Windows 10: Giving up Acronis in favour of FREE AOMEI

Hi there

I've been trying out the FREE version of AOMEI backup -- seems to have everything I need including Differentials / incrementals , explore Images, disk / partition / file backup restore / image checking, Linux partitions etc.

Can also disable VSS when running on Windows -- sometimes I've had problems with things like Macrium with VSS. AOMEI can use it's own internal locking if backing up while Windows is running.

Seems quite fast too.

I like the clean interface as well. I might well switch to this one after I've given it a robust trial. I was a long time user of Acronis but it seems to be sliding downhill at the moment - I never realized at how much has been removed from AT2105 even though it has a slightly better interface than ATH2014.

Anyway I suggest if you want a decent FREE backup utility which is far better than FREE Macrium and which runs on Windows as well as a bootable stand alone version I suggest you try it.

(Before RESTORING ensure you have a restorable image from another system you've tried -- I don't think there's any problem but it pays to be safe when testing a new product like this -- also backup and restore an image initially that doesn't have critical data (e.g don't start with the OS).

AOMEI Windows Backup, Cloning, and Recovery Software

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

Partitioning the disk

You need to use a mature partition manager, e.g. AOMEI or MiniTool (both free) or Acronis Disk Director (not free).

 

Cloning HD

I don't know about Acronis, but I use the Free version of
AOMEI Partition Assistant to clone Drives and have never had any trouble . . .

Click HERE for a step by step on cloning your hard drive with AOMEI

 

Hi Jimbo, I can vouch for AOMEI, I have been using it for over 3 years.
Also has SSD optimization.
I clone drives as backup - just switch drives should one fail, much quicker than restoring images!!
I can only recall one failure which was attempting to clone a Toshiba satellite drive running W8.1
Not sure of the exact failure report but it was something about having too many partititions.
Windows MBR, OS , Hidden recovery, Data, another hidden partion; or something like that.
I had to restore from a backup image as you correctly suggest.

 

Going to have to give this a try. I've been using the Acronis WD version.

 

Thanks for the info. jimbo.
I've been using Acronis for a few years also. The latest version I have is 2014, which I had on Win 8.1.
I found it to be always running in one form or another. It took up a lot of HDD space also.
Now with Win 10 clean install I was looking for something new which was lighter and I think AOMEI will be good.
Going to D/L and give it a work out for a few days.

 

besb "much quicker than restoring images" Lol. I love that and admire your skill - no sarcasm. It takes me about ten minutes to undo all those minute screws on a laptop, my image is usually done by then.

 

There are three items in the startup tab on the task manager. You can disable these without loss (unless you need to schedule etc..) Only problem is whenever you attempt an operation, it asks if it can switch on the scheduler to begin. You agree and it does it instantly. But, in any case, I found it easier to make an Acronis boot disk and run my operations from that

 

I am using Acronis but after reading this thread I am going to try AOMEI. What is the difference between the free and pay version?

 

There are three items in the startup tab on the task manager. You can disable these without loss (unless you need to schedule etc..) Only problem is whenever you attempt an operation, it asks if it can switch on the scheduler to begin. You agree and it does it instantly. But, in any case, I found it easier to make an Acronis boot disk and run my operations from that Interesting, how does the boot disk work ? Would I just use it and not have install the program ?

 

You need to initially install, in order to make the boot disk, which is one of the options. After that, if you wish, you can uninstall the program again. I guess Acronis take the view that you have a paid up legit copy, so what you do with it afterwards is your concern. I leave it on though, because it does have other uses. For example, if you just need to back up a small portion of the OS, it is a little quicker.

 

If I leave the program installed, I would have to disable the three items in start up.
Would there be anything else so nothing runs in the background ?
Do you think it is better than AOMEI ?

 

I also disable three service (services.msc) I don't know if it is necessary, but.... just in case!

 

I too can vouch for AOMEI Backupper and have been using it for about 9 months it is now one of 3 backup programs I use. Also keep an eye out for any promotions or giveaways as I was able to get a free AOMEI Backupper Pro key by E Mail a while back with the only limitation being of not able to upgrade to newer versions.

 

I used the AOMEI backupper and the OneKey programs. There are problems with both of them.

1. The backupper did not work correctly on one of my 32bit systems
2. Imaging a partition that was encrypted at a previous time but is now decrypted does not work
3. OneKey does not write a BCD for recovery if the bootmgr is on C rather than in the system partition.

I have corresponded several times with the AOMEI developers but the feedback is meager. At least they answer (saying nothing). The Macrium people don't even talk to you.

Still I will continue to use free Macrium - AOMEI is work in progress. Macrium has proven for years to be reliable and has saved my bacon several times. Yes there is a problem with the VSS service if you had a prior installation of another imaging program. But that is because the VSS provider has changed. You can easily check that with this command:

vssadmin list providers

If the Provider Type is not System, then you have a problem. But that can be fixed.

VSS fails due to modification by 3rd party software (Backup, Clone Disk, VSS)

There is also a fix if your VSS .dlls are corrupted. That you can check with:

vssadmin list writers