Is is possible to create a system image of Win11Pro?

RDG · 2025-02-08T16:19:17-0500

Have tried via Control Panel/Backup and Restore (Win7) / Create a system image ....
I've encountered numerous error messages/codes and followed steps to correct them but keep ending up here. Note, I am having to replace a computer in which all USB ports have failed but the one to which the same external hard drive has been plugged in from the beginning still works. It was the default location of all my files which are all backed up. I restored the default location of the folders and deleted everything from this functioning drive. I even reformatted it. I get these error codes and have followed various steps on Microsoft's website to no avail.

RDG · 2025-02-08T17:43:15-0500

Macrium Reflect can create an image. Since I would be using this on a new computer, would I do so for all partitions or just for Primary-NTFS which appears to be the size which the Windows imaging process, that keeps failing, required. Thanks.

p5200 · 2025-02-08T17:56:23-0500

I always do full backups with Macrium it's a good program. I've heard there is still free versions available.

Bree · 2025-02-08T17:58:56-0500

RDG said:
Macrium Reflect can create an image. Since I would be using this on a new computer, would I do so for all partitions or just for Primary-NTFS which appears to be the size which the Windows imaging process, that keeps failing, required.

Partition 1 (100MB) is the EFI partition, required to be able to boot on a UEFI system, Partition 3 (953GB) is the Windows C: partition. At a minimum these two are essential for a bootable restored system. The 16MB partition 2 is the MSR partition, MS always create this on a GPT disk, and partition 4 is the Recovery partition. While a bootable system can work without them, I would include them in the image.

As you think that Backup & Restore (Windows 7) imaging appeared to have problems with the C: partition, then Reflect may also find problems. If so, you can tell Reflect to ignore bad sectors in Advanced Settings. Be aware that if you do so then your image may be of a damaged system. It may need repairs after the restore.

TraderGary · 2025-02-08T18:05:40-0500

I do daily full image backups of all partitions using Macrium Reflect and it has never failed to backup and restore perfectly.

p5200 · 2025-02-08T18:17:02-0500

I thought my Macrium X wasn't working right. Then I found out all I had to do was double click instead of once on the image drive to get to the image file lol!

RDG · 2025-02-08T18:40:12-0500

@Bree @TraderGary I downloaded the trial version and created the image required to backup and restore (2nd option) and it said it was successful. I have never used an image, other than restore points in Windows so I am unsure if this was the right choice. The new PC comes with Win11Pro, so that is a match. I will be setting it up as local without connection to an MS account, same as this one. At what point do I use this image and how?

@TraderGary I'm a bit taken aback by the $49 yearly to use this software. Is there another option that I didn't see? I use FreeFileSync (donation edition) to regularly back up user files. I'm an old gal and at 80 don't need (and can't afford) a lot of bells and whistles.

Ghot · 2025-02-08T18:47:06-0500

RDG said:
@Bree @TraderGary I downloaded the trial version and created the image required to backup and restore (2nd option) and it said it was successful. I have never used an image, other than restore points in Windows so I am unsure if this was the right choice. The new PC comes with Win11Pro, so that is a match. I will be setting it up as local without connection to an MS account, same as this one. At what point do I use this image and how?

@TraderGary I'm a bit taken aback by the $49 yearly to use this software. Is there another option that I didn't see? I use FreeFileSync (donation edition) to regularly back up user files. I'm an old gal and at 80 don't need (and can't afford) a lot of bells and whistles.

Here... and there's a link for the free download agent for Macrium v8.0 also...

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...

www.elevenforum.com

The RED partition is the Recovery partition. It doesn't have enough free space for Macrium.
You can just shrink the C: partition by 500MB and add it to the Recovery partition.

Minitool Partition Wizard (free) can do that for you...

Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Wizard Free

As an all-in-one free partition manager and disk manager software, MiniTool Partition Wizard Free helps manage disk space safely on Windows 11/10/8/7.

www.partitionwizard.com

Bree · 2025-02-08T18:55:14-0500

RDG said:
I'm a bit taken aback by the $49 yearly to use this software. Is there another option that I didn't see?

No, since the release of Reflect X an annual subscription is the only option, the previous version Reflect v8.1 was the last to offer the alternative of a one-time purchase.

There was a Reflect Free v8.0, but that has been retired now. It still works though, and can still be downloaded from Macrium. Link at the bottom of post #1 here: Latest Macrium Reflect 8 updates

Note that Reflect X introduced a new .mrimgx image format that v8 and earlier versions cannot read, though X can read and restore their earlier .mrimg format.

RDG · 2025-02-08T18:59:01-0500

Bree said:
No, since the release of Reflect X an annual subscription is the only option, the previous version Reflect v8.1 was the last to offer the alternative of a one-time purchase.

There was a Reflect Free v8.0, but that has been retired now. It still works though, and can still be downloaded from Macrium. Link at the bottom of post #1 here: Latest Macrium Reflect 8 updates

Note that Reflect X introduced a new .mrimgx image format that v8 and earlier versions cannot read, though X can read and restore their earlier .mrimg format.

So I would need to uninstall the trial version and redo creating the image?

Is is possible to create a system image of Win11Pro?

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