I'm looking for a disk imaging software for windows 8.1 and a backup and restore solution to backup my files regulary.
decent disk imaging/backup and restore software
- Thread starter lumino
- Start date
- Aug 30, 2012
- 6,598
- Apr 13, 2013
- 3,148
For something that can be this important, I prefer products that have been around for quite a while and have a large user base. Namely Acronis TrueImage, Symantec System Recovery (formerly Ghost), and Macrium Reflect.
jelson
Level 2
- Jun 14, 2011
- 54
Acronis is bloated and often buggy. I'd advise staying away from it. In recent years they have been so many complaints and unanswered requests for help, they've been deleting posts on their forum.
Haven't used Macrium Reflect in awhile, BUT a lot of folks who post a lot in the imaging forums at WildersSecurity give it high marks. Also, there's a free version that lacks incremental & differential imaging.
There's also Image for Windows which also gets high marks for extreme reliability, but is geared toward the sophisticated user who likes and wants lots of controls and technical options.
And finally there's ShadowProtect Desktop: extreme reliable imaging program with enterprise level features, but expensive and uses hardware activation.
Most imaging programs will also backup files & folders in addition to drives & partitions. However, they do create a single image file. You might consider using synch programs as well to backup data files. I've already posted some suggestions with links in this post.
Haven't used Macrium Reflect in awhile, BUT a lot of folks who post a lot in the imaging forums at WildersSecurity give it high marks. Also, there's a free version that lacks incremental & differential imaging.
There's also Image for Windows which also gets high marks for extreme reliability, but is geared toward the sophisticated user who likes and wants lots of controls and technical options.
And finally there's ShadowProtect Desktop: extreme reliable imaging program with enterprise level features, but expensive and uses hardware activation.
Most imaging programs will also backup files & folders in addition to drives & partitions. However, they do create a single image file. You might consider using synch programs as well to backup data files. I've already posted some suggestions with links in this post.
Last edited:
- Apr 13, 2013
- 3,148
Regarding Acronis, I really can't understand all the bloated comments that are made about it. There are indeed 3 services that are installed with it; all one has to do is set them to Manual and nothing starts with Windows if that is the users preference.
But your point about an application, especially one potentially so critical, is well taken. Although I have been using Acronis for over 5 years without issue this is no surety that it won't mess up in the future; so I actually use all 3 of the applications I mentioned above on an alternating basis. I guess it really comes down to how much a person values existing data (and how anal they are).
But your point about an application, especially one potentially so critical, is well taken. Although I have been using Acronis for over 5 years without issue this is no surety that it won't mess up in the future; so I actually use all 3 of the applications I mentioned above on an alternating basis. I guess it really comes down to how much a person values existing data (and how anal they are).
- Aug 30, 2012
- 6,598
- Never keep important data on only one place
- Never store important data on partition where your system is installed
- If you store your important data on some cloud services keep it encrypted
- deletion by accident
- infection by malware
- hardware or software failure
Piriform Recuva can save you from accident deletion of files.
For your data (music/photo/documents/movies...) the most safe way is to keep them on external HDD and if not on some cloud service.
Backup-ing data and store them on the same hardware is not logical in some cases. Acronis, Macrium, Paragon, EASEUS... may say different but it is. Why installing some backup solution to keep choking your resources with several processes running in the background when Windows File History is good solution for that stuff also, and it comes preinstalled with Windows (8 and 8.1).
So, if you do a backup, I recommend you to do a "cold backup". To create bootable CD/USB of backup solution that you prefer and choose and do all backuping-restoring outside of Windows. And, of course, store it on some USB flash drive or externall HDD It's lot faster and safer and if some software failure occurs (system brake, wont boot, wrong update...) you can restore your system in minutes (~10-15min.) And use it once a month or often, which way you suit the most.
Hardware failure is just a different story
- Apr 13, 2013
- 3,148
How can i access it? I thought it was removed in windows 8 :/, Is it this file history thingy?
- Jan 26, 2014
- 188
As I said above, AOMEI Backupper is what you are looking for ..
I used a lot of backup softwares like True image, Norton, etc ..... all of these installed additional component that slowed my computer. If you use your computer for work and gaming , better use something lighter
- Feb 17, 2014
- 129
- Nov 19, 2012
- 1,113
jelson
Level 2
- Jun 14, 2011
- 54
I've never experienced a problem either, but then I only trust Acronis for cold-imaging; I don't install it. My main complaint is the large number of serious bugs that tend to only get handled after in final updates of a major version.
I second cruelsister's recommendation for you: Macrium Reflect Free
Simple, reliable, lots of support and there's a free version!
Last edited by a moderator:
- Jan 8, 2011
- 22,361
I had the same thought process. Could we say we're becoming dependent
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