Any good /free OS/SSD cloning/back up software recommendations?

[Slap]

I want to back up my OS/Pc's SSD disk to a usb SSD and also clone/transfer my OS/PC's SSD to a secondary larger one in same PC

Many thanks

 

[Slap]

Many thanks Chap!

 

[Slap]

The free version macrium should work fine
For a good while
Unless windows makes a major file system change
Only had it happen once
In all the years I have used macrium
Windows updated something
I think it was to do with shadow volume copy file system
Or something like that
Forgot the exact details
But it messed up macrium again forgot exactly how

Have just started testing hasleo free backup
Made images and bootable rescue usb
But not actually tested restore of an image yet
Even though I like macrium
Even my backup software involves a backup plan lol
So images from 2 softwares won't hurt

There's also the built in windows image creator
Only tried that once years ago
And it failed to restore
So never tried it since

If you're OK with a bit of command line use Windows DISM

Use the Windows setup USB to boot the PC.

At any setup screen press SHFT+F10 to open a command window

Use diskpart to identify the disk you want to capture

Capture the entire disk (all partitions) as an FFU

DISM /capture-ffu /imagefile=d:\backup.ffu /capturedrive=\\.\PhysicalDrive0 /name:disk0 /description:"Windows 11 Backup"

To apply\restore the FFU

DISM /apply-ffu /ImageFile=d:\backup.ffu /ApplyDrive:\\.\PhysicalDrive0

If creating the FFU internally from NVMe to NVMe a 30GB file takes <3 mins to write.

The only downside compared to a WIM (partition only) is the FFU needs to be restored to a disk of the same size or larger, even if the actual FFU is only a few GBs. And you can't mount the FFU like you can a WIM to read, copy or edit induvial files. But backups and restores are super quick, can also be done from the Windows recovery options if you don't want to boot from a USB.

Thank you for all this info chaps!

 

[Slap]

I went for a years subscription on the Acronis Cyber Suite in the end. Figured it was a minimal investment to layout for peace of mind and all the extras that comes with it, all in a smooth polished idiot-proof user-interface/product.

 

[Slap]

Got acronis free with some stuff I bought
May have been Sn850x drives
Or my motherboard
Forgot now
It wouldn't even run
Just gave an acronis schedule error message
Even after doing what acronis support told me
Still didn't work

If it does what you want fair enough
Though until you do a successful recovery
Total peace of mind isn't guaranteed

I feel your pain... sorry to hear Mcnumpty.

I guess worst case scenario for me is having to install Widows from scratch if there is a fail on cloning. I've backed up all the important stuff to me onto an external 2Tb ssd for good measures.
I'll.post back with results once I upgrade the case and a few parts over the next day or two.

Tally ho!