Windows 11 best backup and restore option including image creation


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anant1001

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windows 11
hello please tell me what are best backup and restore options in Windows 11, i never done one on any windows yet and plan to create a backup one on current machine and one image file too. Prefer not to do download any other software for this image creation.

1. If i can get a restore so in i dont like a software behavior i can have it restored to earlier state ?

2. A image i can keep so i need to restore my system if needed ?

Any other better suggestions are welcome and please tell how to restore too ty

I am just having just a Win USB pen drive,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    16GB ddr5,
    CPU
    AMD 7800x3d
    Motherboard
    MAG B650 TOMAHAWK
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1650 super GPU
    Sound Card
    Creative sound blaster play 3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 4k DVI input
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro
    PSU
    MSI 1000W
    Case
    Corsair 5000D
    Cooling
    Noctua U12A
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless USB
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless USB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Dr Web
If you don't want third-party software, in this video i will guide you on how to create and restore an image backup of Windows operating system.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
Even Microsoft recommend using a 3rd-party backup solution these days.
There are several debates on this forum over which is 'best' but it's subjective.
Personally I use Macrium Reflect and it's unlikely I'll ever change to anything else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (RP channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core
    Motherboard
    MEG X870E Godlike
    Memory
    64GB Corsair Titanium 6000/CL30
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Suprim X 3080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
    Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
    Samsung 870 Evo 4TB
    Samsung T7 Touch 1TB
    PSU
    Seasonic PX-2200
    Case
    Bequiet! Dark Base Pro 901
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15S
    Keyboard
    Logitech G915 X (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech G903 with PowerPlay charger
    Internet Speed
    900Mb/sec
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
After using Acronis True Image for many years, when the moved to a subscription model I switched to Macrium Reflect. It's every bit as good as True Image, if not better. Probably the best imaging utility available for Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10, W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2 HP Desktops, 1 Dell Desktop, 2 Dell XPS Laptops, 1 HP Laptop
Since Macrium REFLECT seems to be moving toward a SUBSCRIPTION model... it may be time to start looking elsewhere.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10, Windows 11, Ubuntu Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Z2 G5 Workstation
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700
    Motherboard
    HP Model# 8751
    Memory
    32gB (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek basic audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD (Viewsonic)
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    (3) NvME SSDs - PCiE v3, (1) SATA3 SSD
allan said:
After using Acronis True Image for many years, when the moved to a subscription model I switched to Macrium Reflect. It's every bit as good as True Image, if not better. Probably the best imaging utility available for Windows.
Click to expand...
Uh... Macrium no longer supports FREE editions. Even their support forum is unavailable if you don't have a key you had to pay for
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
I use Macrium Reflect 8.1.7847 That I paid for and I can use it for as long as I want. I just do not get support from MR.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 26100.3476
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 Pro
    Internet Speed
    1000Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 136.0.1
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD
  • Operating System
    Optimum 11 24H2 Build 26100.2454 & Linux Mint 22.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    IBuypower
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 1315u
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    PNY RTX 4017
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston 2TB SNV2S20006 PCIe 4.0 M.2.2280
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    850Watt
    Case
    Small
    Cooling
    Closed loop Liquid
    Mouse
    IBP
    Keyboard
    IBP
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Firefox 133.0
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Noisy but fast
Froggie said:
Since Macrium REFLECT seems to be moving toward a SUBSCRIPTION model... it may be time to start looking elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Nah - free version is still available and works fine. Also you can still buy a perpetual licence.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
CSharpDev said:
Uh... Macrium no longer supports FREE editions. Even their support forum is unavailable if you don't have a key you had to pay for
Click to expand...
You are comparing apples and bananas.

Acronis never supported free versions unless bundled with hard drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
1. the in house Microsoft Image and restore point should be good enough ? is there anything wrong with MS image creation? i only looking to backup OS + Software's installed not files as such in my documents as i already have backup for it.

2. Also does restore point take take the computer back to a place where a software was not installed or installed.

3. I am actually trying to see if MS office 2021 will work on my laptop properly for couple of days before i let go of 2007 edition i am having which works good i think. Any inputs on 2021 and 2007 MS office worth upgrade would be good too ty.

4. Also on PC i have Win 11 and wanting to have backup of OS + Software's for safe keeping.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    16GB ddr5,
    CPU
    AMD 7800x3d
    Motherboard
    MAG B650 TOMAHAWK
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1650 super GPU
    Sound Card
    Creative sound blaster play 3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 4k DVI input
    Screen Resolution
    4k
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro
    PSU
    MSI 1000W
    Case
    Corsair 5000D
    Cooling
    Noctua U12A
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless USB
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless USB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Dr Web
"good enough".???? I think MS itself has used the word "deprecated". Try it if you must. It is convoluted. Like many things, it "works" if you know its quirks.

System Restore restores certain portions of the registry. It often helps. It sometimes doesn't. It is not a "backup" unless you have your own definition of that word.

I have seen reports of Office 2007 and newer all installing and activating on Windows 11.

I don't think you'll have much luck with a "backup" of applications that does not also include Windows.

That pretty much limits you to imaging, although "cloning" meets some people's definition. Not mine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
Fishmill said:
"good enough".???? I think MS itself has used the word "deprecated". Try it if you must. It is convoluted. Like many things, it "works" if you know its quirks.
Click to expand...

I’ve been using it (Backup & Restore) since Windows 7, literally made well over a hundred images. The one time it ever failed on me, was due to a hard drive issue not Backup and Restore. I am aware there are naysayers here, and that’s personal opinion which I appreciate, but my personal opinion is that it’s great. It isn’t at all ”Convoluted” in my opinion, a couple of clicks and you’re done.
Yes, Microsoft has stated it is or is to be deprecated. It’s said that for years. I am still using it.

I also use Acronis sorry, AOMEI Backupper
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
If you don't want to use the built in Windows 7 imaging program then you probably will need to instal a program to do images. EaseUs is a free one that's quite simple to use.

I've recently started using idrive though. Not instead of a system image, but as a belt and braces. It's not free. It costs about £70 a year, but I really like it. The initial back up takes ages, but after that it just backs up anything new once a day - and that's easier than doing a system image regularly - especially if you forget. The main reason I like it is I've twice had external hard drives fail on me and either lost images or lost files (managed to retrieve them though). I just find it quicker and simpler now. It doesn't make system images though - just backs up all personal files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
CSharpDev said:
Uh... Macrium no longer supports FREE editions. Even their support forum is unavailable if you don't have a key you had to pay for
Click to expand...

1) I don't understand your point. Acronis was never a free product. The issue is they switched from a perpetual license to subscription pricing.

2) While Macrium Reflect isn't cheap, it isn't any more expensive than its major competitors. And it IS a one-time payment for a perpetual license.

3) If you have a free version of Macrium Reflect, it will continue to work - just no updates or support.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10, W11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2 HP Desktops, 1 Dell Desktop, 2 Dell XPS Laptops, 1 HP Laptop
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