The BestS - Best Disk Imaging Software ( Updated )
Update : From our BestS Heads Up
1. We have not paid attention and this aspect can be misinterpreted with ease.
Like a few friends have already done , ALL READERS ( wanting to help ) SHOULD KINDLY SHARE THEIR CHOICES in the 4Free BestS surveys … And NOT only the “green card owners”.
Why ! Because most of our active readers will go green , sooner or later ( + 200 turning green in November and December 2009 ! ).
Once you turn green … Your comments on every BestS survey will also become green … And your choices will be taken into consideration.
…
2. And ANYWAY, like everything on 4 Free, these surveys are GENUINE and interactive
One can reconsider his choices at any given moment. It’s easy to cancel the old choices and take into consideration the new ones.This way the 4 Free BestS surveys will always be as up-to-date as possible.
.
Hi friends !
We hope the rythm is not becoming too intensive. Please take your time and participate in these very important “BestS” surveys.
Don’t forget to check The BestS - Best Photo Editing Software, The BestS - Best Adware/Spyware/Scumware Remover , The BestS - Best Data Backup Software (PC) and The BestS - Best Antivirus Software
…
.
4Free “BestS” Disk Imaging Software (PC) ( 49 votes )
.
Freeware
1. Macrium Reflect Free - 93 points ( 22 votes - average 4,22 points )
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition - 61 points ( 15 votes - average 4,06 points )
3. DriveImage XML - 38 points ( 13 votes - average 2,92 points )
4. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard ) - 34 points ( 8 votes - average 4,25 points)
5. Clonezilla - 23 points ( 7 votes - average 3,28 points )
6. EASEUS Partition Master free - 7 points ( 3 votes - average 2,33 points )
7. Partition Wizard - 6 points ( 2 votes - average 3 points)
8. EASEUS Todo Backup - 5 points ( 3 votes - average 1,66 points )
9. HDClone Free Edition - 4 points ( 2 votes - average 2 points )
GParted - 4 points ( 2 votes - average 2 points )
10. PartImage - 3 points ( 1 vote - average 3 points )
11. ODIN - 2 points ( 2 votes - average 1 point )
…
Shareware
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro - 136 points ( 35 votes - average 3,88 points )
2. Acronis True Image - 124 points ( 29 votes - average 4,27 points )
3. O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro - 26 points ( 10 votes - average 2,6 points )
4. Norton GHOST - 18 points ( 8 votes - average 2,25 points )
5. EASEUS Partition Master Pro - 11 points ( 5 votes - average 2,2 points )
6. Macrium Reflect Pro - 8 points ( 2 votes - average 4 points )
7. Terabyte’s Image for Windows - 6 points ( 2 votes - average 3 points )
8. Shadow Protect - 5 points ( 1 vote - average 5 points )
9. BootIt NG - 3 points ( 1 vote - average 3 points )
…
REMINDER
The “BestS Concept” ( best softwares ) is here to make us talk about the best different solutions … To give some more consistency to the Community way of reviewing different softwares.
Little by little we’ll draw 4 Free conclusions about BestS. Please comment and rate ! ( read below who and how can rate softwares ). This is the target of this section !
… But right now we must be humble and we think our growing community needs some references when we analyze the softwares from the 4Free promotions.
When we’re talking about a certain software domain, we all have in mind different infos, from different sources, about “the best”. But maybe it’s better to establish some “standards” - a starting point - and to have them “before our eyes” ( on 4 Free ) when analyzing different similar application.
At this stage we’ll start be using the qualitative work made by GizmoTechSupportAllert.com ( for freewares ) and TopTenReviews.com ( for sharewares ) … But this doesn’t mean we’ll take their conclusion for granted. We’ll analyse - step by step - all those softwares ( we’ll surely have them in 4free promotions ) and finally establish the Top 4Free BestS.
Important note : the owners of 4Free greencards (ONLY) are asked to kindly share :
1. Their “normal” feedback about this subject ( any 4Free reader is kindly invited to do it )
2. Their own Top 3 for every software domain … in case they have been in the situation to try three solutions. FYI each software you name will receive 5 points ( no1) , 3 points ( no 2 ) and 1point ( no 3 ). If you only name one or two solutions they’ll be consider as “your no 1 ( or 2 )”.
… But please take your time! Do it when you have the time, and you have something to say.:)
( Why only the green 4Free’ers ? Because these are Community surveys, drowing official conclusions of our community … And we want feedbacks from proven friends. We shouldn’t worry about the “limited” 100 actual owners of 4 Free Green Cards ; because next month there will be other one hundred … Plus almost one hundred in December. ):)
.
But any 4Free reader is free to comment and share their opinion, of course ! Please do it ! Again: This is the target of this section !
.
Gizmo’s Best Free Disk & File Tools
( click on screen-shot to enlarge )
.
Top ten REVIEWS 2009 Disk Imaging Software Review Product Comparisons
( click on screen-shot to enlarge )
.
Related posts:
- The BestS - Best Data Backup Software (PC) ( Updated )
- 4Free BestS - Best Disk De-fragmenting Software
- The BestS - Best Antivirus Software
- The BestS - Best System Utilities Software (All-In-One)
- The BestS - Best Photo Editing Software
- The BestS - Best Malware/Adware/Spyware/Scumware Remover ( and Prevention )
- 4Free BestS - Best Digital Images Organizing Software
- The BestS - Best Internet Security Suites
- Coming Before Xmas ( right after HF 47) : 500 Life-Time Licenses for A Top Notch System Utilities Software ! The Pro Version Of Course !!
- 4Free Special Coming! 100 LIFE TIME Licenses For The Full Version Of A Top Notch Photo Software
269 Responses to “The BestS - Best Disk Imaging Software ( Updated )”
Leave a Reply
Search the News
-
4Free Projects
-
Ad
-
Ads
Hi Team, time ago I used free DriveImage XML.3 points
Then I switched to a free (even if limited) edition of Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( see Gizmo ) (edition that runs only with Maxtor hard Drives).5 points
These are my two choices.
Thank you all!
Hi guys. here’s my contribution:
5 points
3 points
Freewares
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points
2. Macrium Reflect Free 3 points
3. DriveImage XML 1 points
Sharewares:
1. Paragon Drive backup 9 Pro - thanks 4Free!
2.O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro - thanks 4Free !
Hope that helps.
Keep up with the great work!
Have used both HD Clone Free or Full Version ? and DriveImage XML 5 points in the past … currently using Acronis True Image Home v 11.0 5 points
Ghost, then Acronis, then Paragon. Acronis is still my favorite, it is quick and reliable. Paragon is a close second, but I am comfortable with Acronis. Ghost was a long time ago and it seemed slow compared to the others.
1. Acronis
2. Paragon
5 points
Thank you for participating!
Sorry guys … I should have specified HD Clone Free Edition 3 points in my earlier post.
Thank you Mike !
Macrium Reflect Free 5 points
Hi Simon ! Is that all you have experienced in this field ?
Hi,
Acronis is the best them come the rest
3 points
Thank you for sharing your point of view!
Hi 4Free’ers!
)
Freewares
1. Macrium Reflect 5 points
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 3 points
Sharewares ( both grabbed 4Free !
1. O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro 5 points
2. Paragon Drive backup 9 Pro 3 points
Best regards !
I use Acronis, but not to image my whole drive, I just use it to backup certain data.
I forgot to add: I have tried Ghost retail version, but I really did not like the program as a whole.
I have a key to the O+O disk image, but I have not used it,
I also have tried Paragon’s, but I just really like the Acronis interface (and speed!).
So my votes would go: Acronis 5 points, then O+O 3 points, then Paragon 1 points.
The only freeware I have really used is Macrium Reflect free edition 5 points and it is very good and the features are useful but also simple to use.
For sharewares, I use the backup feature of the Paragon Hard Disk Manger 5 points - We’ll consider Paragon Drive Backup - As a part od HDM . given out here.
If I had to pick which one I used most, despite only using either on few occasions, I would probably say Macrium. It is just simple and does what it says it will do without any hassles.
Here are the ones I use:
Sharewares
1. Paragon Pro 9.5 (thx 4 Free) 5 points
2. Boot-It NG 3 points
Freewares
1. Partition Wizard 5 points
I haven’t yet tried the new free version from Paragon, so cannot say. Here is my review of the remaining:
A. While Paragon is such a trusted name, I am still always scared when making changes since at least once, resizing a windows partition resulted in complete data loss. I did have backups so came out clean. Have never faced this problem other than this instance.
B. Tried Partition Wizard. Worked just fine. They provide a bootable version that is almost as capable as the Windows version. It has almost the same user interface.
C. Boot-It NG: This is an uncommon one. Works just fine again. The issue with this is that this is just TOO powerful and TOO non-friendly. To delete a partition, you just select it and press delete and it’s already gone! Everything is real-time with this software with complex GUI and no confirmations whatsoever.
As I mentioned, I have not explored compressed images, or differential backups.
None of the three tools are able to leave the backup partition bootable by itself. I think this is Vista issue. I have to fix the boot records in the backup hard-drive before I can boot from it.
I am open to try Acronis and Ghost (provided they do uncompressed images). Will never use BootIT NG given that Paragon and Partition Wizard just work fine.
Hi team and friends !
Another great concept! I’m sure the results will help us all to get promotions for the BestS.
Here are the softwares I have tried during the last two years:
Freewares:
1. Macrium Reflect ( the latest version is really cool ! ) 5 points
2. Driveimage XML 3 points
3. HD Clone Free Edition 1 points
As for Sharewares, i have only had the pleasure to grab those offered by 4Free :
1. Acronis True image 10 5 points
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3 points
3. O&O Disk image 3,5 1 points
Hope that helps,
Brian
I’ve tried O&O, Paragon Easeus, Acronis - sticking with Macrium
Ok ! If you cannot rank the others, there’s no problem.
Regards !
I prefer Acronis True Image Home 2010.
The imaging process is flawless. You can perform full, incremental, differential and nonstop backups to disk, external media, network or online locations. You can clone disks, restore to dissimilar hardware or virtual machines.
As a bonus Acronis supplies cleanup utilities and a “sandbox” — the Try & Decide mode — which is a fool-proof way to try software without risking viruses/malware infecting your computer.
3 point
Thank you for sharing interesting details.
Regards !
My choices as to disk imaging softwares:
Freewares:
1-) Clonezilla 5 points
2-) Macrium Reflect 3 points
3-) ODIN (http://odin-win.sourceforge.net/) 1 point
Sharewares:
1-) 1. Paragon Drive Backup Pro 5 points
2-) Acronis True Image 3 points
3-) O&O DiskImage 1 point
Hi ,
i had experience with three or four disk imaging systems:
Norton ghost (old version) :
pros : powerful, able to recompile the disk images (change of compression rate in particular with ghost explorer)
2 points
Thank you for participating !
My first choice is Acronis True Image 5 points. I have been using Acronis True Image from Version 8.0, and now I’m using Acronis True Image 10 got from here 4free. I find it reliable. Second choice will be Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3 points, and third is Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points. I tried Macrium Reflect Free 3 points and Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard ) 1 points, but find it lack of useful features.
I don’t have any experience with the others.
Hi guys.I’m not really a fan of backup software,but I once used Titan backup and Drive Image xml.If I have to choose,I would select Titan,mainly for it’s ease of use.Cheers!
Hi Z!
We’ll treat separately the file-backup solutions.
Regards !
Norton Ghost : cons : difficult to boot from optical drives and to burn disk images directly to optical drives , symantec made a big mess with newer versions , in some cases mixing the imaging engine with the older powerquest disk image …
O&O Disk Image : powerful, easy to use, their images could be used directly in virtual machines
Macrium Reflect : powerful, easy to use, their imges can be easily mounted as virtual partitions in the system
Acronis Disk Image : powerful, easy to use, easy and robust cd booting, burns images directly on cd/dvd (I used maybe v8.0 found in a computer magazine)
My favourites : Acronis and Macrium .
3 points
Thanks for all these details
Regards !
Hi 4free’ers!
I have used :
Freewares
1. Clonezilla 5 points
2. GParted 3 points
3. UDIN 1 points
Sharewares ( thanks 4 free ! )
1. O&O Disk Image 3,5 5 points
2. Paragon Drive Backup Pro 3 points
Great BestS concept ! I wish all our friends will contribute.
Take care !
I really don’t need fancy GUI and Windows based hdd imaging software.
I always do a full HDD/partition backup and restore it from DOS/linux level.
In my work I’m using old Ghost (v. 10 or something) - I have ver. 2003 too but it sucks.
There was short time with my friends Acronis TrueImage 10 Home for mobos with ICH7 chipset, but finally I found my favorite and REALLY free software - CLONEZILLLA.
Actually I’m surprised, that nobody mentioned about this one.
So…
Freeware:
1. Clonezilla
Shareware:
2. Acronis 10
2. Ghost 10
Thanks to 4free I found that Macrium Reflect Free thing, and i will definitely give it a try on my Win7 64 bit rig.
5 points
Thank you for participating Portia!
Regards !
As for disk imaging, this is what i have tried:
freewares
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points
2. Clonezilla 3 points
3. GParted 1 point
Sharewares ( all from 4Free )
1. Acronis True Image ( V10 ) 5 points
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9,5 Pro 3 points
3; O&O DiskImage 3,5 1 point
That’s it ! Thanks everybofy !
I tried Ghost a number of years ago, and it didn’t do what I wanted.
I installed True Image 5 points and it’s saved my neck many times. It’s a great program and I highly recommend it.
I get rid of the Windows bloart by re-imaging my HDD every couple of months, or more frequently if it looks like my computer is effected by my frequent downloading. In this case, I do a quick wipe of my HDD before reimaging.
I’ve always preferred something with a backup disk with it. I”ve used Norton Ghost, but I prefer Paragon for their smaller size.
2 points
Thank you!
Hi guys,
I am going to have to disagree with the #1 spot. Macrium is not the best. Paragon is.
Why? Because Paragon is the only freebie that allows you to put a hidden partition on your hard drive.
Within this partition is where the backup image goes. This is someting that only retail products do.
Of course, I have backups on an external hard drive, but it is much more convenient to have the image on the hard drive (and faster to). Note that the free version of Paragon backup and recovery cannot do this, BUT most other versions of Paragon can. And also, Paragon usually gives away their software for free. Cant beat that. For me, Paragon is #1, Acronis is #2 and Macrium is #3
5 points
Thank you for the interesting point of view!
I should state that my imaging requirements are fairly simple, namely an initial full backup image to an external disk, after which I use FirstDefense-ISR as my main means of keeping my machine in working order.
Going way back, I used to use Ghost, but moved to TrueImage because of the cost of upgrading. TrueImage served me well for several years, but then started to have occasional failures. Despite having verified the image, TrueImage was unable to restore on 2 occasions, which let’s face it is pretty critical in an imaging programme. Were it not for that I would still be using it. Instead I passed it on to my brother for whom it has performed faultlessly, so I assume the problem rested with my machine.
I have tried a number of alternatives since then. My current Shareware favourite is Paragon Drive Backup 5 points, after which I would put Acronis TrueImage 3 points and then O&O DiskImage.1 point
As for Freeware Macrium Reflect 5 points seems every bit as good as any of the Shareware offerings, and I would probably choose between this and Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition.3 points
For me the best imaging appz are Macrium Reflect 5 points and PartImage 3 points
http://www.partimage.org/Main_Page
I went from BootItNG to PowerQuest to Acronis with v.7. Been a confirmed used Of True Image ever since. Installed on all my machines, including the new netbook versio on a ASUS Seashell netbook!
Always prepared to change my mind…but if it ain’t broke…!
3 points
Thank you for participating!
The best freewares: Acronis True Image 10 Personal, Clonezilla; GParted, Macrium Reflect FE; Paragon Backup & Recovery FE and “Special” editions of Paragon Hard Disk Manager / Paragon Drive Backup / Paragon System Backup. The best shareware: 1. ShadowProtect Desktop Edition, 2.–3. Older versions of Acronis True Image (TI 8.0 Home, TI 9.0 Home, TI 10.0 Home, TI 9.1 Workstation), O&O DiskImage (3.5, 4.1) Professional.
5 points
Thanks for your contribution!
I use Paragon Partition Manager Pro also to copy partitions, but not for backups (I save periodically in “manual mode” ;-)); I like it, because it supports MS and Linux filesystems; I think (is my experience) Paragon products are very efficient and reliable, so the number one for me is Paragon Backup & Recovery.
Under Linux, I used also Gparted, and it is my second option.
But a question: I didn’t know Macrium, and it is under “free products”; on the site there is only a free 30-days trial version, so what means “free”? Is there a real free version?
Regards to all you!
2 points
That was the wrong link. Thank you Brullo !
I have changed it now. See here
http://for-free-on-internet.com/2009/01/macrium-reflect-free-edition/
Regards !
Here are my choices.
For shareware it will definitely be Paragon Drive backup 9 Pro 5 points , and for freeware-Clonezilla. 5 points
I did try some other tools too but these two finally became my favs.
Thank you very much for the correct link to Macrium free, I’ll try it as soon as possible.
Hi!
1 point
Thank YOU!
Hi!
Here are my freeware choices:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points
2. DriveImage XML 3 points
3. Macrium Reflect Free 1 points
Shareware:
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 5 points
2. Acronis True Image 3 points
Hello friends!
I’m not “green” yet, and I don’t know much about this kind of software (disk imaging). But, when we have audio-video softwares to rate, I’ll be ready to share my humble opinion.
Regards,
Evandro.
1 point
Hi again Evandro !
Please prepare yourself to participate in all BestS surveys when you’ll go green.
Regards !
Hi 4 Free!
Would a software that gets is put on number 3 by four people (getting 12 points total) be placed higher than a software that is put on number 1 by two people (getting 10 points total)?
If so, I think it would be wiser to average the ratings and separately specify the total number of people who rated. This would clearly show:
1. Software apps that got good average number of points average but got rated by only few people (means other people should also check it out).
2. Software apps that got good number of points by large number of people (implies well tried software, so rating is more reliable).
3. Software apps that got lower rating on an average by a lot of people. This is a software to be avoided.
If I follow correctly, you currently show the total number of points. That highlights #2 above but #1 and #3 show up at wrong place on the list.
The sum of points is still useful, primarily to find software apps in category #2.
Thanks.
Hi Alok!
I don’t want to deny your logic, but in any case your point 3 is not necesarry true.
Nobody would put on his list ( even as no3 ) a software to be avoided. ( at least he shouldn’t )
But this is not very important.
Like any survey the results will become more accurate when there will be a few hundreds votes. There’s no need for complications.
But you’re right when saying it’s good to show the number of votes for each software on the list. I’ll do it.
Thank you!
Hey,
sadly I can’t see ghost even on the list..no one uses it? Really? 
You know my opinion I supppose so I’ll just write for sake of it being documented:
1. Ghost 5 points
2. Acronis 3 points
3. Paragon 1 point
That would be it
I tried Paragon with no success. I restored my backup image successfully couple of times using Macrium reflect on my Vista 64 bit system. My favorite is MACRIUM REFLECT without any doubts..
3 points
Thank you for participating!
I don’t use this type of software much, i just use the backup feature in windos vista/7, but i would use an EASEUS such as 1) todo or 2) Partition Master(both free
5 points and paid
5 points).
Hi 4 Free!
>> Software apps that got lower rating on an average by a lot of people. This is a software to be avoided.
>> Nobody would put on his list ( even as no3 ) a software to be avoided. ( at least he shouldn’t )
I see. So in other words, item number 3 maps to sat third preference, but it is still a preference. It would be unlike a rating of 1 out of 5 stars on say amazon.com, so more like a rating of 3 out of 5.
Hi again Alok ( and thank you for the important analysis ) !
Do you find something wrong with it ?
>> Do you find something wrong with it ?
Not at all. I’m just trying to understand so I could do better job when I write reviews at 4 Free.
Thanks
I’m an avid downloader, and True Image has saved my neck many times. I found it to be vary easy to use and versatile. I give it a 5. I tried Ghost a couple of years ago, and it couldn’t do what I wanted. I give it a 1 only because it’s probably usable for some people,
3 points
Thank you for participating!!
For all the reasons I discussed in the recent Acronis TIH 2010 discussion, my favorite is ATIH v11. As far as I can tell, its bullet-proof. For those of you who complain about the long restore times when you’re just trying to restore a single file, turn off the “verify archive first” option–that’s what takes all of the time. A single file restore without archive verification takes only seconds (you really need it only for restoring a full image; you can test an individual file as soon as you restore it).
3 points
Thank you for participating!
Can’t do much comparing or voting on this one, I’ve only tried Paragon 5 points(thanks 4 Free).
I use Ghost at work and it is very functional, although I have to admit I am not a huge fan of Symantec. Acronis TrueImage has impressed me in the past and I would choose that over Ghost for my personal use. Another application I have tried is part of the Active@Undelete suite of tools - I am yet to use it anger, but initial experiments went well. I need more time to play with all these cool apps :0)
Have fun.
3 points
Thank you for participating !
Haven’t used any freeware disk imaging software before so can’t comment on any of them.
Have used Ghost before (which was more than 5 years ago) but maybe I wasn’t smart enough to get it to work the way I wanted so I switched to Acronis (am using Acronis True Image 10 Personal Edition now). Since then, Acronis has never let me down, so it definitely gets my vote here!
3 points
Thank you for participating!
Freewares:
1. EASUS Partition Manager - ABSOLUTE must-have; simple, elegant, powerful, works IN Windows.
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free - very complete solution suitable for most users.
3. Acronis TrueImage 8 (Seagate DW) - basic & simple, but must have Seagate or Maxtor internal or external drive
4. Macrium Reflect Free - does the job as long as you don’t need to restore to a smaller parition
Sharewares:
1. Acronis TrueImage - very solid product, BartPE plugins available, newest version comes with tool to “convert to/from VHD” (for use with VirtualPC or VirtualBox) I mainly prefer Acronis because I’ve found it reliable and it provides ability to incorporate extensive commentary into the image archive file.
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro - solid product. (Note that a Virtualization Manager is available as a separate product.)
3. StorageCraft ShadowProtect 3 - excellent product that’s very, very fast and has a built in Hardware Independent Restore tool built into the recovery CD. BUT it’s quite expensive and the activation process can be an ordeal. Really designed for large scale networks, not home use.
5 points
Thank you for participating !
Ghost since DOS / W31 and it still very good for those 16bit file system, WinXP sometimes unable to see those disks,
Then I switch to Macrium because it doesn’t require reboot for the imaging process. fast
Also the Linux Gparted is a must have, you boot it from CD as live system and it handle NTFS well, you can find it anytime free in most Linux distribution
Have the other 4 program/utility but mainly stick to those 3 types.
5 points
Thank you W !
Been using ghost since time immemorial. But, once i’ve got a chance to try acronis truimage 5 points, and really i was impressed! Ghost 3 points is kinda bloated lately, so, i’ll stick with acronis for now. Simple, GUI, effective and easy to use.
I have tried a few but never needed to use them properly until a couple of months ago when my programs got corrupted and I couldn’t get them sorted out. I had a backup made with Macrium Free and actually found the disk that I’d made at the time (Don’t forget!!!) and was able to restore the system back to what it was a few months previously. It was simple and easy to do and I would highly recommend this one even for a relative novice. It takes about 20 - 30 minutes to back up my main drive with my operating system and all programs on and now gets done very regularly so I don’t lose any of the finds made on this site!
NB I keep all data files on separate disks /partitions
I would also second other contributors who have mentioned EASUS Partition Manager which I used to create and resize partitions without any problems so far. Again a doddle to use!
Running XP SP2 2GB RAM
5 points
Thank you for participating !
Hi everyone,
Unfortunately, I don’t have anything more to add than what I’ve already posted on the “The BestS - Best Data Backup Software (PC)” survey: Acronis True Image Home & Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro.
I got Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free, but haven’t tried it out yet.
I’ve read very good reviews on Macrium Reflect Free, GParted & Clonezilla and according to an article/ review on Gizmo’s, the GParted - CloneZilla LiveCD seems to be the best deal for Win users.
Sorry, no added-value by me here.
2 points
Thank you!
My top choice is Acronis True Image. 5 points.. but only because I was a beta tester and get to use it for free. [By the way, beta testing is an excellent way to obtain all kinds of programs for free. In return for running tests on the program and writing up reports of your experience, you will often receive the program for free. To get started, Google the program you're interested in, and include "beta" and "test" in the search.]
My second choice would be Macrium. 5 points I’m not interested in specialty images: incremental or differential. Just save my partition, please. For that, Macrium does the job nicely.
I’ve never had success with DriveImage XML and several others which purport to back up files which are in use. They always gives an error message about Windows’ Volume Shadow Service. I’ve carefully followed the instructions and verified that VSS is indeed working. I don’t know what kind of magic Acronis TrueImage uses to work on open files, but all I can say is, it works.
News Flash! I just finished testing Macrium Reflect, and can confirm that it also successfully copies files which are in use. When Reflect began, I had my email program running, and was editing a text file which I saved every few seconds. All the email files copied perfectly, and the version of the text file which was copied was the one which was saved about 5 seconds after Reflect began to run.
Macrium uses VSS (according to its Help file), so this is particularly good news.
I use Ghost 3 points at work, and have had good luck with it. In the past I’ve used Acronis True Image 1 point for home use, but currently am using Paragon Drive Backup 5 points, which is also excellent.
I have also used Drive Image XML 5 points to clone a SCSI drive on a server at work; and it did a perfect job.
I got a copy of Acronis TIH 11.0 for very cheap (like US$10) on a special over a year ago, and I use it and like it a lot. But when I was setting up my sister to do easy backups on two laptops, I used Macrium Reflect Free, which seems just about as good — and free. If I were starting over here at home, I’d probably go with Macrium.
The only other one I’ve ever tried was Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro which I got free somehow (Giveawayoftheday maybe?). I didn’t like it and stopped using it. I forget the details, but I think I disliked the Restore options after booting from the CD. Or maybe I couldn’t get it to “mount” the backup so I could sort through the files and folders in my backup? I forget, but I went back to ATIH.
3 points
Thank you!
Freewares: 1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 2. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O 3. DriveImage XML
Sharewares: 1. GHOST 2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3. Acronis True Image
5 points
Thank you!
G’Day Guys, I have used DriveImage XML 5 points in the past, quite successfully, but it rather slow to backup, especially over a network. Acronis TrueImage 3 points has a nice clean interface and is very reliable (Acronis True Image WorkStation with Universal Restore is the current Acronis product that i have, but Universal Restore has never worked for me!). I currently use Paragon Drive Backup Pro 5 points, as Paragon products have really come along in leaps and bounds recently, they have always been as good as Acronis,IMO, but the user interface always seemed so Windows 98, now that they have addressed this issue and made their products more user friendly, i think that they are onto a good thing, the addition of adaptive restore is the icing on the cake.
I have used (and still using) only one:- Acronis TrueImage. Frankly speaking I never really feel the necessity/interest to test drive other software in this category. It does what it says, and does it without any fuss. A great product.
3 points
Thank you for participating.
I do not use this. I am thinking of trying so I will be watching to see the best.
1 points
OK !
I have used to following:
Freeware:
Macrium Reflect Free
Runtimes DriveImage XML
Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition (My #1 choice)
Clonezilla
Commercial Software:
Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro (My #1 choice)
O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro
Norton GHOST
5 points
Thank you!
I have recently finished a series of drive replacements, upgrades, and system migrations. I replaced a Fujitsu 80GB drive with a WesternDigital 320GB for Thinkpad T43p; rebuilt the OS on a Dell Latitude 620 with a WD 320GB; and cloned a 50GB drive on a Dell desktop with WD500GB USB external (IBM, plain vanilla Microsoft, and Dell-crippled Windows XP Pro SP2). I have tried four freewares which all worked:
Paragon Partition Manager,
Paragon Drive Copy,
EASEUS Partition Master, and
XXCopy
all cloned the os paritition to boot successfully. The payware did not work: the image created by Acronis True Image would not boot correctly, but I eventually abandoned the effort to determine the precise problem. PartitionMagic 8 (purchased) would only hang while trying to read the 320GB drives and never could get to the stage of actually cloning the partition.
I have also just build an automated (scheduled) disk backup system for a Dell desktop with Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 free. This worked very well–all tasks were completed and verified. It was extremely easy–all tasks can be executed with wizards which have reasonable defaults or the process can easily be customized with the extensive and comprehensive built-in help file system. And it was very fast. This is now among my first choice softwares since it has so many modes of operation, can send archives or clone partitions to internal or external drives, USB flash drives, network drives, CD/DVD; burns a boot recovery disk to access and restore partitions in case your boot disk crashes; scheduled differential backups; back up files as well as partitions; etc.
For doing this kind of work I also recommend the freeware TestDisk, with which you can examine, repair, recover, or build partition tables.
So, in my experience, the freewares work, the paywares do not. YMMV.
6 points
Thank you!
Cannot help on this subject. If I have anything I want saved, I just copy it to a cd and store it.
Never really understood what the big deal was with backup software. I guess I just don’t have anything that important to backup.
If my computer crashes I just restore and reinstall what software I want. Sorry.
2 points
Thank you anyway!
as i said in another thread i don’t use this kind of software much :oP
But after a disaster i just realize how stupid i can be some times.. hehe..
2 points
Thanks !
Back in the old DOS (+ Win9x) days I used Ghost, after that I switched to Acronis True Image and Paragon Drive Image. Mostly I use Acronis now.
3 points
Thank you!
Catching up with these BestS.
Here are my votes.
Free:
1-GParted
2-Macrium Reflect
3-DriveImage XML
Shareware:
1-Acronis TrueImage
2-Paragon Drive Backup Pro
3-O&O DiskImage
5 points
Thank you!
I never was much of a fan of backup utilities until I lost all my data a couple of times after computer crashes. Now I use Paragon Drive Backup 9 Professional (4 points) to keep my data secure. I recommend to everyone to use some type of backup because sooner or later your system will crash.
3 points
Thank you !
I have submitted responses to both the data backup and disk imaging surveys, explaining what tasks I did, what software I used, and how they performed. My comments appeared on the respective pages for two days with the notation that they were awaiting moderation. Now they are completely removed. Could you explain what was so objectionable about my remarks that you completely deleted them? If you do not want me to participate, it is your site and I will respect your wishes, but at least let me know.
2 point
Hi !
They are not removed at all. Still waiting moderation.
Now … what exactly should we let you know ?
Okay, this is weird. I just submitted another remark and after going through the WPSpam-Free hoop-jumping, the pages loaded with my previous comments, which were not on the page when I first visited them and then submitted today. Is this a problem with the spam software or something else?
Hi!
I have no idea. I see them all.
The good part is that you’re calm now.
Regards !
Thank you!
Hi again! Unfortunately what I’ve used in this regard is very limited. My only recommended software was Acronis True Image, both the free and the paid-for versions. They’re very easy to use and work quickly and efficiently!
3 points
Thank you!
None of the free or shareware products provide any help in the case of disaster recovery–when the machine is burned/buried/stolen, etc. and the data must be restored to a new machine. For that reason, I use Acronis True Image Echo Workstation with Acronis Universal Restore.
3 points
Thank you!
DriveImage XML
2 points
Thank you!
I have avoided Acronis and ParagonHere onyour BestS Data Backup list.
But here’s the place to praise them!
Freewares:
1-Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard ) 5 points
2-Macrium Reflect 3 points
3-DriveImage XML 1 point
Sharewares:
1-Acronis TrueImage 5 points
2-Paragon Drive Backup Pro 3 points
3-Norton Ghost 1 point
Acronis® True Image Home® version 10.0 for imaging - completely reliable. I wouldn’t use freeware or software on something as important as this
3 point
Thank you!
PS I tried Norton Ghost, not a good experience - too complex and unforgiving, in my opinion
2 points
Thank you!
Hi,
Here are my top 3 free image tools.
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
2. Acronis true image free for wd, Seagate and maxtor HD’s.
3. EASEUS Todo Backup.
4 points
Thank you!
Hi Guys!
1st Choice: Acronis True Image 11 5 points
2nd Choice: Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Pro 3 points
Cheers!
I have been using BootItNG for quite some time. It is one of the most underrated best image creation programs that I have used. It has never let me down. I have used Acronis and Paragon software. They are excellent imaging programs but none of them have been as consistent as BootItNG in creating bullet proof backups. BootItNG also is very good for installing multiple operating systems. It can also get around the four primary partitions limitation. The creators of BootItNG have been around for a long time and seem to understand the intricate workings of a hard drive.
Philip
4 points
Thank you!
My choices
Partition Wizard -
EASEUS Partition Master free
Anyway, I never have had need for these kind of software, but as I write a freeware blog, I’ve tested them out before.
3 points
Thank you!
Hi! Here is my very-short-list:
Freeware: Macrium Reflect Free Sharewares: Acronis TrueImage Home 10
Paragon Hard Disk Manager 9
Cheers!
4 points
Thank you!
Hi there! This is more obvious than the data backup solution.
Freewares
1. Macrium 5 points
1. Paragon 3 points
2. Clonezilla 1 point
Sharewares ( thanks 4 free ! )
1. Acronis True Image 5 points
2. Paragon Drive Backup Pro 3 points
3. Norton Ghost 1 point
That’s it! Hope that helps.
as I said I don’t do backups because I have no place where to do them. That being said, in my opinion, Backup and Imaging software interlace quite a lot between themselves.
As Acronis 5 points can do both and as I have it in v.11, I’ll stick to it!
I have Paragon Hard Disk manager9, but haven’t used it yet….
This is the only prog of this type I have.
Want to save to external drive but don’t have it yet.
Sorry.
hi
for me acronis true image works best. norton ghost is, well giving up the ghost as it’s a little clunky (and old). paragon drive backup also works well but for me, the ranking would be as follows:
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup
3. Ghost
3 points
Thank you!
I don’t have a freeware Disk Imaging program, but I do have Macrium Reflect Pro 5 points from GOTD. I see no reason to switch it out but if I ever have to, I will download Macrium Free Version 5 points. So - I guess my vote goes with Macrium.
As for shareware, I have licenses for Pragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3 points and EASEUS Partition Master Pro 1 point. I don’t see them as the same kinds of applications, so for drive backups, I would vote for Paragon.
My choices for disk imaging software that I have had the time to try:
Freeware:
1- Macrium Reflect 5 points
Shareware:
1- Paragon Drive Backup Pro 5 points
2- Acronis True Image 3 points
3- O&O DiskImage 1 point
The ones I tried when trying to “fix” my Media Center PC under Vista:
- Macrium Reflect Free 5 points : for me this is the best free solution as of today (except 4Free HFs)
- Paragon Drive Backup Express 3 points (I did not have time to test B&R 10 Free)
- DriveImage XML1 point (much older, but was working fine for me under XP)
Regarding sharewares :
- Acronis True Image, 5 points even my girlfriend can restore a backup with this.
- Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3 points (saved my life on my Netbook)
- Norton Ghost 1 point , I love command line driven tools
I have only used Paragon from the ones listed…I found Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro to be first class , however for Win7 Paragon Backup and recovery v10 free is hard to beat.
Regards,
BillyT
3 points
Thank you!
And here goes my votes:
Freeware:
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. DriveImage XML
3. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
Shareware
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. Norton Ghost
5 points
Thank you for participating !
Like in the other survey, I don’t use much software from this category so I can’t cast a reliable vote. looking forward to the results though!
2 points
OK !
Freewares
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Clonezilla
3. Partition Wizard
Sharewares
1.Acronis True Image
2. GHOST
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro
Hello from Athens!
5 points
Thank you!
Hi again, long time no see (sic) as I explained in the Best Adware/Spyware/Scumware Remover (PC) thread!
I haven’t used any freeware until now (this WILL change because of my mishap) so I cannot vote there.
For shareware (Commercial), I have used Acronis True Image 11 Home (French version from Micro Application).
It worked well on the image backup part but I cannot tell you on the restore part again because of the dodo computer.
P.S.: It is interesting to note that you can get freeware versions of this program (with one caveat) from Seagate and Western Digital (just check on their websites).
The caveat is that you must have at least one drive from the company (it works the same way for both offers).
Ciao
1 point
Merci Paul!
Hello to all,
Freeware
1. DriveImage XML
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. HDClone Free Edition
Commercial / Shareware Versions
1. O&O DiskImage 4.5 Pro (a good improvement vs 3.5)
2. Acronis True Image 2009
3. Paragon Backup 2009 (free Version on the latest ComputerBild in Germany)
These are the ones I tested / had in usage (stayed at the end with the O&O Diskimage 4.5 due to special deal :-))
5 points
Thank you!
My votes.
Freewares
1-DriveImage XML
Shareware:
1-Acronis TrueImage
2-Paragon Drive Backup Pro
3 points
Thank you!
Hi Guys,
My choices are as follows:
Free:
(1) Acronis True Image Free 5 points
(2) Paragon Backup and Recovery 3 points
(3) Macrium Reflect 1 point
Shareware:
(1) Terabyte’s Image for Windows 5 points
(2) Windows 7 Backup ?
(3) Easus Partition Master Pro 3 points
Take care and have a good day.
I don’t have much of a need for imaging software, but here is what I think: … all sharewares
1. Acronis True Image 5 points
2. Macrium - was given away once 3 points
3. Paragon - Also given away 1 point
I’ve never used any of these. For the few times in its life a computer needs a complete restore, data backups are all you need.
Spend your time re-installing and reconfiguring, or spend your time managing yet another software package.
What’s the difference?
1 point
Your choice. Thank you!
Hello 4Free Team!
First of all, thanks for all of your hard work in providing readers with wonderful and free software options.
Here’s my ranking of best disk imaging freeware: (1) Paragon Backup Free; (2) Macrium Reflect; and (3) Acronis (Seagate).
On the shareware side, I would rank disk imaging software the following way: (1) Paragon Backup 9 Professional; (2) Acronis; and (3) O&O Disk Image.
I think all of these are excellent choices and can give the user flexibility with options and automation. But, it’s also probably true that the software may not behave consistently on the same computer, so it’s worth taking the time to find out which one works the best and give’s you the confidence you need if you ever do have to rely on restoring a disk image!
5 points
Thank you!
I use Paragon drive backup (first as standalone program then as part as paragon hard drive manager 2008, both paid for versions) and I”m fully happy with it.
I never tried any other imaging software and don’t plan to try any other in a foreseeable future.
So I guess it’s 5+3+1 = 9 points (5 points - more exactly )for paragon products
My favourite paid is Macrium, I had the freeware and bought the full version almost right away.
It is very good, and has good features. Others gave errors when I wanted to view the images made. with the macrium it mounted and was just like a drive very fast and no errors.
2 is paragon, tho i rarely use it now
3 is East-tec, which i am now trying out still
3 points
Thank you!
The only one I have used is Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 5 points
Hello friends!
Well, I really don’t have knowledge about programs like this, but in my tests I think that Paragon Hardisk Manager 9.5 (that I’ve grabbed from here) is a complete tool to do several things, include this one.
Regards,
Evandro.
2 points
Thank you!
Currently using Acronis True Image. It always works and is fast. Have used Paragon Drive Backup Pro and like it too.
2 points
Thank you!
1 - Paragon backup and recovery 10 - The only program on the list whose rescue CD was able to recognize the SATA controller in my laptop.
2 - Macrium Reflect Free - Very versatile disk imaging software. I would probably use it if I hadn’t fallen in love with Paragon first and wasn’t to lazy to mess with BartPE
3 - Drive Image XML - Works great, but doesn’t do incremental backups.
4 - Acronis True image - Works as advertised (most of the time….)
4 points
Thank you!
Hi, Here you have My freeware list:
1. DriveImage XML
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. Macrium Reflect Free
4. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
Shareware:
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
2. Acronis True Image
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro
4 points
Thank you!
sorry for the bad formatting above :S it wasnt so when I wrote it.
2 points
No problem, I have fixed it.
Thank YOU!
I started using Acronis (freeware - Seagate Disk Wizard) at work a few years ago after the then current version of Ghost (shareware) irritated me with a few too many minor bugs. I liked it so much I now use the shareware version at work and at home. That said, I would use Macrium Reflect if I were to use a freeware version (sorry Acronis).
3 points
Thank you!
I’ve tried both Acronis True Image and Paragon Drive Backup 9.
To be honest, only Paragon was able to handle the job I threw at it.
Acronis simply choked on the number of files.
Paragon stayed on my PC, while Acronis did not.
3 points
Thank you!
Hi !
My experience iwith disk imaging software is not the most up-to-date… I am a long-time fan of Acronis TrueImage (since version 6, if I remember well) on which I decided after comparing it with Norton Ghost at the time. I am currently using version 8 and I intend to stay with TrueImage for the sake of compatibility. From what I can read about the latest versions, they are still ahead of the rest.
Cheers
Humphrey
3 points
Thank you!
I have always used Acronis myself, but with the recent give away of Paragon Drive Backup Pro I have found it rather nice too.
I also tried some of the others like Marcium Refelect and it was nice and simple, a great way to introduce users to disk imaging without too many extras to confuse.
I have never been a fan of Ghost and from what I have heard I doubt I ever will be.
Clonezilla also looks promising but I have not had time to try it yet.
4 points
Thank you!
hi friends, here are my choices. Acronis True Image, 5 points great software. second is O&O DiskImage 3,5 pro. easy to use.
3 points
Thank you!
I’ve tried Paragon Backup & Recovery since I posted my original reply.
Macrium is still my #1
My experience is that Paragon works OK on 2000/XP but won’t backup to network drives on Windows 7.
#1 Macrium Reflect free already ranked in your previous comment
#2 Acronis free (Maxtor / Seagate) 3 points
#3 Easeus Todo Backup (2000/XP/Win7 & Win2003 server) 1 point
#4 Paragon Backup & Recovery
I have been using Paragon Drive Backup PRO and it is the best imaging tool I have ever seen.
But I am hoping that Acronis will be made available for free download as paragon has done.
I vote for Paragon DB9 PRO
2 points
Thank you!
Just to mention that Macrium reflect does not support Linux filesystem. Paragon and Acronis recognise linux and MAC filesystem.
Paragon DB9 PRO 5 POINT
Acronis 2010 4 point
Macrium 2point
3 points
Thank you!
Hi all,
I have only had experience with a few of these, so here”s mine.
Freewares:
Tough decision of these two Freeware as both due a great job (marcium edges out pargon for its ease of use simplicty and smaller footprint:
No expericence with others as of yet:
(1)Macrium Reflect Free 5 points
(2) Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 3 points
Sharewares:
I have only had experince with these two:
Both are great poducts But I Find that latley Paragon has been more reliable with my current system:
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 5 points
2. Acronis True Image 3 points
If i ever use anyothers I be sure to post:
Hi guys! Today I have some free time and here I am!
Freewares
1. Acronis free 5 points
2. Macrium 3 points
3. Clonezilla 1 point
Sharewares
1. Acronis True Image 5 points
2. Paragon Drive Backup Pro 3 points
3. Norton Ghost 1 point
Regards!
freewares
° Special version of TI supplied with the Hard Drive Seagate 5 points
° DriveImageXML 3 points
° Cobian ? disk image ?
Shareware:
1. Acronis TI prior to v10 5 points
2. Paragon 3 points
Here’s my list:
Freeware:
1. Clonezilla
2. Paragon Backup
3. DriveImage XML
Shareware/Paidware:
1. Acronis True Image
2. O&O DiskImage
3. Norton Ghost
Best Regards
5 points
Thank you!
Hi guys ! Here’s my list:
Freewares
1. DriveImage XML 5 points
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition 3 points
3. Easeus Todo Backup ( new stuff - it looks great ! ) 1 point
Sharewares:
1. Paragon Drive Backup Pro 5 points
2. Acronis True Image 3 points
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro 1 point
Hope that helps!
hmm well all
I have used is freeware and that is Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition and I like it sorry I don’t have more picks for you guys.
2 points
Thank you!
Might as well have my opinion noticed somewhere,
Freeware ;
1.Paragon Backup and Recovery
2.Easus Partition Master (Free)
3.Macrium Reflect
Shareware ;
1Acronis True Image
2.Paragon Drive Backup Prp
5 points
Thank you!
Better later than never !
Freeware ;
1.Paragon Backup and Recovery 5 points
3.Clonezilla 3 points
2.Easus Partition Master (Free) 1 point
Shareware ;
1. Acronis True Image 5 points
2. .Paragon Drive Backup 3 points
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro 1 point
Great thread, nice to see how my choices compare with others.
Freeware:
Macrium Reflect free
Easus Partition Master
Paragon Backup and Recovery
Shareware
Macrium Reflect full
Paragon Drive Backup Pro
Acronis No More!!
I had used Acronis, since version 6, and up to TI v 11 (talked them into changing from Ghost at work) - until many people I supported began using laptops, and suddenly began having problems with restoring images - corruption of images, refusing to boot with the Acronis booter - spent several days back and forth with Acronis, downloading little specialized booter files they provided in an attempt to overcome the problem. I cannot recall how many booters I created trying to find one that would work consistently - some wouldn’t recognize the mouse, or the touchpad, some would give a garbled video display, then, God Help Me, got one from them that worked - happily created a backup, verified it, rebooted, began the restore - and suddenly bombed with a corrupt c: drive.
I don’t know if it was the drive controller, the video card, or the software, but in the Acronis forum found many other complaints similar to mine
Had a desktop high-end system, next to it a new Acer laptop, and beside that, a new Dell laptop - same problem with the boot disk and with corruption.
Could boot and restore an image created with TI 11 by using an older version booter on the desktop, so I know the image was not corrupt, but both laptops either choke on the boot disk, or restore a ‘corrupted’ image.
Didn’t want to have to dig around for a matching boot disk for the desktop, and never could resolve the problems with the laptops.
Macrium Reflect for all my users now (found it here, by the way)
happy in my face!!
5 points
Thank you!
Hi guys ! Sorry for taking this survey so late !
Free ;
1.Drive Image XML 5 points
2.Easus Todo backup 3 points
3.Partition Wizard 1 point
Paid :
1. O&O Disk Image 3,5 5 points ( thanks 4Free - I like it more than Paragon )
2.Norton Ghost 3 points
3. Terabyte 1 point
Best regards !
Hi !!
Freeware:
1. GParted
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free
3. DriveImage XML
Shareware:
1. Norton GHOST
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
Reagards
5 points
Thank you!
My Vote for:
Paragon 5+5 points both Freeware and Shareware
Freewares:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points
2.Macrium Reflect Free 3 points
3. EASEUS Partition Master free 1 point
Sharewares:
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 3 points
2. Acronis True Image Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 1 point
3.O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro
But my favorite is:ShadowProtect 5 points.This is very reliable.
Hi 4Free, this will be my vote…
Freewares
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 5 points
2. Macrium Reflect Free 3 points
Sharewares
1. Backup4All Disk Imaging ?!
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro 5 points (not very user-friendly, quite slow)
2. Acronis True Image 3 points
1) Paragon, I prefer the resq CD from Hard Disk Manager, Paragon Promos have provided a lot of great tools, I generally install them in Sandboxie and burn the resq CDs, HDM had the most/best options, even has options for fixing boot records and changing hardware. This saved me when Ghost failed.
2) Norton Ghost, used it happily for several years, dependable, good compression, switched to Paragon re Ghost ‘fixing’ and then refusing to work on some partitions, plus worries/confusion re Vista/W7 potential problems and workaround switches. Again, I used the resq disks - runs from a 1.44 m floppy!
3) DriveImage XP (not XML, this was a different obsolete package) This is the only one I’d run ‘live’ rather than from a bootable image, but it did not move/resize partitions etc., just do/restore images.
-> I really like Paragon, have not had any problems… always work from separate bootable resq disks. Haven’t done much moving/resizing.
BTW, this is my 2nd survey and again I got an error message about not having cookies or Javascript - but both are on! FF3.5.5
5 points
Thank you!
We have a known WPSpam bug. Please make sure you copy your text before submitting it. The second time you just have to paste.
Regards !
Late again:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
2. Norton Ghost
3. Paragon Drive Backup 2010 Special Addition
4. DriveImageXML
5. Acronis True Image
6. Clonezilla
ttfn!
5 points
Thank you!
Ta-ta !
Paragon drive backup Pro 5 points gets my vote, I’ve been using v.9 and it has been flawless in it’s performance. Perfect backups, and quick and flawless restores.
I cannot compare it to the others for I have never used Acronis, and the other software do not work on my system.
Macrium reflect and some of the others rely on the Windows Shadow Copy service to make backups (as far as I know, On Vista.) Paragon does not require that service at all, and the Hot processing function is useful and very efficient. Backups can be made even with Windows running. I have not wanted any other imaging system after I used Paragon. Why fix it if it’s not broken?
Hi!
Freeware:
NONE
Shareware:
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup
3. Norton GHOST
4 points
Thank you!
Hi…
If I have to make my mind (cos I never used an imaging utilities before) than it would be…
Freeware: Macrium Reflect Free 5 points
Shareware: Acronis True Image 5 points
Cheers…
I do not use this softwares so am unable to list any one of them. I would definately give a go in future after reading this survey and go for the top ranked
2 points
Thank you!
I havent used a lot of those Tools so here are my few Choices:
Freeware:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
2. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
Shareware:
1. Acronis TrueImage
2. O&O Diskimage Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Hi,
I cannot have a say in this domain, I don’t use such softwares, but many of the user’s comments encourage me to do so. When I do, I will give my honest opinion.
Take care
2 points
Thank you!
freeware Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition.
Shareware Norton GHOST
4 points
Thank you!
The only one I’ve used and still use almost every week with Win XP is ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE HOME 11.8101.
Backup and recovery are flawless, although I’ve heard the newer version is buggy with Windows 7.
3 points
Thank you!
MINE
PARAGON FOR BOTH FREEWARE & SHAREWARE
2 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
2. EASEUS Partition Master free
Shareware:
1. Acronis True Image
2. Norton GHOST
5 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
2. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
3. Clonezilla
Shareware:
1. Acronis TrueImage
2. O&O Diskimage Pro
5 points
Thank you!
I prefer the Paragon software for ease of use and dependability.
3 points
Thank you!
My best freewares :
-Macrium Reflect Free
-EASEUS Todo Backup
My best shareware :
-Acronis True Image
I own Acronis True Image 10 since about 3 years and I am almost perfectly satisfied with it.
5 points
Thank you!
I choose.
Freeware: 1. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition 2. DriveImage XML 3. Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware: 1. Acronis True Image 11 2. O&O Disk Image3,5 Pro 3. Norton Ghost 15
5 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1)Macrium Reflect
2)Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
Shareware:
1)Acronis True Image
2)Norton Ghost
5 points
Thank you!
Shareware:
1. EASEUS Partition Master Pro (I have used this program only as I got it for free some days ago from a Giveaway on TechPP.)
2. Norton Ghost (Used only the Trial version)
I have used this program only as I got it for free some days ago from a Giveaway on TechPP.
3 points
Thank you!
Macrium Reflect Free
partimage
Driveimage XML
Norton Ghost for 16bit FAT OS
4 points
Thank you!
Hi,
That also is not very easy .
Freeware
1. Clonezilla
2. Macrium Reflect Free
3. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard )
Shareware
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
2. Acronis True Image
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro
4. Macrium Reflect Pro
Best regards !
5 points
Thank you!
Freeware :
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
Shareware
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
2. Acronis True Image
5 points
Thank you!
Finally a few seconds to breathe and post! For the freeware section I’ve only used two different pieces of software, but I’d happily recommend both of them (in this order):
1. Acronis Free version 5 points 2. DriveImage XML 3 points
For commercial (shareware) I have only ever used:
1. Acronis True Image Home (v11) 5 points
In fact I’ve been using Acronis Home since version 7, and liked it so much that I paid for the upgrades (to v11 currently).
I’d be curious to see what the final vote looks like
Best regards.
I’m sure you wanted to put this as a comment to the DISK Imaging Survey ( and not the one for specialized databackup solutions )
In this category, Acronis True Image WD Edition and Macrium Reflect Free Edition are my tools of choice.
4 points
Thank you!
Not something I use a lot, I normally tend to just run normal backups rather than take an image. On the rare occasions I have made an image, eg. when swapping hard disks:
Freeware
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
2. Clonezilla
3. HDClone
Shareware
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. O&O Disk Image
5 points
Thank you!
I only used the Acronis True Image once, and it was good.
But my other tries on disk imaging just went horribly wrong, usually result in the computer being sent to the manufacturer to repair. Though I heard that EASUS is also usable.
3 points
Thank you!
I don’t use disk imaging software. Sorry!
2 points
Thank you!
I use Acronis as my primary back up software but prefer Drive Image but Norton bought it and buried it so it’s obsolete. I also aquired a copy of Shadow Protect ans it as fast as Drive Image I need to fool around with it some more to get the hang of it but I think that will eventually be my primary imaging software.
Bill S
I have tried these freeware,
1.Paragon
2.Acronis
3.Easeus
I have not used any shareware versions to give any opinion on them.
4 points
Thank you!
Freeware DriveImage XML seems to do a good job.
My preference will have to be Acronis True Image 9, the paid for version which I am using at the moment.
3 points
Thank you!
My Choices:
Freeware:
Drive Image XML
Shareware:
Norton Ghost
2 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. EASEUS Todo Backup
Shareware:
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. Macrium Reflect Pro
Thanks.
5 points
Thank you!
For freeware:
I like EASEUS Todo Backup.
For Shareware:
Paragon’s Drive back up. I use Paragon HDM 2009 SE solely because of Drive Backup.
3 points
Thank you!
I use Acronis TrueImage Home. I have updated each year that new versions have come out. I have had to restore images after disk crashes, system getting scrambled, or just to test betas OS’s. It’s fast and I am up and running as soon as the restore finishes.
3 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
Shareware:
1.Acronis
2.O&O Disk Image
3.Paragon Drive Backup
5 point
Thank you!
freeware: Macrium Reflect free
shareware: Acronis True Image
3 points
Thank you!
Paragon back up and recovery works for me.
2 points
Thank you!
1. Acronis TrueImage 11
2. Macrium Reflect Free
3. DriveImage XML
2 points
Thank you!
my choice for this category is simple:
Freeware: Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware: Acronis True Image
3 points
Thank you!
I only use Acronis True Image which is a shareware
1 point
Thank you!
Can’t comment, never used them
Sorry
1 point
Thank you!
I use Paragon drive backup, which i got as a full version giveaway.
Having never used backup software before, I find this software easy to use and it has never let me down, which is very important!
2 points
Thank you!
Hi, tough to pick the order for these programs, but here goes….. Free: 1. Acronis True Image(WD/Seagate/Maxtor versions) 2. Macrium Reflect 3. DriveImage XML
Paid: 1. Acronis True Image 2. Norton Ghost 3. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Free1 Acronis TrueImage for WD2 Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition3 Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware1 Shadow Protect2 Acronis True Image3 Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Free
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. EASEUS Todo Backup
Paid
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. Macrium Reflect Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Used last week & more regularly: Paragon Drive Backup & DriveImage XML.
Tried previously: Macrium Reflect, Easeus, East-tec, Titan
5 points
Thank you!
Free
1. DriveImage XML - 38 points ( 13 votes - average 2,92 points )
2. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard ) - 34 points ( 8 votes - average 4,25 points)
3. Clonezilla
Shareware
1. O&O DiskImage 3,5 Pro
2. Norton GHOST
3. EASEUS Partition Master Pro
5 points
Thank you!
freeware
1.Seagate Disk wizard-Acronis
shareware
1.Paragon Drive Backup 9 Professional
3 points
Thank you!
This is one where I think you get what you pay for:
Free:
1. Macrium Reflect - but it is slow
2. Paragon Back Up & Recovery 10 Free.
3. Clonezilla - you need to boot from DVD and image from there if you have a Windows system.
Paid for:
1. Shadow Protect - fast, reliable and has never let me down. Expensive but ideal for ‘critical’ PCs
2. Acronis True Image - ‘feature creep’ is beginning to bloat this great program, lots of people seem to have troubles with it but has never failed for me.
3. Windows Home Server Back Up - not really a back up program but will back up all your Windows PCs daily and will turn them on & off to do this as well!
5 points
Thank you!
Acronis is the only one I’ve used before so I can’t comment on the rest. It works well and there hasn’t been any problems with it so far.
2 points
Thank you!
I’ve only used Acronis, from version 7 to the latest release.
2 points
Thank you!
Freeware
1 Macrium Reflect Free
2 EASEUS Partition Master free
3 Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
Shareware
1 Acronis True Image
2 Norton GHOST
3 Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Freewares:
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. EASEUS Partition Master free
As for sharewares:
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. O&O DiskImage 3.5 Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1) EASEUS Todo Backup
2) Clonezilla
3) Roadkil.Net Disk Image (http://roadkil.net/program.php?ProgramID=12)
Shareware:
1) Acronis® True Image Home 2010
2) R-Drive Image Backup
3) Paragon Drive Backup Pro 9 (10)
5 points
Thank you!
Acronis True Image Home and O&O diskimage are the best imaging and backup software.
2 points
Thank you!
I tried paragon drive back up but its quite complicated .. now I use Acronis true image only.. the hard disk version(WD/Seagate/Maxtor versions) which is free
This is a no-brainer (at least for me) Paid or free it’s Macrium Reflect!! Has never failed me
Freeware:
1. Macrium Reflect Free
2. Partition Wizard Home Edition
2 points
Thank you!
Free: 1) Macrium Reflect Free; 2) CloneZilla
Shareware: Acronis True Image
3 points
Thank you!
acronis, please… every time!
2 points
Thank you!
Acronis True Image - 1 point!
2 points
Thank you!
Freeware :
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. Macrium Reflect Pro
5 points
Thank you!
Freeware
1. EASEUS Partition Master free
2. DriveImage XML
3. Clonezilla
Shareware
1. Acronis True Image
2. O&O DiskImage
3. Norton GHOST
5 points
Thank you!
I have used Ghost to take an image of my newly installed system once, but neither i needed to use those image disks nor to have an image of my disk again. Although, i’m not in need of any disk imaging tools for now, i have grabbed earlier promotions of Paragon given on 4Free, for future use, because i trust Paragon softwares. I obviously will try them in some future time and will be back with feedback i hope…
3 points
Thank you!
Freeware:
1. DriveImage XML
2. HDClone Free
Shareware:
1. Paragon Drive Copy 9 Professional
2. Acronis True Image
3. R-Drive Image
5 points
Thank you!
Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Pro
Easeus Todo Backup
I have both but have only had the opportunity to try Paragon’s
If you can find Paragon’s GET IT!
3 points
Thank you!
Shareware -
I’ve used Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.0 SE and 9.5 SE, both of which I obtained for free (the latter on 4Free). HDM is basically the combination of Paragon’s Drive Backup and Partition Manager apps. I’ve been satisfied with both the imaging and partitioning tools, so have never tested their commercial competitors.
Freeware -
DriveImage XML - I used v1.21 a couple of years ago and found it to be a very good app. You can browse the image and restore individual files. Be aware, however of a couple of its limitations (which from their website appear to apply also to the current v2.13):
– You can’t restore an image to a partition smaller than the one from which it was taken. (Say you have a 5 GB partition with only 1 GB of data and want to restore it to a 2 GB partition.) I think a workaround could be to browse the image and restore the individual files to the smaller partition.
– The app only works for Windows (FAT/NTFS partitions), which would be a limitation if you also have a Linux or other system installed on the disk.
PartImage and GParted -
These are very good Linux apps which can also manipulate Windows partitions. PartImage is for imaging whereas GParted is a powerful partitioning app, basically a clone of Partition Magic (the top dog for years that Paragon and others also emulate for partitioning tools). I guess its ability to copy and paste partitions is why it’s listed here. If you are interested in running these, the best way is to download and burn the SystemResourceCD, a boot disk that runs a virtual Linux system that can also access your Windows partitions. It includes both these apps pre-installed as well as several other useful system tools. However, if you are only running Windows try one of the other free apps, as the Linux way of labelling partitions, though simple, can be a bit intimidating if you are not used to it.
The above apps were especially wonderful a couple of years ago when there was little available for free. But now that the commercial companies (Macrium, Paragon, etc) have released free versions of their apps, I’d check those out first. They probably have more bells and whistles. Of course I’d first check on 4Free for free promos of their paid apps. Paragon, especially, has frequent promos and their Hard Disk Manager is a full tool chest for both imaging and partitioning.
I recently decided to make my first disc image after talking to a friend. I came here and went straight to the freeware list and downloaded Macrium Reflect Free. I first easy made the recovery disc and then the disc image. I was impressed how easy it was. Now I don’t know if it will work (I see no reason it wont) and I hope I never have the opportunity to find out but the pace of mind is good. As this is the only disc image software I have used my vote is for Macrium Reflect Free
Freeware:
1. Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 (Free Edition)
Shareware:
1. Acronis True Image
I recommend software that works….that is, software that does what it claims. Both Paragon and Acronis have “saved” me from computer crashes. A word of caution with Acronis: make sure to “verify” your backup image.
Freeware:
Macrium Reflect Free
Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
HDClone Free Edition
Shareware:
Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
EASEUS Partition Master Pro
Freeware
Clonezilla
Macrium Reflect Free
DriveImage XML
Shareware
Paragon Hard Disk Manager
Ghost
Acronis True Image
1. DriveImage XML
2. Paragon Hard Disk Manager
3. Easeus
free macrium reflect free, seagate disc wizard(free for seagate HD owners and is actually derived from acronis)
paid acronis
R-Drive Image Pro
Or Maximum Reflect Free
Freeware:
EASEUS Todo Backup
EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition
Shareware
I am using EASEUS Partition Master Pro.
It is excellent
freeware:
euseus todo back up
macrium reflect
clonezilla
shareware:
norton ghost
Easeus Todo Backup
EASEUS Partition Master
Freeware - 1. Acronis TrueImage, 2. Paragon Backup & Recovery, 3. Macrium Reflect
Paid - 1. Acronis True Image, 2. Paragon Drive Backup Pro, 3. O&O Disk Image
I recommend for newbies Acronis now days because of its best userfriendly features especially its one click backup and restore to CD/DVD/hidden partition free from OS Viruses.
I recomend clonezilla - gparted live CD/DVD or software for tech suvvies because of its more all inclusive features with user Unfriendly Linux like naming convensions. Maximum features coupled with linux command line like interfaces and naming conventions for Drives, Partitions and files make it the best free software but with poorly laid graphical user interface. If one can develope Bart PE like windows like user friendly interface for it, it will instantly be a good hit in the market taking over all its rivals.
Macrium Reflct, DriveXML, HDClone backup or image to XML files and hence are more suitable for live or hotbackup and restores than one click full and incremental click and restores. If one click backup and restore features are included in these software these will be instant hit.
Paragon, Easeus, Partition Wizard, O&O tools seem to backup files folders,partitions but seem to be lacking one click save and restore. So though good for commercial users of Windows not really useful for PC users.
So for Home PC Users especially I recommend Acronis. For Tech Suvvies, I recommend CloneZilla - Gparted, For Live backup Macrium, DriveXML, HDClone are good especially in online PCs or Servers.
For normal users Paragon or Easeus or Partition Wizard or O&O tools are good if they are available as they can configure what to where to backup and restore.
I did not try ghost but learnt that it still uses DOS like commands which fail to provide some advanced features that linux like command based acronis is capable of providing. But Ghost provides separate CD while Acronis makes bootaable CD/DVD live.
So for Home PC Users and newbies only Acronis with Full and incremental backup and live backup is recommended but for those who can not afford it, Paragon, Partition Wizard, Easeus and O&O tools prescribed till their features catchup with one another and become all inclusive like Clonezilla-Gparted, with easy interface like Acronis with live/hot backup like Macrium Reflct, DriveXML, HDClone and generic Purpose like Paragon or Easeus or Partition Wizard or O&O.
In my experiments on my PC, I had some problems with naming conventions of Paragon, Easeus tools while Partition Wizard waseasy to deal with especialy in identifying lost or corrupted MBR and Boot Records, Paritions and drives.
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O 5pt
2. Clonezilla 3pt
Not much experience here, only tried Paragon Backup and Recovery and Pargon Hard Disk Manager, pro softwares got as giveaways
FREEWARE:
1.Macrium.
2.DriveImage.
3.Paragon.
SHAREWARE:
1.O&O.
2.Paragon.
3.Acronis.
4.Easeus.
I use Acronis True Image which is good for me because it has an easy to use interface.
I have Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition, but have never had occasion to use it. It looks like a pretty straightforward program for backing up an entire disk, or selected partitions.
I have tried Acronis True Image. Result- took a LONG time & when it tried to verify the image, it said it was corrupt or some such. NOT a good copy/image! Do I want to try it again? No.
What I want to see is a Paragon Backup & recovery that makes the backup totally self- installing, no need for any software to do it, just double-click it and it works. 
No rescue disk so you can use a software to restore.
I have tried Drive Image XML, & it deleted ALL my files & a backup that were on my external harddrive.
I have studied every backup software there is, I think, & all I got was so confused that I didn’t make a backup after that. I have a huge folder of all the info I found from so much checking.
FINALLY I found a great one! It’s so easy, and it just DID it, without a big deal or scaring me. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition ( called Special Edition on Giveawayoftheday, but on Paragon email with the reg keys, it said free edition) . It did take rather long for the first backup, but from now on, it will do them faster. BTW, it gave me a choice of where to put the backup, and on my PC hard-drive was 1 choice, which means it creates partitions. Website says-”Any backup destination - including external storages, CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs, network as well as the secured hidden partition (Backup Capsule)”. It also would create a rescue disk, but I don’t have CDs empty right now. lol Let me tell ya, with all the backup software out there & they all tell you it’s so easy, then you find out you have to BUILD it kinda, or use other software to restore the backup, etc etc!, that if I hadn’t found Paragon Backup & recovery 10 free edition & tried it, I’d still be without a good backup! It is just NUTS how many stupid backup softwares are out there. Backup is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing for a PC! Ok, that & a good firewall.
OH! So Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 FE is my #1 choice, & the rest are NOT. Thanks! Keep up the good work! (Sorry this got long.)
Freeware:
1. Seagate DiscWizard
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
Shareware:
1. Norton GHOST (best)
2. Acronis True Image
3. Paragon Partition Manager 10 Personal
4. O&O Diskimage
Maxim Reflect Free - 5 points
free: Paragon
paid: Paragon
Hi again,yet again I am going to be seen as lazy when It comes to this kind of thing
The only one I can comment on Is O&O Disc Image,I have It Installed the shortcut looks nice on the desktop,never used the software.I should be ashamed of myself.
Norton GHOST by preference:
Have tried other’s but have had problems.
Hi again!
I made a “rescue disk” on my external harddrive tonight, using Paragon (they have several rescue disk softwares, all about the same, as they DO the same thing-RESCUE your BOOT RECORD!) and it was fast & easy, so if you use any Paragon Backup system, be sure to use the rescue disk creator that comes in it right away, you’ll love it! The only problem was that I can’t find a manual on their site for it. Thought I’d just let people know about it, as I assume many will come here to find out what people like best.
Hey Guys,
1 Paragon BackUp and Recovery 10 Free
2 DriveImage XML
3 O and O Disk Image 4 Express
The only paid product I would use is Acronis True Image - I’m still using v10 and it works fine.
Also, I have been experimenting lately with Comodo Time Machine and it has saved me at least once. It is worth checking out.
Cheers,
JBR
Used Norton Ghost one time—saved my system!!! Must have taken close to a dozen disks,but,no matter, just reloaded them one at a time and, voila!, computer saved from reformat! thanks!!
It’s me again :), Skye-hook. Between the time I posted before & now, I had almost THE WORST happen, almost had to reformat!
My PC wouldn’t boot up, & in safe mode, System Restore couldn’t fix it. I was so upset! Then among the many times I was having to reboot to try to fix it- VOILA! I see for a very fast instant a line that said Press F6 for Paragon Restore! So I did. And Paragon didn’t say so a any point that I ever saw, but a wizard came on & totally restored my PC to the exact way it was when I saved the image!
Thank heavens I had finally made a good backup using it! (See above for version, I left 2 other posts.) The timing on it was sure convenient, huh? lol:) It takes about 2 hours to make the backup image for about 100 gigabites I have installed on my PC, & about 2 hrs to restore it from my external harddrive.
BTW, if you have the image on external source like external harddrive, or a USB device, you must have it hooked into PC before you press F6 for Paragon to restore it, or it won’t find the file it needs to restore from if you plug that in after you start the Paragon ap. It sure saved my PC! I don’t recall if I got it from ForFree or GOTD, but it’s the same one.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Paragon Backup & Recovery 2010 !!!- Compact or free or Special edition, all the same.
This is one area of computing that I have never been very succesful with as I have never had a backup or recovery that has actually worked 100%. So now I find it easier & quicker just to do a complete reinstall.
Freeware: Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware: Acronis True Image
freeware:
- Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
shareware:
- Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
- Acronis True Image
paragon drive backup only one i used
The only one I ever used was Ghost by Norton and I wasn’t too crazy about it. Right now I rely on Raid 1 but I know it’s not the panacea!
Macrium’s freeware edition
Paragon or Acronis are close as shareware versions.
The only one that I have ever used has been Acronis.
I’ve only tried Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition.
Freewares:
Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
EASEUS Todo Backup
Sharewares:
Acronis True Image
Paragon Drive Backup
EASEUS Partition master free is fantastic. Very easy to use. I was able to resize the hard drive on my laptop very quickly and easily
Acronis True Image.
I used Norton Ghost for 9 years but several times it was not possible to restore the image that I wanted, then they eliminated the boot from CD option (I much prefer this) and my old CD won’t boot my new computer. Therefore for the past year I have been using Acronis and am very happy with it even though it too could not restore one of my images.
I use Easus Partition manager to dela with partitions and either Paragon Drive Backup or Acronis True Image to deal with the whole drive
I always used Symantec Ghost, the best, I think
Freeware - clonezilla
shareware - Norton GHOST
Freewares:
Paragon Backup & Recovery Free
EASEUS Todo Backup
Sharewares:
Acronis True Image
Paragon Drive Backup
Acronis is the ultimate solution. Problem is, I am too lazy to image
free: EASEUS Partition Master free, shareware: Acronis True Image
Free:
- DriveImage XML
Paid:
- Acronis True Image 11 (use it every day, before i install some giveaway’s and others)
I personally like Acronis True Image, but the Lenovo System Recovery software and Norton Ghost are good too.
1.EASEUS Todo Backup
2.Paragon Backup&Recovery Free
3.Personal Backup
“Hakuna Matata” is very original indeed.
Like already said : you’re using multiple user names on this IP
It’s true that you keep the same email address !
It used to be Jurgen, Nils, 123, etc …
I havn’t used full disk backup only file backup but will be considering it in the future
Acronis is the benchmark!
Freeware
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O ( Seagate Disk wizard )
2. O&O Disk Image Pro 4
Shareware
1. Acronis Trueimage v. 10
I love this software. Very user friendly
FREEWARE - #1 Macrium Reflect Free
#2 Acronis TrueImage
#3 Paragon Backup & Recovery
SHAREWARE - #1 Acronis True Image
#2 Paragon Drive Backup
#3 EASEUS Partition Master Pro
For me the best Disk Imaging Software as follows:
Freeware:
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition
2. Macrium Reflect Free
3. DriveImage XML
Shareware:
1. Paragon Drive Backup Pro
2. Shadow Protect
3. Acronis True Image
i use O&O Disk Image Pro 4 and thats about it…i dont use it much though
I have changed to win 7 so I now use 7 Backup & recover but only for system image
It works well
SharewareParagon Drive Backup 9 Pro
Freeware
Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
1. Paragon Drive Backup Pro
2. O&O DiskImage
3. DriveImage XML
4. Acronis True Image
5. Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware:
1. Macrium Reflect
2. Paragon Drive Backup Pro
Freeware:
1. dd if=/dev/sda1 of=partition.image
2. Macrium Reflect Free
3. Clonezilla
Shareware:
1. Macrium Reflect Full
2. almost anything which does it’s job well and it’s not a dinosaur
I’m really annoyed by all the overbloated “big names”. They might be good but they are all suffering of featuritis. I don’t need that. When a partition imaging tool gets well over 50 MB you know that something is rotten in the State of Denmark…
And I included Clonezilla only becouse I like what it does and how it does it.
Update: add ODIN to my list… I like it, it’s small and does what I need.
So my freeware list is:
1. ODIN
2. dd if=/dev/sda1 of=partition.image
3. Macrium Reflect Free
4. Clonezilla
Freeware
1. Paragon Backup & Recovery free edition
2. Clonezilla
3. Partition Wizard
Shareware
1. Norton GHOST
2. Macrium Reflect Pro
3. Terabyte’s Image for Windows
Disk Imaging
Freeware:
1. Paragon BU & Recover Free - I simply like Paragon products. Effective, appealing and (relatively) simple.
2. Easeus Partition Master Free - Good solid performance.
3. Acronis TrueImage 8 (as bundled with Seagate) - clean and attractive interface. Easy to use.
Shareware:
1. Paragon Drive Backup 9 - Like I said, I like Paragon products.
2. Acronis True Image 2009 (or 2010) - Liked the bundled (free) edition and have used the full for imaging and disk transfer.
3. Easeus Partition Master Pro
Honorable Mention: O&O Disk Image
-wkp
freeware
Macrium Reflect FREE
shareware
Macrium Reflect pro
Acronis True Image Home 2010
freeware
Acronis True Image WD Edition v11 free
shareware
Acronis True Image Home 2010
Paragon
I use Acronis True Image Home 2010. It is just OK and I find the scheduler buggy. Sometimes an Incremental backup would turn into a Full backup for no reason and vice versa. It also has a lot of other gimmicks that I don’t use.
I have heard a lot of good things (more reliable backups) on “ShadowProtect Desktop”, never gotten a chance of giving it a try though, and it’s a lot more expensive than Acronis TI
Very nice program
Is this a joke ?
I only believe in doing imaging after a clean OS install . Later, you might as well start fresh with a new install every year or three if your system clogs or is compromised… up rather than hassle with daily images.
Thus I do all the free ones at the same time.
DriveImage XML
Macrium Reflect Free )
Paragon
And plan to try Partition Wizard next time, I end up with 3-4 images ready to take whatever really works .. I do not trust imaging enough to work with one .. ongoing.
Shalom,
Steven
Acronis TI
DriveImage
SnapsShot
Hello,
I do not use any of these types of programs.
OK, this is one close to my heart! I have been experimenting with different options, hoping to figure out which one would be the most stable (less prone to errors). I’d really like to find the image backup software that doesn’t depend upon a proprietary program necessarily to restore. I have used and like:
EASEUS Todo Backup (successfully)
Acronis TrueImage (prior to Windows 7 64 bit)
Paragon Backup & Recovery (OK)
Paragon and easus did not work for me, so I cannot rate them. I would like to try Trueimage, but as i have not i would recommend in win 7 backup.
I also like Ghost, which does what it says on the tin, and for me at least it works
Freeware
Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
DriveImage XM
Macrium Reflect Free
Shareware
1. Acronis True Image
2. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
3. O&O DiskImage
For a decade i have been using Norton Ghost.
Freeware
1. Acronis TrueImage V 8.O
2. Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
3. EASEUS Partition Master free
Shareware
1. Norton GHOST
2. Acronis True Image
3. Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro
In my opinion the best disk cloning apps are DriveImage XML (freeware) and Acronis True Image (shareware)
Hii,
I like to use driveimage XML and windows inbuilt back option (in freewares)
and in sharewares
I use acronis true image home 13.0 and paragon drive backup pro
Free: 1 - Macrium
Shareware: 1 - Acronis True Image
Disk Imaging is something i would do very rarely but if i had to choose the sofware i liked best right now, it would probably be Easeus ToDo. I didsome work on my dad’s pc just last week and i was well impressed with Easeus. From installing and first looks i thought Hmmm very nice indeed and i did a complete disc image of me dad’s “vista”. It did the job with no problems at all. It did a full image in about an hour and i burned the image onto discs (3).
The interface was impressive and fresh and easy to navigate and i thought all round it was a great piece of software. I will be using it again for my own pc.
I have also used paragon back up and this too is a good software. The company actually provides support for its Free stuff too. Although it did a very professional job for me it wasn’t as fast as EaseUs and it also seems a little drab in comparison. Cannot fault it though. Its a very good program from a very strong company…Just my opinion.
So in short for me….Mostly i use Freeware. I have Acronis which you get when you purchase with a seagate HDD but i haven’t used it yet because i am simply too busy these dats lol. Which is a good thing, right? Anyway at this time its :
1 EaseUs ToDo
2 Paragon Drive Back up.
I used BackUp4All a while back and it crashed twice so i didn’t bother with it again.
Will post back here when i have tried more program’s. Is it just me or is everybody having trouble keeping up with 4 Free, lol.
CZ
Macrium Reflect and Acronis for me.