Best disk image software?

So, it seems you're committed to the "disk imaging" approach.
That's certainly an option.

The only thing I am committed to is having access to all of the files on the old computer regardless of where they are (C:, D:, some hidden folders, ???) after that computer is no longer available. I might want to look the old Registry to see what some setting was. That is why I am looking for disk image software that will create a set of folders exactly like what they were. I can then use tools like Beyond Compare to make sure that my Win 11 folders are complete and File Locator Pro to search for files.
 

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

The comments I got there and elsewhere led me to believe that simply copying the C: drive might not get everything. There were comments about hidden and protected files. I actually did try copying the C: drive. I got a bunch of warnings that some files were "protected" (or something).

 

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?

 

All backup software has quirks, and I can't test every backup program on

market (over months/years?) to feel confident my clients' data is secure.

With all my beefs with True Image, it works.  Now if we can convince them

to abandon the subscription model ...

I was referring to DATA (documents, videos, pictures, music), etc. :-)
Those would be just flat file/folder copy/paste...
Similar procedures for emails.

You don't *need* the entire C: drive *or* a disk image to do any of that.

Besides, you will need to freshly *install* (not copy) 3rd-party programs and apps on the new computer, anyway.

Why would one want/need the old Windows 10 "registry" and "settings" and such on a different Windows 11 computer???
They are two different OSs.
You could end up breaking the new OS by "copying" the wrong stuff (e.g. system files or registry keys) from the old Win10 computer to the new Win11 device.
You only need your data.

Methinks perhaps you might be over-thinking this and making it harder than it needs to be???

Yes, as @hamluis mentioned, many popular, 3rd-party disk imaging programs provide a means to access files/folders from a disk image.
You'll need to research, select (and perhaps purchase) a 3rd-party program, install it on both computers, become facile with it and then try it...
Whereas, with just a flat file/folder copy & paste using a USB external hard drive, you could accomplish moving your data in a relative jiffy, likely a fraction of the time.

Another option would be to use a cloud backup service, either MS OneDrive or 3rd-party.

Anyway, there's more than 1 way to skin the cat.
I hope you get it sorted and that you're up & running soon.

Cheers

A clone is an exact copy of a drive.  It requires a separate disc.  You can remove the existing disc and replace it with the clone and the computer will boot.  You can get a disc to USB cable to access the drive to make a clone or to see it in file explorer and access files as needed..

 

An image is a file which contains a compressed copy of the original disk.  Image files are usually stored on an external drive.   Multiple image files can be saved on one disk.  The system can be restored by booting from a thumb drive, accessing the image file and restoring it.  Alternately you can mount the image file and see it in file explorer and copy files as needed. 

 

The image process can be automated to make images on a regular basis.  One should have at least one image file not connected to the computer.

 

Also one should also have at least one clone not connected to the computer.  It can also be automated but a drive would have to be connected to the computer.

 

If opting for Macrium I would get the Reflect 8 Home Trial free for thirty days then after thirty days $79.99 for the forever version.

Ok. As suggested by several here, I attempted to copy the Win 10 C: drive to a 2 TB My Passport USB drive. While the copy operation was progressing, I got several error messages. Here are a few, but I got quite a few more.

 

 Copy 01.jpg   79.43KB   0 downloads

 Copy 02.jpg   95KB   0 downloads

 Copy 03.jpg   94.16KB   0 downloads

 

This is why I am uncomfortable using Copy and am looking for a disk image backup. Each time I tried to select the option to continue, but I don't know if it worked and I don't know what is in those folders.

Hi, again:

 

"Copying" the C: drive will not work.

 

You either need to copy/paste YOUR DATA FILES/FOLDERS (as described), or you need to IMAGE the DRIVE using 3rd-party imaging software (as described).

(FWIW it seems that @zeuspaul may have mistakenly thought - based on your topic title - that you were asking about disk image backups, as that is the primary use of disk imaging software programs. You are really just asking for a way to MOVE YOUR DATA from old computer to new computer.)

 

I've done my best to try to explain things, including an alternate, easier, faster, cheaper way to move your data.

 

I'll bow out and leave you to the other folks.

Good luck!

@Cynthia, Post#20:

Imaging was created for the purpose of backup efficiency. I have only used MReflect and never had a failure in over 10 years. Why imaging for backups? In addition to Zeuspaul Post #19: excellent info:

Images can also be accessed for data retrieval in realtime; R-click on the image and mount it; a VM mounts the image in the same tree structure as Windows Explore. Just browse to the data file you want, and drag & drop in onto your desktop. All data is now available, even if the image is years old. You can actually run videos and programs straight from the image. How convenient is that?!

I have used my current image to restore to a new drive and it has worked every time.

As Zeuspaul posted, multiple compressed images are saved as single files (very convenient) and multiples can be kept, as many as you like on a single drive. When kept on an external backup drive which is physically disconnected from the main computer it is the only true protection against virus and ransomware attacks.

 

Cloning was created for a one-shot transfer of one OS to a new drive. Never intended for regular security backups or virtual data retrieval.

You can follow this article on Creating a backup image of your COMPUTER, (drive, or partitions) to create a disk image backup of your entire Windows 10 computer with Macrium Reflect 8 Free Trials.

 

Good luck!

Hi, again:

 

One last try to regroup – If I still understand your original objective correctly, it is to TRANSFER FILES and DATA  (your “stuff”) FROM A WIN10 COMPUTER TO A DIFFERENT WIN11 COMPUTER.

 

In other words, you want to move the contents of your house to a new building. You do NOT seek to (and should not try to) relocate the entire structure itself, contents and all, on its foundation to a new lot. 

 

Here are a few online articles. Perhaps they will explain the options better than I can.

>>>Offered “as is” SOLELY for information – do NOT download, install or purchase anything<<<

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/transferring-files-and-data-from-windows-10-to-a/2497ea1b-2ccb-4fe7-9d6a-1efe44ffc21e

https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/best-ways-to-transfer-files-to-windows-11-computer/

https://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/how-to-transfer-files-from-windows-10-to-windows-11.html

https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/transfter-files-from-windows-10-to-11.html

 

There are likely YouTube videos, as well, but be wary – quality varies widely.

 

I understand how confusing and frustrating personal computing can be. I apologize if I misunderstand your objective and could not explain things properly.

I hope you get up and running very soon on your new computer.

Cheers

You can follow this article on Creating a backup image of your COMPUTER, (drive, or partitions) to create a disk image backup of your entire Windows 10 computer with Macrium Reflect 8 Free Trials.

 

Good luck!

 

Despite several less than positive impressions of Macrium, the company, I followed your link to download the trial version. I got more less than positive impressions of the company.

 

First, they require way too much personal information. 

 

Second, the download is actually 3 downloads. First, I download the download downloader. Then that downloads the installer downloader, which downloads the installer.

 

Then this really negative experience. As illustrated in the attached screenshots, I ran the installer, got the Welcome screen, checked that I agreed with the License agreement, and was shown a License Key dialog. The 30 day trial box was checked and the license key was greyed out. When I clicked Next, I got a message that the trerial had expired. GGGGggggrrrrrrrrrr....

 

I created a ticket, but it says they will get to it in 1-2 days.

Another option to get beyond the permissions might be Robocopy.  It's just a guess but you can run Robocopy as the administrator.  Lower left in the search box type command  and select Command Prompt and Run as Administrator.  You could use the command robocopy C:\ D:\ /mir /copyall to copy an entire drive or something like robocopy C:\For Pending D:\For Pending /mir /copyall if you want to copy just a folder.

 

Robocopy can be used with a clone to transfer files back to another computer but that procedure won't work with an image.

 

To make things easy with Robocopy I keep the commands I use in notepad and then copy and paste them into Command Prompt.  Be careful with Robocopy because there are no warnings such as do you really want to do this?

I find that Robocopy is more like a science or sorcery than a user friendly tool and getting the right commands is a reason to save and copy/paste as you do.

 

I have provided-ed the info several times but have found no one that has succeeded as of yet :  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy

@ Cynthia Post#25

I feel your pain.  

I notice that you are attempting to install the trial Workstation version which is for businesses; what you want is the in-home version.

Try that, it may be easier.

@ Cynthia Post#25

I feel your pain.  

I notice that you are attempting to install the trial Workstation version which is for businesses; what you want is the in-home version.

Try that, it may be easier.

 

Well, it was definitely easier. Required much less personal information. But after going through the same installation procedure, I got the expiry message again.

 

 Macrium Home 01 Trial product expired.jpg   68.57KB   0 downloads

I was able to install it on my new Win 11 laptop, so I'l be able to access the backup if I can ever make one.

 

But it is still failing on the Win 10 laptop, so . . .

 

On the Win 11 laptop, the expiry dialog showed a date 30 days in the future (11/30/23). I wonder if there is something wrong with the date on my Win 10 machine? It reads 10/30/23.

 

?????