Any recommendations for free cloning software that also allows creation of bootable media for rescue purposes

Spudgun · 8 Nov 2023 at 16:01

I've been using the version of Acronis that came with a Crucial drive I purchased, but it has become so slow and unreliable and hangs for ages on even the most basic tasks now that I am on the latest version of windows 11.

Are there any other options available that are useful for creation of an image of my boot drive in case disasters and also allow the creation of bootable USB drives so that I can access my backup images that are hosted on another local drive and NAS?

Many thanks for any help offered :-)

Troezar · 8 Nov 2023 at 16:10

Try Macrium Reflect. I've used it recently and it was very easy to use.

Spudgun · 8 Nov 2023 at 22:50

Thank you

darael · 8 Nov 2023 at 22:58

I'm not sure if Macrium Reflect is still free now, but if it is create a bootable USB stick and keep that stick safe.

Troezar · 9 Nov 2023 at 05:22

darael said:
I'm not sure if Macrium Reflect is still free now, but if it is create a bootable USB stick and keep that stick safe.

There's a free trial version.

Mcnumpty2323 · 9 Nov 2023 at 07:27

Think a couple of the guys
Are hosting free version macrium in software/useful free utilities section
Though not sure how long free version
Will continue to function
I remember in the past Microsoft did something
Possibly to do with shadow volumes?
And it meant you had to upgrade macrium

Got acronis free with Sn850x drives
Doesn't even open properly
Before I get an error to do with scheduling service
So personally won't recommend acronis

Troezar · 9 Nov 2023 at 08:57

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Think a couple of the guys
Are hosting free version macrium in software/useful free utilities section
Though not sure how long free version
Will continue to function
I remember in the past Microsoft did something
Possibly to do with shadow volumes?
And it meant you had to upgrade macrium

Got acronis free with Sn850x drives
Doesn't even open properly
Before I get an error to do with scheduling service
So personally won't recommend acronis

Not sure which functions you've had issues with but for cloning drives Macrium has been fine.

Mcnumpty2323 · 9 Nov 2023 at 10:27

Troezar said:
Not sure which functions you've had issues with but for cloning drives Macrium has been fine.

Was system image backups
Microsoft altered how shadow volumes worked
Or something to do with file system
Don't remember exactly

Have used macrium for a very long time
But sometimes Microsoft alter something
That necessitates being able to update macrium
With the free version being discontinued
It may mean it will have a limited usage time
Depending of course
If Microsoft alter something that affects
That sort of thing again