The End of Macrium Reflect Free

[s|b]

<https://www.macrium.com/product-support-policy>

<quote>

Macrium Reflect Free Product - End Of Life (EOL)

Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 is the last version to receive feature,
compatibility or bug fix updates.

Will future security vulnerabilities be fixed?

Yes, security patches will still be provided until 1st January 2024.
After that date we will no longer provide any changes to the v8 Free
code base.

Can I continue to use Macrium Reflect Free?

Yes, you can continue to use the software in perpetuity, your license to
use the software is unaffected.

Will Macrium Reflect Free have any new features or updates for future
Windows versions?

Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 supports Windows XP SP 3.0 up to, and
including, Windows 10 & 11 version 22H2. There will be no new features
or support for later Windows operating system updates.

 

Note: This notice only applies to Macrium Reflect Free.

</quote>

--
s|b

[Shadow]

Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
prefer, because it's not "installed".

For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync or AOMEI Backupper.

PS The Wikipedia page has the date wrong:

//
Note 2024-01-01: Free edition retired.Macrium Reflect v8.0 is the last

version to receive feature, compatibility or bug fix updates.

//

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrium_Reflect>
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
Google Fuchsia - 2021

[VanguardLH]

https://www.macrium.com/a-message-from-the-ceo

Perhaps in a year they'll be releasing v9, and you're expected to update
to it, or stick with an old version that doesn't get any updates. They
already said v8 is the last version to get updates, because they're not
supporting discontinued older versions. Same will happen when v9 comes
out, and support for the free v8 gets discontinued.

"When Reflect 9 is released, Reflect 8 will enter extended support for
one year. Reflect 8 will continue to receive critical bug fix releases
and you will continue to have access to Macrium customer support on
Reflect 8 (if your support contract is still active)."

Citing just a part of the article is misleading. I don't see that
Macrium is yet releasing v9. Is there a reason you are averse to
upgrading to v9 from v8, especially since you won't be paying anything
unlike their other customers of their payware editions?

You don't have a support contract with the free edition. Since they say
updates will continue until Jan 1, 2024, and say they continue for 1
year after EOL for v8, seems they should be releasing v9 very soon.

However, looks like the Free edition is getting retired according to:

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

If Macrium doesn't come out with a version 9 of the Free edition, yep,
that's the end of their free edition. You'll have to continue using the
old version 8 free edition, or move to something else. You've got a
year to see if Free v9 shows up, plan to migrate to a different product,
or keep using the old v8. If the old v8 Free edition is currently
working for you now, it will in the future, too. Unlikely v9, if it
ever appears, will give you any bang-for-the-buck. You don't have the
new features in v9 now, so you won't miss them when v9 shows up.

[John C.]

Shadow wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:40:08 +0100, "s|b" <m...@privacy.invalid> wrote:
>
>> <https://www.macrium.com/product-support-policy>
>>
>> <quote>
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free Product - End Of Life (EOL)
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 is the last version to receive feature,
>> compatibility or bug fix updates.
>>
>> Will future security vulnerabilities be fixed?
>>
>> Yes, security patches will still be provided until 1st January 2024.
>> After that date we will no longer provide any changes to the v8 Free
>> code base.
>>
>> Can I continue to use Macrium Reflect Free?
>>
>> Yes, you can continue to use the software in perpetuity, your license to
>> use the software is unaffected.
>>
>> Will Macrium Reflect Free have any new features or updates for future
>> Windows versions?
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 supports Windows XP SP 3.0 up to, and
>> including, Windows 10 & 11 version 22H2. There will be no new features
>> or support for later Windows operating system updates.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Note: This notice only applies to Macrium Reflect Free.
>>
>> </quote>
>
> Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
> prefer, because it's not "installed".
>
> For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync

Will FreeFileSync do full partition incremental clones? Can I back up my
main partition (the one with the OS on it) with it?

If I remember correctly, Bear Bottoms originally recommended it, but for
backing up data. Then a short while later, he recommended SyncBackFree
(which I use to back up data, but not my entire main partition.)

> or AOMEI Backupper.
>
> PS The Wikipedia page has the date wrong:
>
> //
> Note 2024-01-01: Free edition retired.Macrium Reflect v8.0 is the last
> version to receive feature, compatibility or bug fix updates.
> //
>
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrium_Reflect>

A major lack which led to me not using Macrium Reflect Free was that it
doesn't do incremental clones.

--
John C. BS206. No ad, CD, cripple, demo, nag, pay, pirated, share, spy,
time-limited, trial or web wares for me please. I filter out posts made
from Google Groups and cross-posted (sent to more than one newsgroup at
a time) messages. I recommend you do likewise.

[Shadow]

On Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:32:36 -0800, "John C." <r9j...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

No, it just backs up data, and if the file in the backup has
the same name but different content, it renames it.
For example, if I'm backing up xnview.ini and that file
already exists at the destination it will be renamed
xnview.ini_2023-01-13 074920 and the newer version will be backed up
as xnview.ini. That's not automatic, you have to configure
FreeFileSync to do that.
I do a lot of pruning in the backup. as Xnview changes items
in the .ini every time it's used. Some programs only mess with the
.ini or .cfg if you change a preference(so there will be few in the
destination folder), and others write to the registry. FFS can't back
them up, which is why I always prefer portable.
The advantage is I can back up all my settings in under a
couple of minutes, zip the folder and save it to a pendrive.
A full Disk clone with Clonezilla takes hours.
[]'s

>
>If I remember correctly, Bear Bottoms originally recommended it, but for
>backing up data. Then a short while later, he recommended SyncBackFree
>(which I use to back up data, but not my entire main partition.)
>
>> or AOMEI Backupper.
>>
>> PS The Wikipedia page has the date wrong:
>>
>> //
>> Note 2024-01-01: Free edition retired.Macrium Reflect v8.0 is the last
>> version to receive feature, compatibility or bug fix updates.
>> //
>>
>> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrium_Reflect>
>
>A major lack which led to me not using Macrium Reflect Free was that it
>doesn't do incremental clones.
--

[Zaphod]

For those stating that ver8 will still work, you won't be able to install 8 on a machine that does not already have it installed once 9 is released due to it being installed by an online installer, unless some has the redistributable? which was available some time ago, but believe they ceased that option.

[occam]

On 12/01/2023 20:05, Shadow wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:40:08 +0100, "s|b" <m...@privacy.invalid> wrote:
>
>> <https://www.macrium.com/product-support-policy>
>>
>> <quote>
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free Product - End Of Life (EOL)
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 is the last version to receive feature,
>> compatibility or bug fix updates.
>>
>> Will future security vulnerabilities be fixed?
>>
>> Yes, security patches will still be provided until 1st January 2024.
>> After that date we will no longer provide any changes to the v8 Free
>> code base.
>>
>> Can I continue to use Macrium Reflect Free?
>>
>> Yes, you can continue to use the software in perpetuity, your license to
>> use the software is unaffected.
>>
>> Will Macrium Reflect Free have any new features or updates for future
>> Windows versions?
>>
>> Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 supports Windows XP SP 3.0 up to, and
>> including, Windows 10 & 11 version 22H2. There will be no new features
>> or support for later Windows operating system updates.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Note: This notice only applies to Macrium Reflect Free.
>>
>> </quote>
>
> Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
> prefer, because it's not "installed".
>
> For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync or AOMEI Backupper.

I also use the last two. FreeFileSync for data backups, AOMEI for Full
disc backups.

Can I ask - what is the advantage of Clonezilla over AOMEI for full
backups (apart from portability)?

[occam]

On 13/01/2023 15:32, John C. wrote:
> A major lack which led to me not using Macrium Reflect Free was that it
> doesn't do incremental clones.

What is your fixation with 'incremental' clones (or full backups) John?
It makes sense for data backups. However, unwinding (recovering) from
such a backup is far more complicated process, hence time consuming and
prone to errors.

[Shadow]

On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 12:02:42 +0100, occam <oc...@nowhere.nix> wrote:

>On 12/01/2023 20:05, Shadow wrote:

....

>>
>> Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
>> prefer, because it's not "installed".
>>
>> For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync or AOMEI Backupper.
>
>I also use the last two. FreeFileSync for data backups, AOMEI for Full
>disc backups.
>
>Can I ask - what is the advantage of Clonezilla over AOMEI for full
>backups (apart from portability)?

None really. I use AOMEI on my laptop and Clonezilla on my
Desktop. Since my Desktop's HD is large, I leave Clonezilla "cloning"
all night, while the laptop's backup takes a few minutes(I use
incremental for that).
After I'm done with Clonezilla I swap the drives(destiny on
the PC and original in storage) and have to recover the grub
bootloader before I can test the backup. Cloning always bugg$%rs that
up. I have no idea why.

[Nic]

I gave up on software backups a while back, I have been using an
external cloning device with great success. See the link at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Dual-Bay-Docking-Station-Functions/dp/B018FTE87S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=163ACL25AMFII&keywords=wavlink+cloning&qid=1673707104&sprefix=wavlink+cloning%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-3

A 1 Tb ssd to 1 Tb ssd takes about 45 minutes, it clones the entire
drive and all its partitions. For this to work the source drive must be
the same size or smaller than the target drive.

[Shadow]

On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 09:45:14 -0500, Nic <N...@none.net> wrote:

>On 1/14/23 8:27 AM, Shadow wrote:
>> On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 12:02:42 +0100, occam <oc...@nowhere.nix> wrote:
>>
>>> On 12/01/2023 20:05, Shadow wrote:
>> ....
>>>> Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
>>>> prefer, because it's not "installed".
>>>>
>>>> For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync or AOMEI Backupper.
>>> I also use the last two. FreeFileSync for data backups, AOMEI for Full
>>> disc backups.
>>>
>>> Can I ask - what is the advantage of Clonezilla over AOMEI for full
>>> backups (apart from portability)?
>> None really. I use AOMEI on my laptop and Clonezilla on my
>> Desktop. Since my Desktop's HD is large, I leave Clonezilla "cloning"
>> all night, while the laptop's backup takes a few minutes(I use
>> incremental for that).
>> After I'm done with Clonezilla I swap the drives(destiny on
>> the PC and original in storage) and have to recover the grub
>> bootloader before I can test the backup. Cloning always bugg$%rs that
>> up. I have no idea why.
>> []'s
>

>I gave up on software backups a while back, I have been using an
>external cloning device with great success. See the link at Amazon

>https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Dual-Bay-Docking-Station-Functions/dp/B018FTE87S<link snipped for privacy>

>
>A 1 Tb ssd to 1 Tb ssd takes about 45 minutes, it clones the entire
>drive and all its partitions. For this to work the source drive must be
>the same size or smaller than the target drive.

What software does it use? I saw AOMEI in the comments
section.
TIA

[s|b]

On Thu, 12 Jan 2023 22:12:56 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

> Citing just a part of the article is misleading. I don't see that
> Macrium is yet releasing v9. Is there a reason you are averse to
> upgrading to v9 from v8, especially since you won't be paying anything
> unlike their other customers of their payware editions?

There is no v9 yet, but when it's released, I will have to pay for it if
I want to use it.

> You don't have a support contract with the free edition. Since they say
> updates will continue until Jan 1, 2024, and say they continue for 1
> year after EOL for v8, seems they should be releasing v9 very soon.

They've just announced EOL for v8 and v9 won't have a free version.

--
s|b

[John C.]

occam wrote:
> John C. wrote:
>>
>> A major lack which led to me not using Macrium Reflect Free was that it
>> doesn't do incremental clones.
>
> What is your fixation with 'incremental' clones (or full backups) John?
> It makes sense for data backups.

If the drive with my main partition on it crashes, then it's far easier
to recover using a disc image.

If I get a new computer instead of just a new drive, then backing up the
data only makes far more sense.

> However, unwinding (recovering) from
> such a backup is far more complicated process, hence time consuming and
> prone to errors.

That simply hasn't been my experience. This is because of my advanced
organizational skills.

[John C.]

John C. wrote:
> occam wrote:
>> John C. wrote:
>>>
>>> A major lack which led to me not using Macrium Reflect Free was that it
>>> doesn't do incremental clones.
>>
>> What is your fixation with 'incremental' clones (or full backups) John?
>> It makes sense for data backups.

It's not a "fixation", it's simply a preference. And it's because it
saves a lot of time, so that I'm able to do the procedure more
frequently -thus assuring that newer files get backed up.

[Nic]

I don't know what software it uses, it is a stand alone device which
copies disk to disk. It is not connected to computer.

[Shadow]

On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 13:32:22 -0500, Nic <N...@none.net> wrote:

>On 1/14/23 10:37 AM, Shadow wrote:
>> On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 09:45:14 -0500, Nic <N...@none.net> wrote:
>>
>>> On 1/14/23 8:27 AM, Shadow wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 12:02:42 +0100, occam <oc...@nowhere.nix> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 12/01/2023 20:05, Shadow wrote:
>>>> ....
>>>>>> Well, for full backups there's always Clonezilla. Which I
>>>>>> prefer, because it's not "installed".
>>>>>>
>>>>>> For incremental I prefer FreeFileSync or AOMEI Backupper.
>>>>> I also use the last two. FreeFileSync for data backups, AOMEI for Full
>>>>> disc backups.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can I ask - what is the advantage of Clonezilla over AOMEI for full
>>>>> backups (apart from portability)?
>>>> None really. I use AOMEI on my laptop and Clonezilla on my
>>>> Desktop. Since my Desktop's HD is large, I leave Clonezilla "cloning"
>>>> all night, while the laptop's backup takes a few minutes(I use
>>>> incremental for that).
>>>> After I'm done with Clonezilla I swap the drives(destiny on
>>>> the PC and original in storage) and have to recover the grub
>>>> bootloader before I can test the backup. Cloning always bugg$%rs that
>>>> up. I have no idea why.
>>>> []'s

..

>>> I gave up on software backups a while back, I have been using an
>>> external cloning device with great success. See the link at Amazon
>>> https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Dual-Bay-Docking-Station-Functions/dp/B018FTE87S<link snipped for privacy>
>>>
>>> A 1 Tb ssd to 1 Tb ssd takes about 45 minutes, it clones the entire
>>> drive and all its partitions. For this to work the source drive must be
>>> the same size or smaller than the target drive.
>> What software does it use? I saw AOMEI in the comments
>> section.
>> TIA
>> []'s

>I don't know what software it uses, it is a stand alone device which
>copies disk to disk. It is not connected to computer.

LOL, it must boot something when you turn it on, even if it's
only a minimal Linux system with "dd". Is there no configuration or
menu?
Clones don't happen "by magik".

[Nic]

There is no menu and no booting, just simply plug the source disk into
the source slot and the target disk into the target slot, it does not
need your computer to operate, sort of metal to metal transfer . It may
be using some cpu which is using DD but I have no way of verifieng. It
works. I guess the only negative is that you have to have a 2nd disk
(target) of same size or larger  to clone to, rather than a software
image which can be problematic especially if you rely on some usb
external drive to copy the image. If you go to the amazon site for the
product I think there is a video, or just search for wavelink cloning on
yutube.

[se...@hereandthere.com]

On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 08:56:36 -0800, "John C." <r9j...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>>> occam wrote:
>>> What is your fixation with 'incremental' clones (or full backups) John?
>>> It makes sense for data backups.
>
>It's not a "fixation", it's simply a preference. And it's because it
>saves a lot of time, so that I'm able to do the procedure more
>frequently -thus assuring that newer files get backed up.
>

Occam says it's complicated? Prone to errors? That's ridiculous.

I don't know squat about Windows or much else regarding computers.
I've used full and incremental backups for years with no problem.
It's simple compared with all the stuff you guys talk about. Those
True Image or AOMEI backups have saved me numerous times over the
years.

[Shadow]

>There is no menu and no booting, just simply plug the source disk into
>the source slot and the target disk into the target slot, it does not
>need your computer to operate, sort of metal to metal transfer . It may
>be using some cpu which is using DD but I have no way of verifieng. It
>works. I guess the only negative is that you have to have a 2nd disk
>(target) of same size or larger  to clone to, rather than a software
>image which can be problematic especially if you rely on some usb
>external drive to copy the image. If you go to the amazon site for the
>product I think there is a video, or just search for wavelink cloning on
>yutube.

OK, I got it. Pity it costs so much here, around 1/3 of a
worker's monthly wage.
Probably some embedded firmware does the clone.
I used something similar ~20 years ago, a docking station
which you installed in one of the 5 1/4" drive bays. You plugged your
destination drive into the doc, booted the computer and copied your
files over using Explorer. Then turned the computer off and removed
the backup drive, then booted again. Advantage: You never had to open
up the computer for a backup. Disadvantage: The "drive in use" was
always the same one, and tended to wear out faster.
FWIW

[Nic]

Pity the costs, just get one and help all your hencho's, what news are
you hearing from Peru? Now that you have got rid of the US installed
puppet Bolsinaro, is LULU the real deal?

I hear that things are not going well for Zelensky. What would happen if
the House of Rothschild had to sell off most of their assets, all those
opulent holdings, and paid reparations, do you think that would help the
reset , like the 'great reset'? As for free ware software things are
looking pretty slim, for m$ that is, how do you see ahead, will all the
tonka toy $ windows players prevail in some dystopian flaming
transgender world population, or genuine creativity prevail?

Like the Chzeck women said to me no money no honey..

[wasbit]

On 14/01/2023 14:45, Nic wrote:
>
> snip <

>
> I gave up on software backups a while back, I have been using an
> external cloning device with great success. See the link at Amazon
> https://www.amazon.com/WAVLINK-Dual-Bay-Docking-Station-Functions/dp/B018FTE87S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=163ACL25AMFII&keywords=wavlink+cloning&qid=1673707104&sprefix=wavlink+cloning%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-3
>
>
> A 1 Tb ssd to 1 Tb ssd takes about 45 minutes, it clones the entire
> drive and all its partitions. For this to work the source drive must be
> the same size or smaller than the target drive.
>

Looking at the reviews for similar sold on Amazon UK, the failure rate
is too high to take a chance on.

--
Regards
wasbit

[p-0''0-h the cat (coder)]

I know I'm just a cat but am I missing something? Is Nic advocating
wasting valuable snooze time taking your HD out of your computer and
sticking it into this? Am I looking for sense where none exists?

This must be one of those Linux wins that we don't hear about. No easy
route to live full disk backups.

There is hope though. At last. The Linux mob should be shouting about
this. I wonder why not. Is it hurting their little heads.

https://cgicoffee.com/blog/2021/05/backup-and-restore-live-linux-system-using-lvm-snapshots-how-to-install-linux-mint-on-lvm-partition

Me, I'm taking the easy route because I'm a cat and I don't have an hour
a day to waste on this malarkey. There are far more important things to
do like chasing leaves and poncing grub off humans.

p-0.0-h the cat, the number one influencer on the Usenet Social!

Live everyday like you're a really cool cat!

Sent from my iFurryUnderbelly.

--
p-0.0-h the cat

Internet Terrorist, Mass sock puppeteer, Agent provocateur, Gutter rat,
Devil incarnate, Linux user#666, BaStarD hacker, Resident evil, Monkey Boy,
Certifiable criminal, Spineless cowardly scum, textbook Psychopath,
the SCOURGE, l33t p00h d3 tr0ll, p00h == lam3r, p00h == tr0ll, troll infâme,
the OVERCAT [The BEARPAIR are dead, and we are its murderers], lowlife troll,
shyster [pending approval by STATE_TERROR], cripple, sociopath, kook,
smug prick, smartarse, arsehole, moron, idiot, imbecile, snittish scumbag,
liar, total ******* retard, shill, pooh-seur, Pooh Dendum, scouringerer,
jumped up chav, punk ass dole whore troll, no nothing innumerate religious
maniac, lycanthropic schizotypal lesbian, professional bully and stalker,
the most complete ignoid, joker, and furball.

NewsGroups Numbrer One Terrorist

Honorary SHYSTER and FRAUD awarded for services to Haberdashery.
By Appointment to God Frank-Lin.

Signature integrity check
md5 Checksum: be0b2a8c486d83ce7db9a459b26c4896

I mark any messages from trolls »Q« and 'Arlene' Holder as stinky

[p-0''0-h the cat (coder)]

On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 08:54:12 -0800, "John C." <r9j...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>That simply hasn't been my experience. This is because of my advanced
>organizational skills.

This guy is the stuff of legend.

[Nic]

On 1/15/23 5:55 AM, p-0''0-h the cat (coder) wrote:
> I know I'm just a cat but am I missing something? Is Nic advocating
> wasting valuable snooze time taking your HD out of your computer and
> sticking it into this? Am I looking for sense where none exists?

Yes it does require some skill level above a cat.

[John C.]

p-0''0-h the cat (coder) wrote:

> John C. wrote:
>>
>> That simply hasn't been my experience. This is because of my advanced
>> organizational skills.
>
> This guy is the stuff of legend.

Damned right. And don't you forget it! 80)>

[occam]

On 15/01/2023 13:23, p-0''0-h the cat (coder) wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Jan 2023 08:54:12 -0800, "John C." <r9j...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> That simply hasn't been my experience. This is because of my advanced
>> organizational skills.
>
> This guy is the stuff of legend.
>

"A legend in his own mind" is the phrase that pops to mind.

[VanguardLH]

So continue using v8. It must be working for you now, so keep using it.