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Backing up your computer shouldn't be a tedious task. Macrium Reflect Free Edition makes file backup incredibly easy thanks to its intuitive user interface and helpful wizards.
Installing the program did confuse us a bit, because although it's a free program, it refers to purchasing the program, and you're given a confirmation number. On top of that, the program recommends that you view the online tutorials before getting started, but you might have some trouble deciphering them unless you speak Italian. Luckily, the built-in Help menu is more than adequate and written in English. The user interface is simple but professional in appearance. Intuitive commands line the top of the window, and tabs reveal options for disk images, partitions, XML definitions, and scheduled backups. A helpful wizard guides you through the process of setting up your backup. We were able to quickly select our backup location (local hard disk, network, CD/DVD). Before proceeding, it provides you with a summary of your backup so that you can see the backup type, destination, compression type, and password protection. Here is also where you can make advanced configurations to the compression levels and file sizes.
The program did slow our computer while it worked its magic, and we were unable to browse or work with other resource-intensive programs at the same time. However, we were able to watch the backup process, and the program successfully backed up our C Drive without a hitch. If you're looking for a simple but reliable backup program, we highly recommend Macrium Reflect Free Edition to all users.
Macrium Reflect Free - Clone disks and create, burn, and back up disk images - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Macrium Software:
Macrium Reflect Free Edition. An award winning disk imaging solution for free. A complete disaster recovery solution for your home and office. Protect your personal documents, photos, music and e-mails. Upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems in the safe knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file. Macrium Reflect supports backup to local, network and USB drives as well as burning to all DVD formats. This version is for personal non-commercial use only.
Version 4.2 build 2055 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Version 4.2 build 2055 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 492 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 41 votes
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My rating:
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"Powerfully Perfect"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Falwless restore, even if the partition size is different on your new hard drive, REFLECT Software stretches to fit, without error and it's amazingly free!
Cons
Can't think of any yet
Summary
All buttons are where they should be, I think a 3rd grader would have no problem navigating this software! and have no fear aas far as my experience it WORKS!
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"Looks fabulous - too scared to try restore"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Easy to use interface, good performance
Cons
None that I've seen
Summary
The real test of a backup system is how well it restores. After doing a full system backup, creating the rescue disk, and booting from the rescue disk, I have high hopes that this free backup solution will work. However, I don't have any spare systems that I can afford to play around with, so that last step - running a restore - will have to wait until I have a machine that isn't mission critical. I only gave four stars, because giving five stars without trying a restore would not be honest.
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"I tried them all! Macium Reflect is the best!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Extremely easy to use.Works smoothly and does image backups, and other things in the paid ver(It's worth every penny).IUsed it for free 2 months, it was so good I bought it! Customer service is awesome!(I had a worm and they walked me through a fix
Cons
Wish I'd bought it before I spent hundreds of dollars on its competitors (at least 8 different products in the last 5 years!)!
Summary
This is the only image/backup utility that works like a charm on my PC (XP Pro,SP3). The paid version is a dream and I can back up both my internal HD's to my ext 500G HD daily. Can't say enough good things about this company and its support. Buy it!
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"It seems easier and faster than other imaging programs"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
I have used it twice now and the backups went smoothly. My brother is not very computer literate and he was able to use it with no problems
Cons
Haven't really found any so far.
Summary
I like the program for the fact that it is easy and fast. I would recommend it to computer novices.
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"Just another free backup software package."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
It has a nicer look than most free software.
Cons
All the marketing BS. The software is very basic and confusing (on par with other free backup software), didn't always restore properly when testing different methods of restoring. Better software exists.
Summary
In summary, this is just another free backup software that can't compete with the top drive imaging products such as TrueImage by Acronis, Image for Windows by TeraByte Unlimited, and ShadowProtect.
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"Worked perfectly"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Really easy to use, now got all mine and my girlfriend's stuff backed up on a couple of hard drives after a couple of hard drive disasters over the last few years, can't be too careful.
Cons
None so far
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"Great software and free too!!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Works perfectly for me backing up in Vista without any problems and fast as well.
Cons
Nothing found yet
Summary
Everything I tried on both C: drive and D: drives worked without a hitch and backing up partitions to external drive through USB worked as well. I can't believe it's free!!
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"Pretty awesome for the price"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
Free, very easy to use, can browse images to copy certain files if you want, or restore entire image
Cons
Free version doesn't verify image upon completion
Summary
I've never tried to do a restore,but did browse an image file, and it seems all the files are there the best I could tell. Unless I later find the images don't restore well or easily, I would say that so far, you can't beat if for the price, and it makes me want to support this company in the future if I want more features, because they were nice enough to offer a decent free version to those low on resources. I always respect try before you buy too, and in this case, it's a long-term try before you buy.
I looked into using Clonezilla, and while it may be free and fairly powerful, configuring and using it is not for the faint of heart. Most of us want something that's very easy to use, and this fits that bill perfectly. -
"Excellent, thank you"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
I used the software to copy (via USB using an external caddy case) a 3.5" Windows XP HDD, enabling me to upgrade from a 10GB to an 80GB HDD. The software worked flawlessly. The options were clear and the operation was fast and clean.
Cons
None as far as I could tell.
Summary
The process involved making an image of the 10GB HDD onto the computers HDD and then restoring to another disk. Worked perfectly. Well worth it. Thank you.
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"Great product - does exactly what I want FOR FREE!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2055
Pros
I have both Vista and XP operating systems, and Macrium Reflect works perfectly on both. It will backup an entire c-drive faster than other products I've purchased, and it'll do a restore of a single file like a simple file copy. It works perfectly.
Cons
There are no serious cons to this product. There aren't many instructions, but the product is very intuitive to use.
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