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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 non-commercial home use.
What's new in this version: Version 4.2 build 2952 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:
3.5 starsout of 39 votes
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My rating:
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"Not what i expected"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Easy to download
Cons
Caused my Gmail to become buggy
Summary
Just didn't like it
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"Outstanding for novice or self proclaimed experts!!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Very user friendly control panel. Reliable functions of backup, restore and build of recovery cd. Compatible and works well with Raid versions of builds. Beats the crap out of Ghost, Acronis True image, etc. hands down!! Well worth the $40 bucks!
Cons
It cost $40 bucks for all the features desired. The free version is okay to preview, but get off your wallet for the full version if you really want to use it long term.
Summary
I have been working with computers since the dawn of the first analog type built by western electric (surface to air missiles) an have had exposure to every type of computer and flavor of software since. I have awoken countless nights drenched the nightmarish sweats of lost data!!! I have taken the masichistic roads of self punishment by purchasing and wasting countless hours trying to use the so called best backup software available. IE: Norton Ghost, Acronis and the list goes on only to find my lost data nightmares were turned into a reality due to unreliable crap marketed by untruthful sales persons and so called experts proporting to be giving an honest review. I would suggest they sold their integrity for cash or maybe just a free lunch.
If you are interested in obtaining a reliable backup for XP, Vista or Win 7, this is what you need. Don't **** around with the free version to only come back and write a crappy review because it didn't have all the features you needed in the free version. What is your time, equipment and data worth?
Many of the negative reviews are posted by people whom are either too cheap, to lazy or have such bizarre equipment and software features that you can only obtain them at Omar's space flea market! They can't understan why it won't work for them.
The bottom line is it performs as they claim on the afore mentioned software packages. Do I wish it was free for all the features and you could put it on any number of computers? Absolutely! But at least my $40 bucks is spent on a product that actually works and does what they claim. -
"Does great job, but is slow to backup like Windows 7."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
You can specifically chose what to backup.
Cons
Long time backup requirement.
Summary
The product is user friendly, gui, but, like Windows 7 backup, takes too long to backup.
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"Just downloaded , haven't had experience with it yet"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
not sure, havent used it yet
Cons
not sure, haven't used it yet
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"Would like to try the new build but..."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Macrium Reflect has done what it promised to do on several occasions, so I look forward to future enhancements and builds of this useful product.
Cons
Repeatedly, my CNET tracker tells me their is a newer version (namely the 2952 build) which I have dutifully downloaded, and would like to try, if of course AVG stops freaking out and telling me that there is an 'install bomb' in the .exe file.
Summary
I like this product for a variety of reasons, but mostl for the ease of being able to back up my hard drive in a single go. This is especially useful should I suffer a major catastrophe and/ or decide to replace the hard drive on my laptop.
Again, Cnet has always been reliable in its downloads, but having AVG scream at me during a regular scan that this latest download is trouble, I in good conscious can not recommend or not recommend until I get a reply from Cnet itself, having dutifully sent a report, not once but twice.
It most likely is a false-positive, but until I receive some sort of assurance from either Cnet, or the makers of Macrium Reflect, upgrading is out of the question. Either party is free to contact me should their be an explanation, or resolution to my particular problem.
Bottom line, it is a good, basic backup program I recommend, just wish I could upgrade it. -
"Straightforward and easy to use."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
It's all straightforward, follow the directions kinda thing. Does exactly what it's supposed to do.
Cons
The interface is for use by intermediates. One needs a basic understanding of how backups work to fully utilize this program.
Summary
What I've been looking for. This is a great free program that can easily stand next to Acronis and Norton
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"Have a GPT partition? Program goes belly up"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Easy to use and does what it says - as long as you DON'T have any GPT partitions
Cons
Program fails if it finds any GPT partitions
Summary
I was trying this out as a possible alternative to the excellent but overpriced at $80 Shadowprotect.
Sorry, ignore my previous comments, I should have RTFM'd first!
Was working fine and I backed up the Windows7 hidden partiton and C partition without any problem, and then restored said backups to a spare drive and booted from it successfully.
Then I set up a pair of 2TB drives as a RAID0.
On starting the program it reported the RAID0 as an unsupported GPT partition, ok I thought, no problem, I just want to backup my C drive (on another drive), and write the backup data to another drive, not the RAID0.
The program just hung during the 'taking snapshot' stage and had to be killed using Task Manager.
So, if you have a GPT partition you're stuffed.
Updated on Dec 25, 2010
GPT is only supported in the 'Full Edition plus Additions', NOT the 'Free Edition' or the 'Full Edition'.
Updated on Dec 25, 2010Sorry, ignore my previous comments, I should have RTFM'd first!
GPT is only supported in the 'Full Edition plus Additions', NOT the 'Free Edition' or the 'Full Edition'. -
"It kept freezing my computer, could not get it to work."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
None, I could not get the program to work. It kept freezing my computer.
Cons
Could not get it to work.
Summary
I tried Easeus Todo and it worked fine.
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"So SLOW. I mean really, really slow."
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Can't think of one.
Cons
Just way to slow to work with. 100 gigs too 12 hours to backup over USB 2 connection.
Summary
Way too slow. If you have less than 50 gigs of data it may be OK. Other programs are much, much faster.
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"Great Software!"
Version: Macrium Reflect Free 4.2 build 2952
Pros
Loaded and ran without any problems on my Vista machine. Stored the data on my NAS drive as I requested.
Cons
I have not used this product long, so it is too early if there are any negatives.
Summary
I would recommend this product.
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