Windows 10: Reusability of a Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File

I think I understand the idea behind the Macrium Reflect Backup Definition File. It saves backup settings so you don’t need to re-enter them. What I don’t get is how it’s supposed to be used over time. Right now I create a new one every time I do a full backup and then use it to create subsequent differential backups. Is it possible to use one Backup Definition File to create all your backups if you always use the same settings? For me, the only difference would be the comments for each backup. I use the free version of Macrium Reflect 7.1.

:)

 

Disk Imaging

Hi, this is Rob again.

Try Macrium Reflect - Free for home use.

How to Create a Full-Disk Backup of Your PC with Macrium Reflect

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-re...

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Hope that helps and feel free to choose a rating and have a great day!

 

File History versus Dedicated Backup Software

I'll second JohnD's recommendation of Macrium Reflect. I'm very happy with it.

True Image and Reflect are image backup applications, although they can also make file and folder backups. File History only makes file backups.

For image backups I use the paid version of Macrium Reflect, but the free version works just as well and is equally reliable. It just has fewer features.

For file and folder backups I use 7zip, which is free. It's actually a compression program. I taught myself how to use command line and how to run it on a schedule. Not bad for a guy who didn't major in Computer Science.

 

You can use the same backup file. I recommend you set a schedule so backups will be done automatically.

 

If I did use a single backup definition file, would I be able to change the comments on a full backup or would the original comments still be in the backup definition file?

I keep my backup drives offline until I need them, so a schedule wouldn’t work for me.

 

To make comments changes:

• right click definition
• click Advanced options when window pops up
• go to the comments tab in the 2nd window that opens up

 

Your original comments are in the Backup Definition File.
If you want different comments then make different Back Definition files with an appropriate filename I would think.

You can also Edit the Backup definition file with Blue Pen or Spanner toolbar icons.

The Right Click variation gives more explanatory text to those Icons, useful.

The XML files are viewable outside of Macrium if you want, File icon.

 

Ok good. The backup definition file is reusable. Drilling down a bit deeper, can I still reuse it if I switch off destination drives? I rotate my backup drives every time I do a full backup. Ideally, I would like to use a single backup definition file across all my backup drives. Is this doable?

 

Yes, it's all doable, but not in one definition file. It's up to you to keep a track of the definition files and use the one relevant to a particular drive.

Those definition files (XML) are essentially in plain text so you can see the path, disk id, permissions and so forth.

I'm not clever enough to fiddle with such files or understand the relevance, so hence my first two sentences. Keep it simple.

No doubt some one on here is more knowledgeable and can help.

 

Yes you need a definition file for each back up drive its best to assign Drive letters to each near the end of the alphabet R S T X etc, that way windows won't change the drive letters on you and screw up your back ups.
Otherwise if drive letters change you'll have to edit the definition file to seek the current drive letter of the back up drive. it if find the wrong drive the back up won't match up to the new back up running and will fail with error can not find a back up to write to.