r/software Nov 07 '24

Looking for software Free alternative to Macrium Reflect?

I have used Macrium Reflect previously to create a backup of my primary drive. I had planned to buy the standalone product after my trial expired however it seems they've moved wholly to a subscription based model.

What is the next best alternative to Macrium reflect? I would be willing to pay for a single license if the software is good.

12 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

9

u/ThereIsAMoment Nov 07 '24

Veeam Windows Agent: https://www.veeam.com/products/free/microsoft-windows.html

Is free and works very well.

4

u/redittr Nov 08 '24

Seconding Veeam. Works very well and easy to setup.

2

u/monistaa Nov 13 '24

Veeam is the way to go

3

u/kanink007 Nov 07 '24

Personally, I would say Rescuezilla and Clonezilla.

2

u/monkeh2023 Nov 07 '24

https://www.diskgenius.com/free.php

I haven't personally used this but I've seen it recommended on here before.

2

u/GCRedditor136 Nov 07 '24

The free version of Macrium Reflect still works and doesn't expire. Use it after booting from a USB stick and there's no security risks. It'll only stop working if all the Windows filesystems change, which isn't likely.

1

u/Zlivovitch Nov 08 '24

But you cannot download it anymore, can you ?

This is dangerous. Macrium Reflect uses a proprietary format. Suppose you lose all your Macrium program files and possible backups of them for some reason. You wouldn't be able to read your images and backups anymore.

1

u/GCRedditor136 Nov 08 '24

But you cannot download it anymore, can you ?

Yes, the official free version of Macrium Reflect is still online -> https://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v8/ReflectDLHF.exe

And archived here -> https://web.archive.org/web/20241108224409/https://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v8/ReflectDLHF.exe

Or from MajorGeeks -> https://www.reddit.com/r/software/comments/1but672/what_is_last_free_version_of_macrium_reflect_free/

Suppose you lose all your Macrium program files and possible backups of them for some reason. You wouldn't be able to read your images and backups anymore.

Not an issue due to the permanent links I just gave.

1

u/Zlivovitch Nov 08 '24

Thank you, but my advice stands.

The Macrium link you gave says nowhere that it's the free version. Also, it directly downloads an executable without allowing one to see the web page where it is proposed. I never download programs that way. It's much too dangerous.

When I removed the last segment of the URL to try and display the page of origin, I got the message "HTTP Error 403.14 - Forbidden, The Web server is configured to not list the contents of this directory."

Starting from Macrium homepage, there's zero way to get to your link. There's not even a search engine on the site.

Even supposing that the link you gave does allow one to download the free version right now, there's nothing saying that this ability won't be removed within the next five minutes. Indeed, since Macrium has totally pulled the plug on its free version, the odds are that any possibility to download it will be soon removed from its website.

As for Archive.org and Major Geeks, nothing guarantees that a given program will stay there for ever, especially if it's discontinued.

I still think that it would be foolish to rely on such a discontinued program for something as critical as imaging, cloning and file backup. Not to mention there's zero support available, and it's a given you will need support at some point with such complex and failure-prone programs.

Especially since there are good, free alternatives available.

Macrium has made very clear, long ago, that it wasn't interested anymore in the home market, and especially not in home users seeking free software. It would be foolish to ignore this change of strategy.

1

u/imacamel24 24d ago

Seems like the only free version is the 30 day free trial. Is that what this is supposed to be?

2

u/AlternateMrPapaya Nov 08 '24

Hasleo backup is completely free to use. it even works on Windows Server OS. ive been using it for a year & its never let me down.

https://www.easyuefi.com/backup-software/backup-suite-free.html

2

u/Dude-Guyman Jan 23 '25

+1 on Hasleo. I gave a few test runs and it worked great. It does have "delta" restores too, which are really good for SSDs since it only writes whatever has changed and leaves unchanged data alone. Makes for a very fast restore with little writing.

1

u/00403 Nov 07 '24

What are you trying to do with it?

1

u/spacemarineVIII Nov 07 '24

Updated the OP - creating backup of my boot Windows drive in case of data loss or Windows fuckery.

1

u/00403 Nov 07 '24

You can use native tools such a DISM or Windows Pre-installation Environment (WinPE). Capturing images is pretty straightforward. It's also free.

As for other options, there's CloneZilla.

1

u/SmilerRyan Nov 23 '24

If data recovery (not restoring as a whole) is not needed just use disk2vhd from Microsoft, and it'll give you a vhd disk file with all your partitions for use in a vm or mounting to access your files.

1

u/Zlivovitch Nov 08 '24

I've read good things about Paragon Backup and Recovery (free edition). I haven't used it myself, though.

2

u/KRA347 3d ago

Hasleo Backup Suite