Best FREE image backup for Windows 10/11

That's what the "needed WinPE-based Rescue Media" is. It can make a BOOTable UFD directly or an ISO file which you may use to create either a UFD or a CD/DVD BOOTable media with one of many utilities (I use "Rufus").

 

I'm not saying PCWorld is right or wrong in this particular case, but I wouldn't put too much faith in IT review sites.
I've seen so many mistakes over the years. I think some take shortcuts to fill their pages.

 

It's strange how Paragon Backup & Recovery Community Edition, which is the current name for their free version, could highlight all the features on their webpage, but not actually include it.
Previous versions certainly did drive and partition imaging. If it doesn't have that, then it would only be a file backup application. Very different to how it describes it on their site.

The confusing and contradictory part is the comparison chart at the bottom of the page.

I guess the only way to really know would be to test it.

 

I also would recommend Veeam Agent, it is reliable and free. The reason I don't use it anymore is that having another software to backup is IMO unnecessary and a waste of time, given the fact that Macrium has never failed in more than a hundred restores.

 

As Post #26 stated, it does. With a tiny bit of work, you can also take the "boot.wim" created on the Rescue Media and create access to it in your Windows BOOT Menu if you like that kind of access to your Rescue Media. I do this during my testing phase for quick access to my Rescue Media environment without needing a UFD or CD/DVD.

 

Good option @TheRollbackFrog and following through your various posts on that subject it finally got through this hard head of mine that adding to the system's Boot Menu is an even better efficient practice. Appreciate your insight and convincing results of your own practice including it.

 

@EASTER - "Long ago... in a galaxy far away"... well, a few years anyway

I kept running into issues with software of all kinds trying to add image availability to one's BOOT menu... all kinds of different failures, but almost never had issues using the same software's ISO creation option. Since ISOs could almost always be made into BOOT media (with tools like "Rufus"), there were no issues creating either BOOTable UFDs or CD/DVDs. Since I was already using "EasyBCD" to manage my BOOT menu, I started extracting the WIM file from the created ISOs (I use "UltraISO" <many other apps do this>) or just copying it from BOOTable UFDs, then allowing "EasyBCD" to install that WIM as an executable BOOT menu option. Ever since then I've never used anything else to manage my BCD Store (Windows BOOT Option Menu). And for apps that don't offer a BOOT menu addition at all (Hasleo), but do create WinPE-based UFDs/ISOs... "EasyBCD" makes the addition of these apps to the BOOT menu, if needed, very easy.

I've just never looked back...

 

Another view, with another mention for Hasleo: https://davescomputertips.com/macrium-reflect-free-version-to-be-retired/

Until the recent announcement of the retirement of MR Free, I had never heard of it before.

 

Thanks for the shared reference. My own expressed frustration over Macrium free going away in the Macrium thread drew some criticism, but i always have and will speak up for those user's who are not as fortunate as most others. And the irony of it is i have never used the free version not once. Mine is always been authentic licensed subscriptions. But their seemingly brash/rush announcement discontinuing the free version for those folks who have relied on it, and of all things just before Christmas Holidays, doesn't exactly sit very well.

I also agree that they could have transitioned those user's (which apparently is far more than i imagined) over to a lesser priced home version to help accommodate with these times we're in.

All that said one can't help but point a finger directly at Microsoft which with their aggressive and ever changing updates constantly distorting good software & forcing developers to increasing efforts and demands on that industry to have to re-make constant changes just to keep their programs useable for that platform.

In addition and conclusion, it's timely that Hasleo Backup Suite is stepped out on stage!

 

If I were choosing a free solution it'd be Clonezilla.

 

The community version of Paragon does indeed have the ability to image a single partition. By default it selects the whole disk, but you can unselect the partitions you do not want to image.

The only issue is that the interface is very confusing to new or novice users, so I usually recommended the free version of Macrium to such users instead.

Paragon interface is such that when you are about to backup or restore, it is very difficult to tell what partitions or disks are being restored or backed up. You can easily end up restoring to a different partition instead.

 

Which all those points made above have merit. I find Aomei Backupper (only recently onboard) indispensable and feature rich yet simple for a novice with fundamental settings understandable, reliable with excellent results. And yes i am still running full steam ahead creating and restoring with it currently and am very confident in the results it brings about.

 

I will take your word for it and note down Aomei Backup for future testing. I usually recommend Paragon or Macrium because those are the two backup software I have personally used before and have confidence in. I am sure there are other out there that are reliable and easy to operate, but its hard for me to recommend something that I have not used before.

 

One year ago i wouldn't have bat an eye at Aomei except for it's (for me) most reliable Partition Assistant which is been sparkling on numerous occasions. Paragon was the top choice on this end for years on 98 & XP with stellar results. Over time however, and newer Windows versions the changeover came for me with going with the License versions of Drive Snapshot and Macrium Reflect (neither free).

I bought the farm before getting serious with backups and would go long periods on luck alone before Moderator and long time member @Peter2150 convinced me to buckle down and choose wise selections of backup applications that proved their metal. Oh i backed up many times but didn't give them the consideration of testing restores after making them like Peter did.

Then it caught on like wildfire (necessity & benefits) and i been regularly rotating backups by restoring them on a more timely and conscious manner than before. Sometimes to a blank wiped disk or simply deleting partitions and overlaying instead of just dropping the restore onto a fudged disk or partition. Which worked by the way, but Peter encouraged me to clean away a disk then restore the overlay (backup) without it having to nudge on and over already existing data laying scrambled underneath. Either way much is happened since those days and now the top leaders have ramped up their research making this important task better and with virtually no sudden issues like use to be common.

Haven't tested Active@ Backup yet but i hear say they are right up there as well keeping pace with competitive industry leaders which goes a long way in beefing up home user's confidence in that practice.

 

Competition is always nice and keeps everyone on their toes. Its good that there are many good imaging utilities out there now.

Disk imaging is a god send. It solves so many issues and headaches that one wonders how people used to cope without it. Before imaging was a thing, I used to do backups of my important data by just physically copying the data to an external disk, but since I started imaging way back in the early 2000's, I could then install and test software, even dodgy ones, or tinker with my OS at will without any worry at all. I honestly would not have learned so much about Windows or various software if disk imaging had not been invented.

But after reading your detailed post a question occurred to me, why would you use so many different backup utilities? For example, I have been only using Macrium since I switched to it over 10 years ago. I have not used any other backup utility. I do have an older version of Paragon Hard Disk Manager, but I mostly use it for its partitioning and have not actually restored with Paragon in a very long time. So why would you use 3-4 backup utilities at the same time?

 

I suppose that the more interest in newer innovative ideas got the better of me like it does most when it comes to these machines, especially the software's that you discover, sometimes by accident, reference, or purely at random. One program needs only add a newer more convenient feature to either save you time & effort, OR some simple curiosity that shows certain potential advantages in making the computing experience more efficient without hassle. That's the best answer i can arrive at to address the additions if not the interest in variety.

I long settled on Drive Snapshot + Macrium Reflect. The latter is always been more automated for me. Drive Snapshot also is automated but requires some unique command line scripting that various members here have shared that without them, DS would remained a manual type of plain backup solution with nothing more except that i never had a single failed restore in over 10 years or more. It was one of those first backup programs that continues to prove it's test of time over a much greater span than any other i'm aware of. Plus it's kind of simple, lightweight, and reasonably fast despite not running a race to achieve it's ultimate design. That is effective trouble free backups and dependable restores.

 

I prefer to have more than one backup/program for extra insurance, plus I enjoy it. I don't care how wonderful a program is, even the best can very rarely fail. In my case, my favorite program, Raxco's Instant Recovery, has failed me just once in nearly 20 years of use, and Macrium saved me. Macrium has failed me just once due to user (me) error, so Macrium actually did not fail me but you get the picture; I need another program for my own mistakes if nothing else.
Acadia

 

Me too. MRF one day Veeam the next day and so it goes on. Each backup to a different repository. Just to be on the safe side ...

 

Is it worth compromising with a free imaging app when owning a full imaging app (with all the bells and whistles) only costs a few cents per week over its lifespan?

 

Thanks for the clarification, Raza.
It would have been a bit odd if it didn't.

 

Finally got around to installing Veeam Agent For Microsoft Windows and so far, I love it. It's faster than Macrium Reflect Free. Creating an image of my c:\ drive with the operating system using the default 'Optimized' compression onto another drive (both drives are SSD). took 21 minutes 59 seconds to compress the c:\ drive which is 105 gigs to 76.2 gigs. I created another backup image with no compression and was surprised to see it was faster which took 20 minutes 31 seconds to turn 105 gigs to a 101 gig image file. Veeam is a very simple program which is exactly what I was looking for but has the extras like encrypting the image, scheduling backups, choice of entire computer, volume/disk or file/folder backup and choice of restore options like ISO, usb, CD/DVD, SD card, etc.. I also love that the restore option includes network connection settings and hardware drivers or the option to manually choose your drivers. Took me about 4 minutes to create a bootable restore usb. Overall, excellent software from what I've experienced so far.

Next, I'll try out the other two options that seem like popular recommendations which interest me. Paragon and Aomei Backupper. I believe someone posted that Paragon can create just an image of the c:\ drive without including all the other internal drives so it's back on my list to try out. Thanks again so much for taking the time to post in this thread with some useful info! Hope this helps others out looking for an additional or replacement option for Macrium Reflect Free.

 

Hi, DjKilla.
Is Veeam Agent For Microsoft Windows as complicated as this instructional video makes it look?

Code:

How To Do A Backup With Veeam Agent For Windows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xbaElRa7zM

Also, I looked on the website, and it doesn't display much about its interface.

 

For info, the current Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows release doesn't officially support Windows 11 22H2.

 

With me it is different, I usually start by trying out different products to find the one I like, but then stick with that one good product until it lets me down. It is only then I will change to a different product.

I still do try out other newer software just for curiosity, but they usually do not become my go to product.

 

Oh god no! It's super simple and straight forward. The following video is what it looks like and shows how to use it.

Code:

How to Backup a Windows Computer for Free Using Veeam Agent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i05O4ZBbNpo