Best disk image software?

I just bought a new Win 11 laptop and am in the process of moving everything over from my old Win 10 laptop. I have an Office 365 subscription, so I have OneDrive. My original plan was to copy everything on Win 10 to OneDrive and then be able to access it from Win 11. Unfortunately, OneDrive has been flakey. So now my plan is to do a disk image backup on Win 10 using software that will allow me to "mount" that backup on Win 11 and access those files and folders.

 

I used Macrium a long time ago and as I remember it worked pretty well. I may have also used Acronis, but that was also a long time ago.

 

I would appreciate recommendations for a really good software application that will do what I need it to do. It absolutely does not need to be free.

 

Thanks for all help.

Edited by hamluis, 29 October 2023 - 03:05 PM.
Moved from W11 to Backup/Imaging - Hamluis.

You can use Macrium Reflect 8 Home Free Trial for 30 days and then purchase Macrium Reflect 8 Home.

 

Or you can use Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Free Trial for 30 days and then purchase Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Essentials, Advanced, or Premium.

 

Good luck!

You can use Macrium Reflect 8 Home Free Trial for 30 days and then purchase Macrium Reflect 8 Home.

 

Or you can use Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Free Trial for 30 days and then purchase Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Essentials, Advanced, or Premium.

 

Good luck!

 

Do you have a preference between those two?

 

All I want is to be able to make a complete copy of the Win 10 disk on a USB drive and then be able to access that data on my Win 11 machine where I will be able to see all of the files and folders.

 

Thanks

Yes, as a Home User, I have no affiliation with Acronis, but I use Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Essentials, which has worked flawlessly for eight years on a row.

But I still have not tried to "mount" a disk image backup in File Explorer, such as you intend to do, and I only use Windows 10, but both alternatives should be capable of doing that.

As such, maybe other more knowledgeable members on "mounting" and Windows 11 will chime in with their observations.

Good luck!

Macrium allows/accomplishes what your stated desires are.

 

Louis

There too many ways in Windows itself, 5 ways : https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/backup-data-windows-10-1128.html  as well this software is free for home use.

 

& ToDo BackUp Free : https://www.easeus.com/  As to how they would workout for your use I do not know.

There too many ways in Windows itself, 5 ways : https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/backup-data-windows-10-1128.html  as well this software is free for home use.

 

& ToDo BackUp Free : https://www.easeus.com/  As to how they would workout for your use I do not know.

 

I am wary of using anything from M$FT. They tend to think they know what I need better than I do and so their sofware often does unexpected things and/or leaves out things. I am just looking for a tool that will make a complete disk backup of all of the data on the old PC in a form that allows me to access it as if it were the D: or E: disk.

 

I looked at Macrium. They have a forum, but you have to already be a registered user to use it. Stupid.

 

I looked at Acronis. They do not have a forum. They have chat, but it is not available now.

I use Macrium and have never found a need for a dedicated forum.  I just do the basics, clones and images.  I started with the free version but upgraded to the paid version because I found it very useful and wanted to make a contribution.

 

It's easy to mount an image and you see the drive in Windows Explorer and can copy any file you want.  If using a clone you can also see everything in Windows Explorer.  Most here prefer images however I prefer clones.  I prefer clones because I find them easier and faster to restore my system.  A clone requires a separate dedicated drive an image does not.  I recommend doing both.  Google is your friend, there is a lot of documentation for Macrium.

 

I tried a couple of others but got stifled when I was informed "you can't do that without an upgrade".  I am sticking with Macrium.

 

My system was limping along so I came here for advice before buying a new machine.  It was recommended that I make an image before making some changes but I also made a clone.  As I implemented some changes eventually the system totally failed to boot.  I went through the restoration process using an image but it still failed to boot likely due to the compromised system when making the image.  So I tried the clone and it booted but the system was still compromised.  I continued working on the fixes with the very helpful people here.  Eventually I got a working machine.

 

I made both images and clones for awhile but now just make clones.  I keep several clones of various dates and have restored using a clone three or four times.  I also sometimes find a missing file on one of the clones.  If I want to update a clone with a few files I use Robocopy.

I've installed over 100 copies of True Image backup software.

I know that many people use Macrium Reflect, but decided I

can't take a chance with my clients' data, and while the interface

for TI (still) sucks and don't ask me about the error messages

that get emailed if a backup fails, True Image has never failed

my clients.

 

Now the bad news, most/all of the backup companies (including Acronis/Cyber Protect)

are going to subscription models.  I understand this strategy from the

backup companies standpoint, but I refuse to ask my clients to

add (yet another) subscription to their lives.

 

Ultimately, I bought 25 copies of True Image for my clients,

but this will not last forever.

 

Finally, be sure to test your backups, including having multiple copies

of bootable flash drives so you can restore everything if your hard drive/SSD dies.

I use Macrium and have never found a need for a dedicated forum.  I just do the basics, clones and images.  I started with the free version but upgraded to the paid version because I found it very useful and wanted to make a contribution.

I wanted the forum so I could make sure I got the right application. Both Macrium and Acronis have multiple products. And I like to ask questions of other users. That info is often better than what I get from the company, probably because it hasn't been corrupted by the suits in Marketing.
 

It's easy to mount an image and you see the drive in Windows Explorer and can copy any file you want.  If using a clone you can also see everything in Windows Explorer.  Most here prefer images however I prefer clones.  I prefer clones because I find them easier and faster to restore my system.  A clone requires a separate dedicated drive an image does not.  I recommend doing both.  Google is your friend, there is a lot of documentation for Macrium.
 
I tried a couple of others but got stifled when I was informed "you can't do that without an upgrade".  I am sticking with Macrium.
 
My system was limping along so I came here for advice before buying a new machine.  It was recommended that I make an image before making some changes but I also made a clone.  As I implemented some changes eventually the system totally failed to boot.  I went through the restoration process using an image but it still failed to boot likely due to the compromised system when making the image.  So I tried the clone and it booted but the system was still compromised.  I continued working on the fixes with the very helpful people here.  Eventually I got a working machine.
 
I made both images and clones for awhile but now just make clones.  I keep several clones of various dates and have restored using a clone three or four times.  I also sometimes find a missing file on one of the clones.  If I want to update a clone with a few files I use Robocopy.

Can you elaborate on the difference between a "clone" and an "image"? Why would someone want one vs the other?

I've installed over 100 copies of True Image backup software.
I know that many people use Macrium Reflect, but decided I
can't take a chance with my clients' data,

What chances would you be taking with your clients' data if you were using Macrium?

With all due respect, Acronis does have a forum: Acronis Forum.

However, you have to register a user account and maybe even be a registered user to use it, but then you have access to their Premium customer support too.

As for why their chat is not available now is that Acronis has their headquarters in Switzerland, so they are likely only available during European business hours.

And FWIW, Acronis even has a member here on the BC forum whose user name is Bagaudin, but he has not been online since 2021.

Good luck!

With all due respect, Acronis does have a forum: Acronis Forum.

However, you have to register a user account and maybe even be a registered user to use it, but then you have access to their Premium customer support too.

That, in my opinion, is stupid. By banning potential users, they lose users. They may well have lost me. If they want to protect their registered users from a lot of fluff, make the forum sections read-only for non-registered users and provide a section or two for questions from unregistered folks.

Hi:

This topic appears to be a spinoff from your other recent topic:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/786431/best-way-to-migrate-from-win-10-to-win-11/

So, it seems you're committed to the "disk imaging" approach.
That's certainly an option.
But there's no "best" software application to suit every user.
There are advantages and disadvantages to all.
You're likely to elicit different, strong opinions - both pro and con - from different folks.

FWIW, as was suggested in your other topic, you could just copy data from the Win10 laptop to a USB external hard drive and then copy the data from there to the new Win11 laptop.
Easy peasy.
No third-party software required.
No cost.
No learning curve.
Very efficient with USB 3.x.
AND it provides the added benefit of creating an extra, accessible, backup copy of all your data.

I've used this approach countless times over the years without issues.

JMHO as a home user

Well, in that case, I see that you already are in good hands by other more knowledgeable members on disk imaging and cloning, and fervently hope you will find the software you are looking for, but as flawlessly as Acronis works, I will continue to use it.

Good luck!