Recommend a good Windows backup program? Was using Macrium Reflect, but free version ending and paid version is expensive!

NeilF · 19 Dec 2023 at 13:20

More than happy to pay (need at least two license), but free would be even better. Ideally need to shedule backups, and be able to restore drives and partitions from those backups. Having ability to even restore individual folders/files even better.

Someone recommended me Paragon, which seems to be £70 for three license? Their free version doesn't seem to offer restoring individual drives/partitions?

andy_mk3 · 19 Dec 2023 at 13:28

Macrium Reflect free isn't going anywhere as far as I know, I believe it has just stopped receiving updates and support.

Have you looked into Veeam free?

Murphy · 19 Dec 2023 at 14:27

If it ain't broke why fix it, is the free version not doing what you want it to?

Personally i add Macrium to the recovery menu/WinRE image so i can reboot into the program and don't have to bother with having it installed in Windows. (Setting up a custom tool to the Windows RE Advanced startup menu is pretty easy if you're OK with the command line and stuff)

Add a custom tool to the Windows RE Advanced startup menu

learn.microsoft.com

NeilF · 19 Dec 2023 at 14:39

Understood, but it's surely just delaying the inevitable? In 2yrs will MR still be wise to use with no support? And I certainly won't be paying for it at that price per PC.

So why not start to move to that different program now?

Murphy · 19 Dec 2023 at 14:50

That's a problem for tomorrows Murphy.

Like i said though it doesn't really effect me as i just make a Macrium rescue ISO and copy the program into the WinRE image.

Disco_P · 19 Dec 2023 at 16:57

Long term veamm endpoint user, no complaints with the free version. It dutifully backs up my C drive to an HDD every day incrementally with consolidations every week or so.

nade · 19 Dec 2023 at 19:32

Edited - sorry my suggestion appears to be network based so probably not suitable.

d_brennen · 19 Dec 2023 at 20:08

Use VEEAM at work and have nothing but good experience with both the enterprise VM features and bare metal backup

slipd · 3 Jan 2024 at 02:15

Cool! I'm in the same situation as the OP. So Veeam is a good alternative then?

mrk · 3 Jan 2024 at 11:30

I've used FreeFileSync for years. Works perfectly for my personal data.

As for OS drive image backups, Winodws Backup creates a VHD system image of whatever you select. The VHD can then be browsed like a USB drive at any point, or you can do a direct restore to a new drive if your OS drive fails etc.

Armageus · 3 Jan 2024 at 11:36

AOMEI Backupper Standard is another Free option for cloning

Free Backup Software for Windows | AOMEI Backupper Standard

AOMEI Backupper Standard is the best free backup software and provides you easy backup & disaster recovery solutions for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP to protect your OS, hard drive and files.

www.aomeitech.com

boosfuk · 3 Jan 2024 at 12:55

I was a long term user of Macrium Free and switched to Hasleo Backup Suite Free, been faultless, very impressed.

Avathar77 · 3 Jan 2024 at 13:02

I use Free file sync for personal files in my docs/Google drive(yes - even if it is online backed up) etc folders, and MR for OS drive.

Armageus · 3 Jan 2024 at 13:10

boosfuk said:
I was a long term user of Macrium Free and switched to Hasleo Backup Suite Free, been faultless, very impressed.

Interesting that it even supports Server versions of Windows - thanks

OspreyO · 3 Jan 2024 at 13:17

mrk said:
I've used FreeFileSync for years. Works perfectly for my personal data.

As for OS drive image backups, Winodws Backup creates a VHD system image of whatever you select. The VHD can then be browsed like a USB drive at any point, or you can do a direct restore to a new drive if your OS drive fails etc.

Same here FreeFileSync for file replication. Though they seem to determined to make that app worse with every update.

Don't bother with true backups. Prefer to do a clean install. But it's only personal systems. No production machines.

Gee · 3 Jan 2024 at 17:48

Cobian Reflector

spile · 4 Jan 2024 at 06:52

I have used Veeam Free Agent for a number of years and can recommend it.

embalse · 4 Jan 2024 at 07:35

I use Synkron for my files and folders which has been great. Will give Veeam a too.

!bluetonic! · 4 Jan 2024 at 07:35

I'm a huge fan of Macrium Reflect. I've paid for it and it highly recommend it. It's saved me on many occasions.

It allows you to mount backups and retrieve folders and files.

m4cc45 · 4 Jan 2024 at 10:46

I really like the free home use version of Veeam. It creates the bootable media for you and you can just restore. It really depends what features you need. I wanted to store the image on my NAS and be able to create a boot disk with network drivers in it to restore from. I have a daily backup for changed files (though I do use the cloud a lot so really, in all honesty, just a restore of the OS would do me in the event of a failure).

Free Windows Backup Solution for PCs and Endpoints

Simple and free Windows backup for cloud and physical servers, desktops, endpoints and more. Protect Windows workloads with Veeam Agent for Windows!

www.veeam.com

There's also a free version for Linux if you need it.

M.