Why should I choose Macrium Reflect?

TheMystic said:

1. I don't like the fact that they don't give you the link to download the actual program. They only give you an installer link, which then downloads the program for you. This itself raises a few questions on privacy.

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Thee link they give you is a small download agent. This downloads the the full offline installer with a choice of various options. It would be impractical (and confusing) to provide links for all 16 of those options on the web site. Whether you run the installer immediately, or save it to use for multiple offline installs is also up to you. I don't see how this raises any privacy issues.

TheMystic said:

1. What are your reasons to choose Macrium Reflect despite the above?

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The free version meets the requirements of most users. Even though you can't ask for support on the Macrium forum website if you don't own a paid license, you can still read answers to questions that have been asked by those who do, and, as a result from this plus the fact that those who have paid are often a bit more familiar with the product than most, there's a very high chance that most users will find the right answers to any questions that they might have. I.e., the most common questions have usually already been asked by those who paid─and answered by Macrium support. In addition to this, good quality tutorials about how to use the product are numerous, both here and elsewhere on the internet. The large userbase also means that finding them should be an easy task. This also largely compensates the fact that the UI can be confusing to those who are new to it. The fact it lacks some advanced features that most people don't need is what compensates this further still. So, I choose Macrium Reflect each time when an average user asks me which product do I recommend, and, this also saves the time to have to keep explaining about these advanced features, albeit each time when I need to use a product myself, I always choose a different product, mainly because I depend on these same advanced features a lot.

TheMystic said:

2. What can Macrium Reflect do that built-in utilities can't?

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Besides adding a UI that shows a bit of extra info, it can't do that much more IMO, but maybe I am bias because I have gotten used to a different product that can, and, like I already tried to point out previously, it does add enough extras to satisfy the needs of most users.

TheMystic said:

3. Why do you think Macrium Reflect is the best among competition?

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Why should I think that it is?

TheMystic said:

The built-in Windows System Image utility is good for the most part, but comes with limitations:

1. It can only be restored if partitions on your disk have not changed since the image was taken. If you force a restore, you will lose your existing partitions and the data in them.
2. It can only be used on the source machine that was imaged.

The default Recovery Disk created using built-in utilities is good enough to get your system up and running if you have an image backup like the one described above. If you have a working Recovery partition, then the Recovery Disk isn't even required.

Since I haven't used the program extensively, I may be missing something. I am in interest in the following:

1. What are your reasons to choose Macrium Reflect despite the above?
2. What can Macrium Reflect do that built-in utilities can't?
3. Why do you think Macrium Reflect is the best among competition?

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The main and most significant objection to using the built-in Windows System Image Backup is the complete lack of any support or development from Microsoft. Development stopped when Microsoft declared this to be a deprecated feature four years ago, and recommended you use a third-party imaging solution instead.

Microsoft said:

System Image Backup (SIB) Solution
We recommend that users use full-disk backup solutions from other vendors

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Features removed or Deprecated in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Personally I relied on the built-in system imaging exclusively until Microsoft completely broke it for the 32-bit version of Windows 10 1803, not bothering to correct this until the release of 1809 six months later.

Bree said:

Thee link they give you is a small download agent. This downloads the the full offline installer with a choice of various options. It would be impractical (and confusing) to provide links for all 16 of those options on the web site. Whether you run the installer immediately, or save it to use for multiple offline installs is also up to you. I don't see how this raises any privacy issues.

View attachment 16107

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The reason I am skeptical is because it keeps asking for an email ID to begin with. Fortunately, the user can skip it or use a fake email ID to get the Downloader. Some companies require an email and they'll email the download link to that address. Fortunately, Macrium hasn't gone that far.

I'm not saying that the Downloader has no function. Companies tend to do much more than what meets the eye. In this case, if they host a direct link for an offline Installer, user can simply download the program anonymously, install it and use it without granting it internet access.

But when you REQUIRE that the user MUST INSTALL a Downloader first, which will then download the actual program, you are essentially having access to the user's system, atleast during the period that the download happens. During that period, the Downloader may have the ability to gather certain information from the end users system, like device configuration, location, IP address, accounts in the system, etc.

Again, I'm not saying Macrium is indeed doing this, but this is very much a possibility.

IMO, all companies that engage in similar practices should stop calling their products free. They must replace 'Free' with 'Pay with Data'.

Most companies do provide a link to Offline Installers, in addition to a Downloader. Nothing stops Macrium from doing the same if their product is indeed 'free'.

hdmi said:

The free version meets the requirements of most users. Even though you can't ask for support on the Macrium forum website if you don't own a paid license, you can still read answers to questions that have been asked by those who do, and, as a result from this plus the fact that those who have paid are often a bit more familiar with the product than most, there's a very high chance that most users will find the right answers to any questions that they might have. I.e., the most common questions have usually already been asked by those who paid─and answered by Macrium support. In addition to this, good quality tutorials about how to use the product are numerous, both here and elsewhere on the internet. The large userbase also means that finding them should be an easy task. This also largely compensates the fact that the UI can be confusing to those who are new to it. The fact it lacks some advanced features that most people don't need is what compensates this further still. So, I choose Macrium Reflect each time when an average user asks me which product do I recommend, and, this also saves the time to have to keep explaining about these advanced features, albeit each time when I need to use a product myself, I always choose a different product, mainly because I depend on these same advanced features a lot.

Besides adding a UI that shows a bit of extra info, it can't do that much more IMO, but maybe I am bias because I have gotten used to a different product that can, and, like I already tried to point out previously, it does add enough extras to satisfy the needs of most users.

Why should I think that it is?

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Let me guess: are you using Acronis True Image?

Bree said:

The main and most significant objection to using the built-in Windows System Image Backup is the complete lack of any support or development from Microsoft. Development stopped when Microsoft declared this to be a deprecated feature four years ago, and recommended you use a third-party imaging solution instead.


Features removed or Deprecated in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Personally I relied on the built-in system imaging exclusively until Microsoft completely broke it for the 32-bit version of Windows 10 1803, not bothering to correct this until the release of 1809 six months later.

1803 creating a system image fails with RPC server error 0x800706BA - Windows 10 Help Forums

In 1803 build 17134.1 32-bit (x86) as released on 30th April creating a system image fails with "The RPC server is unavailable. (0x800706BA)". This happens with an upgrade or a clean install. Creating a system image works correctly in 1803 x64,

www.tenforums.com

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I didn't know that this is now a deprecated feature. Thanks for letting me know that. But it has been working for me so far.

But now I have moved to DISM and Deployment Tools. :)

My internal disk had a dual boot setup, one Windows 10 and another Windows 11.

Last week I got my new Crucial MX500. I partitioned it according to my liking. Booted into Recovery and created an install.wim file for both the OS. I then applied them to the partitions on the new disk. I also configured the EFI partition properly.

When I tried to boot, the disk only booted from the Windows 10 partition and with Windows 11, I got a black screen that did nothing.

So I booted into Windows 10, installed Macrium Reflect and cloned the Windows 11 partition from my old disk to the new disk. Now Windows 11 booted fine from the new disk, i.e. I successfully migrated all my data from the old disk to the new disk.

Can someone tell me why Windows 11 didn't boot? DISM was able to create and apply the image successfully without errors, yet the device didn't boot.

I was happy with what Macrium did but then the question is do I have to keep it installed and use it exclusively. I would definitely prefer built-in utilities over 3rd party, unless there is something absolutely stunning with the 3rd party solutions.

TheMystic said:

I didn't know that this is now a deprecated feature. Thanks for letting me know that. But it has been working for me so far.

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When it works it's a reliable restore. When it fails it's usually because, for no readily discernible reason, it can't recognise a perfectly good image as being available to restore. Google for "Windows cannot find a system image on this computer" finds plenty of examples.

Why did I choose Macrium over all other alternatives? Purely because it was the first one I tested, and having been 100% reliable in the three years or so I've been using it I saw no reason to try any of the others

TheMystic said:

We are only talking of system backups, as in Windows system. Not file backups or disk backups.

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Hi,
I only do full system images usually monthly
I also have 2 other offline hdd's dedicated for personal files and of course system image hdd's are always offline.

I also only use reflect winpe boot recovery media to create and obviously restore images so I have no idea what "resource hog" you're referring to in the op seeing reflect in the op does nothing I could very well uninstall reflect seeing I already have the most important part = winpe recovery media.

My opinion for what it's worth is Macrium Reflect is pretty much a pro package free for home use.
Dedicated 3rd Party programs tend to work better or with more options than built in ones because they specialise in that particular field.
@Ghot Did a great reference

Hi,
I stopped using reflect in the os because it failed
Winpe recovery media has never failed.

Personally I only use Macrium for system images for convenience.
If I can save a copy of my OS with current updates and installed apps periodically (mostly utilities, my production apps are installed on other drives) and restore it with "one click" then I am content, I could re install everything from scratch and update it all, but that is a pain, and I am lazy.
Any data I consider of value to me is backed up with a bit to bit uncompressed copy on various drives and other media.
The reason for this method is because the Windows file system very rarely changes and maintains backwards compatibility for a very long time, whereas a compressed backup relies on the original program that created the compressed file being able to read the file format and extract the data.
Apps change much more frequently, and are more prone to "issues" that could render your compressed backups unusable.
Yes disks fail, the file system could fail, other media can fail, the world could end, but removing compression (especially 3rd party) from the equation, even though using more storage space, gives me the best chance of being able to access my valuable data for longer.
As for Macriums requirements in order to download and install the app, I don't care.
Nearly every connected device harvests some personal data, TVs, PCs, phones, cars, printers... the list goes on, then nearly all apps harvest data, from office style to games and websites, and most "punch" holes in firewalls without asking permission.
I am careful with the data on my devices, that is a lot easier to control than trying to lockdown systems but remain connected and functional (seems like a never ending job), at least to my mind as far as data harvesting goes.
Just the way I do it. You do you. :)

@TheMystic

Macrium Reflect v8 (paid), only punches holes in firewalls for 3 reasons.
Same for Macrium Reflect v7.2 (free), if I recall correctly.

To install, to update, and to rebuild the rescue media.
During install ReflectUI.exe needs internet access for one time only. After install, it can be blocked in the firewall.

The other two (reflectupdater.exe and rmbuilder.exe), need internet access when you either update MR or rebuild the rescue media. Just set these two to "blocked" until you need to use them.

Macrium Reflect runs 3 processes, and one Service.

The only backup software I've ever used that uses less, was Norton Ghost 2003.
And all it did was make backups, restore, and make the bootable media. No frills at all.

TheMystic said:

The reason I am skeptical is because it keeps asking for an email ID to begin with. Fortunately, the user can skip it or use a fake email ID to get the Downloader. Some companies require an email and they'll email the download link to that address. Fortunately, Macrium hasn't gone that far.

I'm not saying that the Downloader has no function. Companies tend to do much more than what meets the eye. In this case, if they host a direct link for an offline Installer, user can simply download the program anonymously, install it and use it without granting it internet access.

But when you REQUIRE that the user MUST INSTALL a Downloader first, which will then download the actual program, you are essentially having access to the user's system, atleast during the period that the download happens. During that period, the Downloader may have the ability to gather certain information from the end users system, like device configuration, location, IP address, accounts in the system, etc.

Again, I'm not saying Macrium is indeed doing this, but this is very much a possibility.

IMO, all companies that engage in similar practices should stop calling their products free. They must replace 'Free' with 'Pay with Data'.

Most companies do provide a link to Offline Installers, in addition to a Downloader. Nothing stops Macrium from doing the same if their product is indeed 'free'.

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I don't believe you can do this with the Paid version as MR has your Email Address along with your key.

Porthos said:

Some home users do more than check email and do social media. You do know there is a thing called ransomware that encrypts all documents pictures music and videos on a computer.

Some home users actually work from home as well.

It is easier to restore a Macrium image than to reinstall the OS and its software and customizations.

Some prefer to store their life on a computer than using cloud options. I have a client who has 600 gigs of family photos and videos on his computer and would not want to lose that for any reason.

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I make an incremental image of my system drive every day, with a new Full backup every Sunday. If anything goes wrong such as a bad install I can just roll back to that morning's backup.

Pictures and documents are backed up daily to an external disk, they're not stored on the C: drive

I have the paid version of Macrium and have never regretted buying it. It's always worked without fail, unlike Windows image backup which didn't work when I used it.

Let's correct some errors.

1} the background service is not mandatory. I usually disable it.

2)Size is relative. If you use WinRe mode, it does not download much at all.

You have started with a very negative review but sadly have not actually tested in detail.

For example try the following (I suggest using a virtual machine)

Download the free versiom, make a backup of OS, change something, then do a restore and time it.

Then download the trial version and install that and do the same. Pick your laughing gear off the floor as you will be gobsmacked at time difference.

Now create image of main drive, and open it as a virtual machine (HyperV or virtual box). Show me how to do that using install.wim

All that stuff about security risk is just unsubstantiated nonsense. Paramount is a well respected Company with over 5 million users of Reflect (I asked them). Of all the competition, I trust them more.


Comparing the flexibility of Reflect with creating a wim is like saying I do not need a dishwasher as I can do all I need manually with a washing up bowl and squeezee pad.

Instead of asking us why most here like Reflect, why not do what I and many others on this and sister forums have done and test all the main players and find out for yourself?

For example - How many of the main packages will successfully image and restore 32GB 32bit UEFO tablets for example. I tried all the main players on my tablet and only two did that - most gave up the ghost at 32bit UEFI. Macrium Reflect was the one of the two.

On a specialist tablet forum, they had devised a very complicated way of using Linux, saying it could not be backed up with a Windows based tool. After I showed them how to do it with Reflect, deathly silence LOL.

Incidentally, look up @Kari's FFU tutorial for a much better way to make image backups with Windows than slow install.wims.

So next time you do such reviews, I suggest you test the app properly and give a properly balanced review based on proper research. I could be forgiven for thinking you are just being deliberately provocative, and frankly that is just tedious.

BrianInEngland said:

they're not stored on the C: drive

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If the computer is a single drive computer you have all data on the drive so making images is the best choice.

Porthos said:

If the computer is a single drive computer you have all data on the drive so making images is the best choice.

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Data should ALWAYS be in a separate partition, or you are increasing the risks by a big multiple.

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
I only do full system images usually monthly
I also have 2 other offline hdd's dedicated for personal files and of course system image hdd's are always offline.

I also only use reflect winpe boot recovery media to create and obviously restore images so I have no idea what "resource hog" you're referring to in the op seeing reflect in the op does nothing I could very well uninstall reflect seeing I already have the most important part = winpe recovery media.

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Those 4 points were just possibilities for 3rd party programs, and not specific to Macrium.