdx or vhd) drives. Then simply use Windows explorer to copy the vhd(x) file to backup.

HDD space isn't usually a problem these days, a decent Windows system image with loads of apps on it can be 50 - 90 GB etc and backup only takes around 10 mins with decent hardware.

A lot of the software on offer these days is really trying to solve C20 problems on legacy hardware. I've totally no need for Macrium etc these days.

Note DATA backup / Archive backup e.g video, music, etc is another issue which is totally separate from Systerm backup plus everybody has different needs. Also with cheap decent cloud storage really important stuff can be readily backed up to and retrieved from the cloud server.

Screenshot 2026-05-21 110811.webp



Cheers
jimbo
 

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I have several VHDs and VHDXs running in Oracle's VirtualBox plus a Native Boot VHDX.

But the VirtualBox machines are slower because the hardware is virtualised.

What is your method and do you no longer operate real machines? Can you turn a virtual machine int a real one?
 

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jimbo45 said:
HDD space isn't usually a problem these days, a decent Windows system image with loads of apps on it can be 50 - 90 GB etc and backup only takes around 10 mins with decent hardware.
Click to expand...
It takes me less than half that time using Macrium X... "really easy"?
 

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trevo said:
It takes me less than half that time using Macrium X... "really easy"?
Click to expand...
Time wasn't the issue -- I was referring to FREE or NON subscription ways to do this !!!

cheers
jimbo
 

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jimbo45 said:
- why not for system backups switch to using Virtual hard disks (vhdx or vhd) drives. Then simply use Windows explorer to copy the vhd(x) file to backup.
Click to expand...

You haven't explained how to create a system backup vhd(x) file.
 

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jimbo45 said:
Time wasn't the issue -- I was referring to FREE or NON subscription ways to do this !!!

cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
Nothing is "free". Everything has a "cost", in time and/or money.
Me, I choose to subscribe to MacriumX for my systems backups because the yearly cost is well worth the time savings to me.
For $25/year/system, the cost is minuscule compared to what it would cost me if I lost a system disk image or any data disk image.
You may have different priorities, of course.
 
Last edited:

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BruceR said:
You haven't explained how to create a system backup vhd(x) file.
Click to expand...
learn.microsoft.com

wbadmin start backup

Reference article for the wbadmin start backup command, which creates a backup using specified parameters.
learn.microsoft.com

not all the commands are available in consumer editions. The basic start backup commands are

for example:

-allCritical Specifies that all critical volumes (volumes that contain operating system's state) be included in the backups. This parameter is useful if you're creating a backup for bare metal recovery. It should be used only when -backupTarget is specified, otherwise the command fails. Can be used with the -include option.
Click to expand...

at admin cmd prompt

WBADMIN START BACKUP -backupTarget:Q: -allcritical

wbadmin-start backup.webp


or

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:T: -include:C:

it will warn you that is not enough for bare metal restore
 
Last edited:

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jimbo45 said:
Time wasn't the issue -- I was referring to FREE or NON subscription ways to do this !!!

cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
Free? Hasleo Backup Suite Free. A real backup app that provides convenient backup capabilities, and a USB bootable recovery capability.
 

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