Windows 10: Macrium Reflect - understanding thereof

build 1919 ver. 18363.752

Cards on the table/Admission time .. I have never been imaging fan, partly because of lack of unbderstanding (laziness ?) and partly because previous attempts have failed miserably. I've always had plentyt of time on my hands so clean (re)installs of Win 10 and all software has never been a real issue. And 3 other computers to fall back on while any one of them was having the OS re-built.

However, given the enthusiastic penchant demonstrated throughout these forums, I'm giving it a go .. so far so good, even to the extent of a "dummy" run restore with single initial full.

I've got an initial full backup from the setting up process, and now a smaller back up file which I assume is the differential backup (only using the free version at the moment), so if tragedy strikes I assume ...
- use the USB created with the program
- restore the initial full image
- then restore the last/latest differential.

What I can't get my head around is the options for retaining the number of full backups and differential backups - why the difference in numbers (e.g. default = 12 full and 4 differentials, but obviously these can be changed)?

What does Macrium create each time I set it to schedule run in the middle of the night - does it keep on just creating a new updated differential? Does it (re)create a full backup every so often (if so, how often) ?

EDIT : E.g. I've just made a change to the system, but next scheduled run is not for a couple of days. How do I force a new (manual) differential backup ?

:)

 

Macrium Reflect - understanding thereof

Personally I like to have them run on a schedule, a Full once a week and two Differentials in between knowing otherwise that the one time I'd really need it is that the one time I'd have forgotten to do it.

It can be a bit intimidating at first, but after a few restores, you soon realize what a great safety net this is.

 

Macrium Reflect - understanding thereof

Ideal suggestion. It's only a small system, and the full backup only takes 5-6 minutes. Tks.

I'll still tinker with the scheduling (albeit full backups only), I'm ex-IT from a previous life many years ago and just like the car mechanic with the worst car in the street or the plumber with more leaking taps than any one else, I constantly forget backing up despite preaching the benefits and need to everyone else.

 

Restoring Windows 10 Image using Macrium Reflect


In addition to the above. Here's my suggestion in step by step.
I assume you have Macrium Installed in your current HD and already made a backup copy.

1. Connect your new HD via USB port and boot up.
2. Run Macrium, click on Restore tab then select the Backup Image that you made to restore
3. click on "select a different target disk" then select your new HD as destination
   
   
   
4. Proceed to restore then Shutdown and disconnect the old HD and replace with the new HD
5. Boot up with your new HD.