CNET Editors' review
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.
Publisher's Description
From Macrium Software:
Macrium Reflect v5.0 Free Edition. An award winning disk cloning and imaging solution for free. 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 non-commercial home use.
What's new in this version: Version 5.0 build 4522 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 442 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 5 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"Was amazingly easy to use!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 5.0 build 4522
Pros
FREE. really easy to use. My notebook hard drive started getting the SMART "imminent failure message" and eventually wouldn't boot. i hooked up the Hard Drive via a usb adapter, made a image of the entire drive (2 partitions) and then wrote the image to a new hard drive and viola it worked like a charm. this after trying 2 other disk imaging solutions (ODIN was one) that would copy the Master Boot record.
Cons
none. this far exceeded my expectationss
Summary
I tried several other programs to make an image, and each time I wrote the image to the new drive it wouldn't boot. One and done with this product.
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"A neat and simple backup app."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 5.0 build 4522
Pros
No nags! Works as advertised. Offers a good feature set.
Cons
Non to report at this writing.
Summary
It's free and works well!
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"not suitable for cloning hard drives"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 5.0 build 4522
Pros
neat simple user interface.
Cons
i needed to clone my hard drive on to my new one, but when i cloned it over which took 2 hours for 350gigs, i started the pc up with my new cloned hard drive but it ruined the activation for windows!
it would just show a blue desktop that said it was not genuine but my original hdd still works.....Summary
i will be looking for a different program i guess.
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"Great For Whole Disk Backups !"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 5.0 build 4522
Pros
Does what I need it to with an attractive, wizzard-based interface. I only do "disk clone" type backups, so this program is ideal.
Cons
As implied, it doesn't do incremental backups in the free version. Also I've read other reviewers say that the UI is unintuitive, and I tend to agree; it just takes a little time to get used to it. Also you will be asked to download a fairly large (1.66GB) Microsoft application for disk burning, (it will first burn a rescue DVD), so be sure you have the room.
Summary
For someone like myself, who only does periodic disk clones, this program works great. It has other features I haven't checked out that may be what you're looking for; if so, check it out. This is high-quality software that's easy to use and even easier to recommend.
Quick correction: the MS disk burning software is only 1.05GB. By comparison the Toshiba disk burner in my laptop is 1.66GB.
Updated on May 1, 2012 -
"Love it! Works like a champ!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 5.0 build 4522
Pros
Does what I needed, with a slick interface.
Cons
None yet. :-)
Summary
Think I'll break-down and get the Pro version of this.
Results 1-5 of 5
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