Do you know any backup software similar to Macrium? I'm looking for another backup program.
Do you know any backup software similar to Macrium? I'm looking for another backup program.
Hi,
I’m seeking guidance on a second backup solution.
Currently, I rely on Macrium Reflect, but I need an alternative backup program as a backup if Macrium encounters issues.
Other backup tools have failed once before.
My setup involves daily incremental system and data backups, plus a monthly full backup.
I’d like to use one program for the hard drive and another for a different drive.
Each month I store complete backups on external drives.
I require a tool that lets me modify my monthly backup settings as Macrium does.
I’ve tried Acronis, Aomei, Ashampoo, and EaseUS, but found them unsatisfactory.
With these options, creating a new backup at the start of the month demands starting from scratch, which is inconvenient when dealing with numerous files instead of a single drive.
I’ve looked online but haven’t found suitable alternatives.
Most backup programs focus on real-time or live backups only.
What I need is historical/daily incremental backups that I can restore if my system fails or if I need an older version of a document.
The recommended software could be free or paid, but I prefer something with a graphical interface rather than command-line tools.
A solution similar to Macrium would be ideal.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
At one point (about ten years ago) Paragon offered a wide range of disk management tools. I believe it was a British company with a strong reputation. I used some of their products effectively, though I don’t remember all their features. It’s unclear how much of their offerings are still available for free. Recently I visited their website again after a long time: Paragon Software | Main page – Storage and file system management, data safety and disaster recovery for home and business users, IT professionals and OEM providers. www.paragon-software.com
It failed because I didn't check the log files. Macrium (at least a couple of years ago) will not copy your system if there is an error in MBR/BCD (I forget which). I think it was an error in the physical hard drive itself, maybe just a byte gone bad.
You need to run chkdsk and dism EVERY day to check that there are no problems with your basic Windows files. Also check the integrity of your hard drive weekly..
Macrium copied my system for months, but when I tried to restore it, I couldn't. You live and learn. I also had a failure with Aomei forur or so years ago. I was using an old free copy. There was a bug in it which prevented me doing a restore.
Moral of the tale: you can't be too careful with backups. Now I use two programs to separate hard drives. With one hard drive, there could be a hard drive failure of course. But the a byte might fail here or there which would mess up a whole string of incremental backups.
Right now, I've given up on EaseUS so I'm again looking for a second backup program. One like Macrium. Having a hard time finding one, as stated in my post.
ALL of these tools will fail on recovery if there is a software or physical drive error.
This wasn't a Macrium fail.
I would support the argument if a reputational backup software fails without any clear cause, such as checking online forums or bug reports for similar issues. This would suggest a hardware issue is more probable than a software problem.
Also, regarding alternative software options, I didn’t specify key features—please clarify what you mean by that.
Hi Grobe,
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I really appreciate it. I explored the link you shared and found it interesting. I follow her guidance in the office, but I don’t store copies off-site. Until now I’ve avoided the cloud because of concerns about security and data loss. Maybe strong encryption could make cloud backups more reliable—something like twenty random characters, including special symbols or just something only you would know (My1stpetwasabird). Thanks!
I’d prefer to keep backups on an external hard drive outside my home (in the garage or shed). However, I live in Long Island, New York, where temperatures can drop significantly and my outbuildings often get damp due to the trees. I’m not sure if a hard drive would perform well in such conditions.
If you have time, I’d value your advice.
P.S. Any recommendations for backup programs similar to Macrium?
Once more, if this is the case,
nothing will function properly:
"...an issue with MBR/BCD (I can't remember which). I suspect a problem with the physical hard drive, perhaps just a single byte corrupted."
Most of the LIKE tools have already been discussed.
EaseUS, Acronis, etc.
I've tested several, and within the Windows environment, Macrium stands out as the best choice.
That's my opinion.