? Macrium Free Edition to be retired

Got a message when I went to update.  Granted it will still be good to use till 01/2024 but wondering what else I could use.  If its going to require a learning curve for another program then I would like to start now or at least soon.  Looking for a 'free' program of course.

 

Thanks in advance

Edited by hamluis, 26 November 2022 - 02:20 PM.
Moved from Win 11 to Backup - Hamluis.

Buy the paid version while it is 50% off.

https://forum.macrium.com/66160/RE-macrium-reflect-free-retired

 

Edit: More at reddit

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/z4j6yd/macrium_reflect_is_retiring_free_edition/

 

Other free versions

 

Aomei Backupper Standard     I have used this and the interface is easy to learn

 

Easeus Todo Backup Free 

 

Both of the above also allow you to do file and folder backups. Easeus being the easier to list which files and folders you want backed up

 

MiniTool Shadow Maker Free  Edit: The free version does not allow you to create a bootable USB you can use to recover an image if the computer does not boot. This is a serious downside. Aomei and Easeus do allow the creation of a rescue USB which allows you to recover an image from a computer that does not boot.

 

Clonezilla  Live    based on linux and has a learning curve

Edited by JohnC_21, 26 November 2022 - 09:29 AM.

Ouch!  Well, I guess I can't blame them, they have to make a profit like everyone else.

The Macrium Reflect Black Friday Sale with 50% Off Macrium Reflect.

 

Good luck!

Actually its still free but due to inflation, Free costs more now.

But seriously, I invest countless hours of work using my computers. After a fatal BSOD and based on recommendations on BC I started using Macrium and will continue to do so. I think its worth it. Paid version should be even better.

Hello Eddie,

What they mean is that it will receive support up through Jan. 2024. You can continue using it indefinitely. However, if you get versions of windows beyond Windows 11, you will not be able to upgrade the software.

It looks like Paramount Software UK Limited, the company that developes Macrium Software | Reflect Free and Reflect Home, also is retiring its well-known phrase, which is as follows:
 
"Reflect 8 Free is the best no-cost solution on the market. Why does Macrium offer such a feature-rich and powerful product for absolutely nothing? Because we believe the safety and security of your data should be available to everyone."
 
I have already been recommending the Macrium Software | Reflect Free Edition to other members for years, but now that it is to be retired, I will have to look for alternative software.
 
However, of course, that is an alternative software to recommend to other members, but personally, ever since 2015, I am currently using Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Essentials.
 
Nonetheless, I think it would be inappropriate to recommend paid Disk Imaging Software, even though it has more features and offers better customer support than free software.
 
As such, I am considering two of JohnC_21's alternatives in Post #3, i.e. Aomei Backupper Standard and Easeus Todo Backup Free, or maybe someone else can recommend more similar software.
 
Thank you!

Edited by midimusicman79, 27 November 2022 - 11:54 AM.

The era of "free software" has been consistently going away...for years now.  Macrium has always had both free and paid versions, with the paid versions reflecting more versatility that most users do not need or desire.

 

Casual users have been fortunate for so long...that some now see paying for software as an issue...when, in reality, we probably should not expect software to be free when we live in a world where things which are not even usefully employed each day...are paid for routinely without whining.

 

Louis

I have to agree with Hamluis on this.  If I have to pay for Macrium (at the half price rate) I will do so, rather than go through the throes of learning another system (I am over 90 years old -- and living on a VERY limited budget).  Question arising: must I make the switch now, or can I do so in a year (in late 2023)?  I don't feel "entitled" to free software (I was a software developer for more than a decade, till I got tired of being ripped off by my clients, so I can definitely see both sides of this) but even at half price, Macrium is a rather big bite out of my puny budget.

Edited by saluqi, 26 November 2022 - 10:13 PM.

If you want to be certain of getting it at half price, you'll need to get it now. Of course, you could wait until later and save up until you have enough to get the paid version, and you might luck into another 50% off sale at that time.

Here is a full explanation of the end of life for Macrium Free 8:

https://www.macrium.com/product-support-policy#macrium-reflect-free-product-end-of-life-eol

Hi, ya 34bucks a year ?/  A little pricey.  

 

If have a Samsung SSD Owners, the free backup software is now gone : https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/ though Migration is still there.

 

WD owners still have : Acronis True Image for WD :

 

Maybe a thing to stop giving the needed software away. Recession maybe the culprit or excuse.

 

Hi, ya 34bucks a year ?/  A little pricey.

It is a one-time purchase. You can keep it until ver 9 or whatever is next or until updates end for it.

I bought 7 and then 8 when it came out and will buy the next one.

Just to put a bit of a reality check here -

 

Fair enough EOL for the Free version of Macrium Reflect 8 has been announced, with patches and support ending on 1st Jan 2024, but:

 

Has anyone actually seen anything that says there will not be a Free version of Macriun Reflect 9 ?

Edited by Nukecad, 27 November 2022 - 05:45 AM.

Just to put a bit of a reality check here -

 

Fair enough EOL for the Free version of Macrium Reflect 8 has been announced, with patches and support ending on 1st Jan 2024, but:

 

Has anyone actually seen anything that says there will not be a Free version of Macriun Reflect 9 ?

It came in the form of a pop-up notification. 

 

https://www.ghacks.net/2022/11/27/backup-software-macrium-reflect-free-is-being-retired/