Solved Macrium Reflect Ends free version

pparks1 · Nov 29, 2022

Winuser said:
Just make sure to deactivate the license on the old computer first.

For those new to the Macrium licensing, if you have installed license key on your computer, you need to uninstall the license to move it to another computer. You do that from the Help menu in the application.

In the event that you have a computer crash and you have to replace it with a new machine, you may have to make a call to Macrium to get the license freed up, but that is straight forward.

Winuser · Nov 29, 2022

pparks1 said:
For those new to the Macrium licensing, if you have installed license key on your computer, you need to uninstall the license to move it to another computer. You do that from the Help menu in the application.

In the event that you have a computer crash and you have to replace it with a new machine, you may have to make a call to Macrium to get the license freed up, but that is straight forward.

I have found that they are very helpful when you need to contact them. I think I contacted them by either email or a link on their web page. My problem was that Macrium kept going back to the free version every time I upgraded to a new Insider Dev build. Macrium did except the key even though I got a warning about the license being used on more than one device. I wanted to let them know about the problem and to make sure they didn't block my key in the future.

hsehestedt · Dec 2, 2022

FYI, the link to the Black Friday deal of 50% off for Macrium Reflect in post #19 of this thread still seems to be working today (Dec 2) even though it was supposed to expire yesterday. I took advantage of it yesterday to purchase another 4 pack of licenses bring me up to 8 total now

. Well worth every penny!

Superfly · Dec 3, 2022

Just MHO. I have no issues with paid only for MR - proper development takes time and skill.. at a huge cost and with Ad blocking on routers now makes it difficult to provide "free" apps - we should pay for a well developed app. Good on you guys that took advantage of the specials. :wink:

cereberus · Dec 3, 2022

Superfly said:
Just MHO. I have no issues with paid only for MR - proper development takes time and skill.. at a huge cost and with Ad blocking on routers now makes it difficult to provide "free" apps - we should pay for a well developed app. Good on you guys that took advantage of the specials.

Sure but most people graduate to the paid version when they have used the free version and are confident in the tool.

In part, regulars of Reflect here and other forums help influence the use of free version for "first timers".

How many "first timers" will just jump straight to a paid version?

The reality us they will ask if there are alternative free versions?

Of course, there are a number of reputable alternatives that will still be free.

I would expect Reflect to come with a free trial but peoblem is trials are not usually long enough, and it is not until the tool is "used in anger" that people really understand how good imaging tools are.

My take this is that stopping the free version is a suspicion that this is a prelude to Reflect moving to an Acronis style financial model i.e. a lease model rather than perpetual licence model.

This is pretty much the way software is going.

Would a lease model be such a bad thing. Reflect major versions are brought out rougly every three years, and most of upgrade to new version.

So long as the lease cost is set at a reasonable price, then it is a moot point which model is better. The perpetual licence only has any real meaning if you choose not to upgrade.

In the end, it is not really any different to the perennial Office 365 paid or lease argument.

Personally I lease it due to its multiple pc/user capability, plus the onedrive free cloudspace.

In many ways, a user might be prepared to pay for a 1 year lease if it was pitched at a suitable cost level.

Of course, a lot will whinge about the free version being removed, but these are probably the same people who whinge about leasing, often complaining their Office 2003 (20 year old) version no longer works.

Leasing of Office 365 is successful as MS pitched the cost at a reasonable level. The same could be true of Reflect if they move to a lease model.

Superfly · Dec 4, 2022

cereberus said:
Sure but most people graduate to the paid version when they have used the free version and are confident in the tool.

In part, regulars of Reflect here and other forums help influence the use of free version for "first timers".

How many "first timers" will just jump straight to a paid version?

The reality us they will ask if there are alternative free versions?

Of course, there are a number of reputable alternatives that will still be free.

I would expect Reflect to come with a free trial but peoblem is trials are not usually long enough, and it is not until the tool is "used in anger" that people really understand how good imaging tools are.

My take this is that stopping the free version is a suspicion that this is a prelude to Reflect moving to an Acronis style financial model i.e. a lease model rather than perpetual licence model.

This is pretty much the way software is going.

Would a lease model be such a bad thing. Reflect major versions are brought out rougly every three years, and most of upgrade to new version.

So long as the lease cost is set at a reasonable price, then it is a moot point which model is better. The perpetual licence only has any real meaning if you choose not to upgrade.

In the end, it is not really any different to the perennial Office 365 paid or lease argument.

Personally I lease it due to its multiple pc/user capability, plus the onedrive free cloudspace.

In many ways, a user might be prepared to pay for a 1 year lease if it was pitched at a suitable cost level.

Of course, a lot will whinge about the free version being removed, but these are probably the same people who whinge about leasing, often complaining their Office 2003 (20 year old) version no longer works.

Leasing of Office 365 is successful as MS pitched the cost at a reasonable level. The same could be true of Reflect if they move to a lease model.

Trial is not an option (the pitfalls you pointed out) as with anything you purchase, you do due diligence and check reviews/forums etc before purchasing. Lease is also not for everyone ( I personally do not like being tied into a contract)

cereberus · Dec 4, 2022

Superfly said:
Trial is not an option (the pitfalls you pointed out) as with anything you purchase, you do due diligence and check reviews/forums etc before purchasing. Lease is also not for everyone ( I personally do not like being tied into a contract)

Any lease would most likely be different to say a broadband lease that get paid monthly for a minimum period 12-24 months typically and continue after end of lease period and roll over month by month intil you can cancel.

I would expect a Reflect lease (if ever introduced) to be an annual lease without rollover - you would have to renew lease year. So it is a moot point to say tied to a contract.

Dark Knight · Dec 4, 2022

All these questions .... I believe this was just announced yesterday
Relax, I do not believe the free version is to be removed until 2024 , they cited with the release of Macrium version 9. Anyone with a free version can expect it to work for some time after that.

jimbo45 · Dec 4, 2022

Hi folks
Time to learn new tricks such as the DD command, rsync (plus its GUI grsync for data backups) and the bootable version of gparted which is also brilliant at copying partitions etc =- of any format. All free. can run a small Linux distro from a usb stick - so you don't need to switch from your Windows system.

Nothing wrong in learning how to use new tools if they are good and the olds ones not available any more.

I really hate this idea of software subscriptions etc etc -- but macrium V8 is still good for a while yet -- a lot can happen in 12 months.

Cheers
jimbo

probe7 · Dec 4, 2022

ish4d0w said:
It's great to hear you all have the paid version, but don't forget that so many users (including many casual, home users) are using the free version. They are the majority, not you. Don't forget that.

Aye!

Stigg · Dec 8, 2022

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cereberus · Dec 9, 2022

jimbo45 said:
Hi folks
Time to learn new tricks such as the DD command, rsync (plus its GUI grsync for data backups) and the bootable version of gparted which is also brilliant at copying partitions etc =- of any format. All free. can run a small Linux distro from a usb stick - so you don't need to switch from your Windows system.

Nothing wrong in learning how to use new tools if they are good and the olds ones not available any more.

I really hate this idea of software subscriptions etc etc -- but macrium V8 is still good for a while yet -- a lot can happen in 12 months.

Cheers
jimbo

"Nothing wrong in learning how to use new tools if they are good and the olds ones not available any more." - True if there are no suitable Windows alternatives. Otherwise.....

Bree · Dec 19, 2022

True to their word, Macrium have now removed the Free edition from their download page.

Macrium Reflect | Free 30-Day Trial

Macrium Reflect - Incredibly powerful software that allows you to create and schedule effective backups

www.macrium.com

The only free download now available is the Free Trial. The good news is that I've just tested what happens at the end of the 30 day trial (I installed it in a VM and wound the clock forwards). It still has the option to revert to Free and continue using it as Reflect Free.

Stigg · Dec 19, 2022

Bree said:
True to their word, Macrium have now removed the Free edition from their download page.

Macrium Reflect | Free 30-Day Trial

Macrium Reflect - Incredibly powerful software that allows you to create and schedule effective backups

www.macrium.com

The only free download now available is the Free Trial. The good news is that I've just tested what happens at the end of the 30 day trial (I installed it in a VM and wound the clock forwards). It still has the option to revert to Free and continue using it as Reflect Free.

This page is very deceptive then.

Stigg · Dec 19, 2022

I just tried the link on two other browsers, and I see the same thing.

Macrium Reflect | Free 30-Day Trial

Macrium Reflect - Incredibly powerful software that allows you to create and schedule effective backups

www.macrium.com

I cleared all my Macrium cookies, and I still see the same page that I posted above.

Bree · Dec 19, 2022

That's not the page I see, it has a different layout for me.... oh, and I was mistaken. Reflect Home Free is still there after all - hidden way down at the bottom.

Wynona · Dec 19, 2022

trevo said:
Macrium Reflect for Home Use

High performance backups combined with easy to configure backup plans, complete with ransomware protection and email support.

www.macrium.com

50% off until December 1st...the obsession with "free" software is frankly ridiculous in my opinion, they are a commercial business and need to generate a profit. I don't expect free hardware or beer, don't be cheap.

Whether we like it or not, the fact is that computers are here to stay. I have five paid copies of Macrium Reflect. Like a number of others here, I bought because of the generosity of Macrium. Yes, I can still afford to pay to play.

Let's examine the other side of the coin and see just how ridiculous the obsession with free software is . . . or how cheap those who cannot afford it are . . .

Because I teach Windows 10/11 at the local Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Center run by the State of Arkansas, I have a pretty good handle on what our membership can and cannot afford. My students talk to me.

Some of our members can barely afford the $3.00 charged for the balanced lunch provided, much less necessary software if they can get it cheaper. And my senior citizen friends aren't the only ones sitting on the poverty line . . . Lemme see . . . Family with three or more kids who need a computer for classroom work. Single parent who has only one income. Widow(er) who isn't old enough to collect spouse's Social Security. Widow(er) not old enough for Medicare. And the list goes on . . .

So, before I jump in to judge, I always try "walking a mile in their shoes" before popping off . . .

cereberus · Dec 20, 2022

Wynona said:
Whether we like it or not, the fact is that computers are here to stay. I have five paid copies of Macrium Reflect. Like a number of others here, I bought because of the generosity of Macrium. Yes, I can still afford to pay to play.

Let's examine the other side of the coin and see just how ridiculous the obsession with free software is . . . or how cheap those who cannot afford it are . . .

Because I teach Windows 10/11 at the local Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Center run by the State of Arkansas, I have a pretty good handle on what our membership can and cannot afford. My students talk to me.

Some of our members can barely afford the $3.00 charged for the balanced lunch provided, much less necessary software if they can get it cheaper. And my senior citizen friends aren't the only ones sitting on the poverty line . . . Lemme see . . . Family with three or more kids who need a computer for classroom work. Single parent who has only one income. Widow(er) who isn't old enough to collect spouse's Social Security. Widow(er) not old enough for Medicare. And the list goes on . . .

So, before I jump in to judge, I always try "walking a mile in their shoes" before popping off . . .

Correct but tbh most of those whinging here are in the "too tight" category.

Two points being forgotten by many is if you have a copy, it has a perpetual licence - it just will not be updated at some point in future. This is not a security risk. Many are happily still using V7.

The second point is there are a number of free alternatives.

But I totally agree re. there are sections of community who cannot easily pay. Angels like you do a great job of assisting such persons - 5 Gold Stars!

Wynona · Dec 21, 2022

cereberus said:
Correct but tbh most of those whinging here are in the "too tight" category.

Two points being forgotten by many is if you have a copy, it has a perpetual licence - it just will not be updated at some point in future. This is not a security risk. Many are happily still using V7.

The second point is there are a number of free alternatives.

But I totally agree re. there are sections of community who cannot easily pay. Angels like you do a great job of assisting such persons - 5 Gold Stars!

I have told my students that they will be able to keep Macrium Reflect 8 Free in perpetuity and that it will continue to work for them. I won't be surprised, though, if those who can afford it actually buy a copy, since pretty much every one has a laptop only (they bring them to class).

[Angels like you do a great job of assisting such persons - 5 Gold Stars!]

Awwww, thank you, @cereberus! I appreciate ya!

clam1952 · Dec 21, 2022

If they wait until next years Black Friday offers before buying, it will probably be on a good discount again for those who can afford it, there is no rush there is still over a year to go before the free version is no longer available.

Solved Macrium Reflect Ends free version

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