Windows 10: Good method to back up Win 10 system?

Jimbo
Just for the record you CAN mount an image with Macrium reflect free ! it was one of the first things I tried.
The only limitation seems to be only one image can be mounted at a time.

Mike

 

I use windows to backup image

 

Thanks for the info. I’ve recently spent a lot of time trying Win. 10 own “built in” backup and restore operation because I’m a back up freak with too many hard drive partitions with drive images of different drives. I also keep “C” partition less than 75G and keep video photos and MP3s in separate partitions on separate drives. With XP and 7 I’ve used True Image 10 with VG results. Reading their forum I’m staying clear of their latest release, perhaps TI13 would be worth a try.

I’m not geekish but have been around awhile and try to follow directions with good results if written correctly. I’ve read articles explaining the virtual of using Windows backup and restore built in operation. The backup seemed to chug along but I could not seem to get restore to work. It couldn’t seem to find the backup which was on another drive and if more than one BU is on the partition there is no option of choosing which one I want to use as I make a image every 8-10 days and save too many.
This older than dirt brain will continue trying as I have enough time on my hands, but the frustration gets wearing and I need breaks to think it out.

 

Hi there

are you using V5 or V6 -- V6 seems to have a lot of functionality removed. Also can you still get the fast bootable ISO (The Linux version) or do you have to go through the hassle of creating a WINPE bootable system --this also takes a LOT longer to boot than the old Linux based ISO's which start in a few seconds.

The problem also with a WINPE configuration is that this is created from a RUNNING system so if you want to to a backup / restore on ANOTHER system the WINPE disk won't necessarily have all the drivers in it - Video etc for performing the operation on the alternate system. You might find booting the rescue CD / ISO system on the alternate system gives you unreadable video etc.

The other nasty with V6 is that you can only RESTORE an image from the boot system - I often use a boot system to take a backup too -- that way I don't need partition locking with VSS etc. as I'm not running Windows while backing up.

The Acronis system works ideal for me --I've a load of different systems with hugely different hardware. !!

The Linux stuff just loaded all the hardware at boot -- very fast too and could run on almost any system without problems.







Cheers
jimbo

 

Another vote for Acronis here.

 

+1 for Macrium Reflect. I find it easy to use and it works great with Windows 10.

 

I upgraded Windows 10 with Acronis 2014 already installed. Has worked fine and more importantly I have used it twice with no problems to restore my Windows 10. Was very nervous the first time but absolutely no issues. Tried it once using an image created within Windows and another time using an image created via the bootable USB.

 

I have been using NovaStor NovaBACKUP PRO for the past five years on many different Computers. When I was running Windows 7 I used NovaBACKUP 16 then upgraded to Version 16.5 (free) when available. I did Complete Backups and they ALL Backed-Up perfectly. Even the Restore worked very well. When I Upgraded from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro Version 16.5 would work very, very slow. I opted to get a FREE upgrade to Version 17 which came out the SAME day Windows 10 was released. I tried to Install NovaBACKUP 17 on my Windows 10 Pro Computer and NovaBACKUP would STOP in the middle of the Install. I contacted NovaStor Tech. Support and they informed me Version 17 is NOT COMPATIBLE with Windows 10. BUT a new Version, 17.1 is Windows 10 Compatible and will be able for Download 8/7/2015 (TOMORROW) !!

 

Here’s a bit of confusing UD to me. After trying a # of times to make a image with the built in Win. process with total failure I tried the following: totally formatted a 1.5 Seagate drive with “C” having 100G space.
Next I made an image of the drive having Win 10 in C . Win 10 was installed OVER Win 7.1 and seems to work OK. That image was made using True Image 13 to see if it would work. It did without an apparent hiccup.
I next did a recovery into the Seagate “C” using True Image, again without an apparent hiccup. The Seagate booted up fine.

MY project now is to try to appreciate Win 10 and feel comfortable to know that the images work so far.
As stated I’m a backup freak and never want to reinstall an OS again after the first install especially with all the accumulated items.

Hopefully I’ll have the same results in the future.

 

Hi Jimbo
I just checked and it was v5.2 free . all you need to do is double click the image and you can mount it from there!

I have just downloaded the trial version of V6 and I can't see anything missing except the Boot Linux Version !!

Not really tested it yet but there seems a lot more in it than the free version . It is supposed to 90% faster too but It's too late tonight to test that! I'll try it tomorrow
If it works well I will buy one copy for my main PC and use the free version on my server as I can get away with 1 system image a week and D*Biggrinrive image daily and I don't mind how long it takes.
I have written batch files on my server which work well but I've been trying all day to get them triggered from my main PC using PStools PSexec - I have nearly done it i'm sure I'm close but......
I might have to do it in VB *Wink

 

I have tried to install that and got the same error but they didn't say a new one was coming out ! they just asked me to try a few things and then send them the Logs !

 

NovaStor Just Released NovaBACKUP 17.1 (for Windows 10) TODAY !! A Day early !! FREE Download w/15 Day TRIAL !! Or if you are running NovaBACKUP 16.5 you get 17.1 FREE !! Just need your v16.5 Serial Number !! Check this out !! 17 will NOT run on Windows 10 !! Just 17.1 !!

 

I don't know why more people do not use this .. I can make a system image of my system in less than 15 min. If you ever have problems .. you know that you have a complete image of your system just waiting to restore from. I run it every night .. and I know I am 100% protected.

I use a batch file ... and just double click one desktop icon. The rest is done for me. Doesn't get any simpler than that.

 

That's okay if you only made a simple mess. If you made your OS unbootable you would want to have a backup outside the OS and restore it back like nothing happened. I can make a complete system image backup with Macrium in less than 3 minutes.

 

I use AOMEI Backupper. It's free, fast, and does a great job.