The reason MS stop supporting it is because they want you to pay and use the one drive. Period. The built-in Win7 image backup is there and is working fine in Win10 and Win11. It is doing it's job well. Unless you are looking for an incremental backup solution, I don't see a point of not using it. I'm not gonna invest on other solution for Win10/Win11 backup. (i.e. When the next Windows comes up, if the current win7 backup stops working, there is a big chance that the third party software may not work as well) MS says they will remove it from future Windows. Fine, then I will deal with it with another solution at that moment. But not now.
I used to love Win 7 Backup... until it did not work. It is super finicky about recognizing system images. And God forbid you disconnect a drive or move it to a different SATA port, it may not ever see it again. This is why I now use third party.
Yep. I came to this realization immediately upon using Windows 11 on a new pc. I’m sitting there looking at the situation and I’m like “Yeah they’re just trying to bully me into paying for Onedrive.”
@@jallen418 Never NEVER had a problem using MS system Image with Windows 10. NEVER. Able to create a backup placed both on the internal hard drive AND an external drive. NEVER NOT ONCE HAD A PROBLEM.
@@ThomasFromTN I tried to put two backups on same partition and had changed the name of the folder and the new folder with changed name couldn't be seen when I needed to do a restore.
Still saving my PCs &me, I've lost count how many times it has dug me out of the pit of despair of catastrophic failure, even used it on occasion by mounting the system image to restore files I have lost, I did all this so often even wrote my own GUI interface to make life easier.
I needed to use it and had 2 copies. The first one didn't work but the second worked. I realized months later I think if you change the name of the folder created, it can't see it / recognize it. The 2nd copy was on a different partition and hadn't changed the name of the folder and it worked.
Microsoft doesn't want to you to use Windows 7 Image backup because they don't want to continue supporting it (troubleshooting for newer users because if you're not familiar with it, it can be a little tricky especially when restore is necessary) but it is the easiest and most reliable backup for Windows OS thus far. I have always used it and it has never let me down. Simplest product to use, it is built in and continues to be because those who know, like me, request that MS keeps it in their Windows arsenal. That said, there's nothing wrong with keeping more than one type of image backup for instance Macrium Reflect. Redundancy is also a valid tool when it comes to protecting your valuable operating system.
I still rely on System Image Backup and have successfully restored it many times. However, it's not surprising that Microsoft will once again remove a useful feature and replace it with some bullsh1t, or not replace it at all.
Ok.. sorry, this is strange advice on multiple levels. 1. Neither File History nor OneDrive backup system files and more importantly, the registry, which means if you have a catastrophic failure and need to rebuild your system from scratch, yer screwed. You'll have to reinstall every piece of software from scratch (if you even remember what you had) and then reconfigure everything. If your software has install restricted licenses (ie: you can only install them a given number of times) you'll have to go to the software maker (if they still exist) and beg them to roll back the count since you didn't get a chance to unregister the software. 2. OneDrive is online. That's fine for light weight use, but unless you really don't store a lot of stuff, you'll blow out your quota. My system, for example has 1TB on the boot disk. Free OneDrive is 5GB. US@20/yr is 100GB. I'd need the US$70/yr plan to get 1TB... or just buy a 1TB drive which are around US$60. Oh and do you realise how LONG it takes to upload a terabyte??? 3. If your internet is down, forget restoring anything. 4. Data security. If you upload your files, Microsoft (or any host company) is obligated to give access to governmental agencies without a warrant issued to you or informing you (at least in the US, YMMV in other countries). And hosting services like Google may not vanish, but they DO change their rates and services. Google recently retired a service that had everyone scrambling to download their files before it was shuttered. Leaving your files in someone else's hands if lazy and dangerous. The fact that Microsoft hasn't updated the built in imager is simple: there's nothing to update. It's a VERY simple utility that does exactly one thing: make a copy of your boot hard drive to a disk image and restore that image to a drive. There are lots of other choices, but remember: Imager was designed to solve exactly one problem: making a recovery image of your system. It's not meant for ongoing or delta backups. It can be used for that, but yes, there are better options (sort of - my complaint with those options is that they want to integrate deeply with the system and do many other unrelated things when I just want a backup). But Imager is free and included in every system, and everyone should image their system at least once and keep that somewhere safe for emergencies. That's far better than NO backup.
Microsoft has said themselves that the built-in image backup tool is no longer supported and that we should start using a third party tool. Yes, it's better than nothing at all, but with many good, free, alternatives, AND with Microsoft saying "stop using it", there's just no reason to keep using it at all.
@@askleonotenboom They say they don't support it because most newer users don't have the computer savvy to use it properly and Windows support doesn't want to give troubleshooting support for it anymore but those of us who grew up with Windows do know how to use it and love it.
@@jasperburchfield2028 it does still work. I use it regularly, for example when swapping my system onto a larger hard drive, to create system backups that can be used to restore my system if it crashes. I have friends and some of my smaller businesses doing daily system backups, and have on occasions got customers up and running on new hardware painlessly and with no loss of data or software or settings when they have had hardware issues.
I like your reply. I wasn't sure about that Windows7 tool, but now I am creating a system image, just in case. I recently had to reinstall the whole thing from the manufacturer's recovery file. It was a good purging exercise, not to install what I didn't really need, but since it is now like brand new I better have this back-up image, just in case. All other files are already backed up on two different places.
Thank you Leo. I am interested in any and all things Microsoft & tech. I am stating tomorrow a training course for IT tech support. I want to be able to take my CompTIA A+ in 2 months (I am a kind of a nube to tech). I work as a janitor now but want to get into IT in a big way. I am turning 52 tomorrow - so the journey starts!!!
When your hard drive crashes, Windows will boot up in a "Startup Repair" mode, and it will ask you for a system image. This system image should be created by Windows backup. I don't know if a 3rd party tool can create system images that are compatible with Windows repair mode. They probably don't, because they're probably using a different format that supports incremental backups or other new features. So, do you want to risk it when it comes time to restore your system image and find out Windows can't read it?
Good third-party backup programs don't require the Windows "Startup Repair" mode. They have a recovery tool that allows you to restore the whole image right to the bare metal and even allows you to adjust the Master Boot Record (or its more modern equivalents) in case you've got Windows on some drive other than C:
Hey, Leo! Was using Windows system backup (before I knew better!) and, after over 10 hours it was stuck at 97% and didn't progress. I came on to RUclips and found your comments. So glad I did. I reformatted the 2TB external hard drive, found and downloaded 'EaseUs ToDo Backup' that you suggested, and it seems to be working just fine, with progress readouts and time remaining. Even though it will take 8 hours (apparently!), it looks as though it's progressing as intended. So, Thanks!
You are absolutely right about Windows Built-in Image Backup tool! In addition to the image folder about 92 GB, it also created a file about 38 GB in System Volume Information, which was not easy to clean up.
Ask Leo .... I just need a bootable backup that will hold my operating system files from a single point in time. My data files are on a separate hard drive. Upon total C drive failure, I would just put in the replacement drive, start the computer up, and do my work.
Just bought a new win 11 laptop, want to take an image, remove bloatware & make a local account. So far your videos have been the most helpful, so have a subscribe & many thanks Leo!
Great video! Thank you for providing alternatives. Personally, I would probably use a different cloud service for off-site backups. Especially if I'm looking for something that would backup system files, etc.
Been using windows system image to backup and restore for several years. Its reliable but not very easy to master. It restores the whole system with applications intact fully, as backed up. When you understand how to use it properly, it just does the job without the heavy cost of a paid for application.😅
I still use Windows backup and it works brilliantly for win10 and 11. I must admit that for Windows 7 the backup was touch and go very unpredictable. The irony is that it did not work well for win7 but I've been using it for years successfully many times for 10 and 11.
I just want to incrementally back up 3 folders I have on my computer to my DAS during the day. What do you see as a problem with using Widows just for that? Newbie to backups here.
Well, you wouldn't use the built-in image backup tool, which is what this video is all about. So ultimately it depends on what tools you would choose to use to make it happen.
Always good and interesting videos! Thanks. I have one question related to this video: as I am using OneDrive and always have all my stuff in the cloud (and on my PC for most files), would there still be a need to make a backup (on external drive)?
YES. Consider if your OneDrive account gets hacked, and all your files are deleted ... everywhere. There are other scenarios just as dangerous. Basically OneDrive is one place, and if your data is in only one place, it's not backed up.
@@askleonotenboom you should always have a redundant backup solution of some kind. That said, if you are using two factor authentication and have all your ducks in a row with your account security you will be able to get your account access back and restore from one drive to a point before the hack.
I like the built in Windows version, works like a charm as long as you don't rename or relocate the backup file. The worst backup failure I had was actually with a 3rd party (Acronis) software. The problem is, when you have a really bad crash where it wont boot up and you are working with a recovery drive, you cant get to windows to enable the 3rd party software. Microsoft has been threatened to remove it since version 10, but I read lots of people still use it and complained so that's why it's still in Windows 11. They also got rid of thumbnail folder views in Win 11 and then brought it back so who knows.
This is why Acornis is so useful! They give you a bootable CD recovery disk, which has the complete recovery program on it. Windows does not have to be present to do a restore.
Its because you didn't know how to use Acronis. I used it for years on several computer and it worked perfectly. You are supposed to use a USB or a CD-rom and tell your BIOS to boot from there. Then it works as intended. Its both fast and reliable.
MS backup has saved me many times. All new PC do not come with resgore discs, and some are not even coming with restore partitions. I insatll windows and all updates. I then back it up and create the recovery USB. When needed, i simply restore the OS to how it was, re-update and back it up again. Im not sure whats not to like with this as long as your needs are simple,
I'm 100% in favor of doing what you do ... except I would recommend using a different tool. As mentioned in the video (and its companion article) Microsoft has said we should start using a different tool.
Since I have VMs on my machine I believe that I need an HD image backup (not a file or windows backup) to protect against HD failure (the HD is 9 y o). It would be a massive amount of work to recover my VM from scratch. Do thee tools you suggested do image backup? What do you suggest for my situation?
Leo, I am moving from an older PC with Windows 11 to a newer PC with Windows 11. This is my personal computer for home use. Won’t the windows 7 image work for moving to to the new PC. Thx.
In Windows 10, when I open Backup and Restore (Windows 7), there are 3 backup choices, Create a system image, Create a system repair disc, and Set up backup. Just want to confirm that you are referring to Create a system image. BTW, I just discovered your channel and its great!
I don’t know why he’s advocating this the win 7 tool is the best barebones tool out there, and it’s included (free) in the OS. I mainly use that as a system admin for all my clients. I use 3rd party soft for this less than 5% of the time and it’s usually because of file system corruption or something extraordinary.
I don't understand. You go to great lengths to discourage use of the Windows 7 System Image capability but never once in your video did I hear you say it doesn't work. Yes, I understand that it is bare bones on features. But, does it work or doesn't it? Can it create a perfect image of my computer? Can it successfully restore that image perfectly? That's all that matters. Please advise. Thank you, Jim.
I use it every week on a schedule on both Win10 & 11even wrote my own GUI interface(autoit) to make life easier, no cmd needed. I have used it on multiple occasions to not only restore the system disk after catastrophic failure but I also mount these backup images so as to restore files I may have lost or accidentally changed in an undesirable way. It works period. The only short coming is attempting to move an image from an old PC to a new PC with different hardware & firmware, it wasn't designed for that!.
Dont use 1 drive, or any cloud system to store your data. The systems admin of the cloud service can look at your data, can release your data to anyone law authority with a warrant to gain access to it.
I’m not sure about windows 10, but Windows 11 now has a “Windows Backup” app, which guides you through backing up documents and settings to the cloud, and it does kinda backup applications as well, but from what I can tell, unlike what I previously thought, it only “backs up” ones from the Microsoft Store, and even then, it isn’t really backing them up, it just saves a list of what you have installed, and when you restore the backup (which can be done automatically when setting up a new Windows 11 device), it puts placeholder links in the start menu (and it will automatically download the app when you click on the placeholder) I just hope Microsoft doesn’t try to do anything sneaky (such as making it harder to use third party software)
Thanks for this info. I tried using the Windows image backup a couple of months ago and got an error message. I've been looking for a replacement for Acronis True Image, which has gotten to be unusable in recent years. I will look into Macrium or the other one.
Can someone help me? Ive already done a system image backup to my external ssd and i want to delete it. Can I just shift+delete the windows image backup? Or is there a more proper and probably safer way?
I still have many uses for that backup - I will only stop using it if MS does rip it out of win 12 etc - for one its handy to make your own version of an OEM system image restore if everything goes to pot. But this time without the bloat and can be from a clean install image with your own tweaks.
Microsoft want to remove already 2 or 3 years ago, but it was not removed and it still works well. It also was updated in the last time, cause a year or so it stopped working and microsoft fixed it to work again. So there was an update to it and it seems that microsoft still works on it. I myself use mostly acronis true image WD edition that is free with hardware from western digital. I also use aomei backupper pro that works like charm, but actually slow on windows 11. I mostly make backups with different programms, so that I have one more, when one don't work. I also tried the image backup program from windows within windows 11 a week ago and did a restore of the first system drive for a test and worked absolutly finde. And I can put the different hardrives that are in the image without any problems in my system, so that I can use them as a normal harddrive to look for backupped files. Works like charm. Yes microsoft wanted to remove it years ago, but the don't and many use this, cause it is in the system. And in my case it always worked fast and well without any problemes at all. Right now I use it as third backup system for my computer. Fallback backup for case that will hopefully never happend.
I don’t like the idea of installing Windows, then updates, some third-party software that creates backup images, then using that software to backup my image. I’ve already potentially corrupted my image if I do that. There are many reasons but one: I don’t want to get coupled with a proprietary format. But also I think backup should be part of the OS. The Microsoft OS team has intimate knowledge of how things work and access to nearly any API. Now Windows 7 Backup and Restore - I think they finally changed the name on Windows 11 - is buggy a bit but I’ve figured out how to get around those issues. But I install the fewest number of third-party apps I can get away with.
Is this related to WBAdmin at all? I am not afraid of the command line. Will WBAdmin be depreciated as well? It just seems so silly to have to rely on a 3rd party software for something as basic as backups. There seem to be plenty of command like utilities, DISM, xcopy, robocopy. Surely one of those must be able to make a good backup. I use Timeshift and BTRFS on linux, and Time Machine on mac. Get it together Microsoft!
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
@@askleonotenboom Fair and wise comment. Looking forward to your next inciteful outpouring. Thanks for your reply, great to get through to the guy in the know...
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
@@askleonotenboom As bad as arbitrarily declaring perfectly adequate computers that their CPUs are no good for Windows 11? THAT'S BAD PR. Another great video, Leo. Thanks.
Whenever I use or try to use Window 11 "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" to "Create a system image", I get the following pop-up message: ==== The backup failed. There is not enough disk space to create the volume shadow copy on the storage location. Make sure that, for all volumes to be backup up, the minimum required disk space for shadow copy creation is available. This applies to both the backup storage destination and volumes included in the backup. Minimum requirement: For volumes less than 500 Mb, the minimum is 320 Mb of free space. Recommended: At least 1 Gb of free disk space on each volume if volume size is more than 1 Gb (0x80780119) === END === And nobody seems to give me a straight answer to ERROR (0x80780119) to fix this issue. It seems Microsoft has a broken "Create a system image" procedure! So what do you recommend? Thank you.
I think, I had that issue a while ago, and my solution is was to clean up (or formated) that 512MB hidden partition (for recover... whatever is it), and after that it worked fine. In the last 5 years, just only one time I had a big issue (after that all my backups damaged and unusable), but probably that caused a third party backup software...
Have to disagree with you. My PC consists of a 1 TB m.2 drive with a 300Gb partition for the OS and the rest for game storage. What has always been convenient was the ability to restore only the OS partition when needed. Please, don't mention Onedrive.
You should absolutely use it just don't rely on it. It can quickly bring your computer back if there's a problem, but you should also have a third party software as well.
@@askleonotenboom Right, thanks, I found the web site, though, the only options I can see are ones that you pay for. It does say download for free - but it seems that, to use it, you have to pay, Although, the price is not too steep.
@@askleonotenboom I got on to EaseUS chat and the engineer gave me a link to the free version + a link that specified what was missing from the free version. I shall instal this and see how it goes. Thanks for the heads up.
Leo, I know you just share your opinion. But I am very happy with the built in system recovery. I have Acronis True Image 2020, but I use it more so for image clones. I installed Easeus Todo, immediately it began trying to sell me stuff, installed an icon on my desktop and even installed two programs, I immediately took it off, Even uninstalling, a webpage popped up asking me why I was leaving. I will stick with Microsoft. At least I don't get pop ups of them trying to sell me anything. I believe with system recovery and the file history that covers 99% of my needs ( I don't have protection against PC theft unless you count my 9MM with 12 rounds and 3 spare mags) . A RUclipsr gave me an idea 2 years ago and he had his system and programs on one drive, but he had his files on another drive. In case we get the blue screen of death and one cannot recover, I still have my files on another drive. And on that other drive, I installed Freefile sync. I have it setup to another drive using two way synchronization. I installed that into my start up file with 5 second changes it makes two identical copies of the same file. So I can guarantee you that is way better than any incremental backups every night. You know how much work a person can do in one day? To recap, one drive is my system/programs, another external drive is used just for the built-in system recovery, and two separate drives are used for files only. In my dresser, I have another drive with all my files and folders. I have a 2nd external drive created by Acronis True Image and a system image (clone disk). I also have Onedrive to save some other important files. Also, as another member said windows will boot up in a "Startup Repair" mode, and it will ask you for a system image. Macrium Reflect was a good program, but they went to a pay only version. I feel windows 11 works much better with their own system. I don't mind paying for software, but it has to show me its better than the free version of other programs. At the end of the day, we all agree having a backup is what counts. Many years ago I had a PC and it died with all of my files, financial records, family pictures etc and I had NO backup (catastrophic failure). Its been 10 years and I still get chills thinking of that dreaded day. I have had multiple things go wrong, but now I don't worry at all. I have had failures, but none catastrophic, about 6 months ago my hard-drive died, I installed a 2nd drive-cloned system image and I was up and running before my work day started at 9am. I also learned not to experiment with constantly downloading software, I have all the essential software, but all of my software are time proven.I also use use different type drives too (1 Nvme, 3 SSD's and 2 HDD), what is the likelihood they all stop working at once? I am NOT a big fan of backing up "all" my files to the cloud. I am afraid I will have the safe fate I did with Photobucket, where they hijacked my pictures overnight and extorted me for money. Besides prying eyes, I am afraid I am at the mercy of the cloud company raises prices, its not if, but when. Literally lost my online business. Today I tried Acronis for a back up, 2 hours into the job I checked and had 8 hours more. Sorry I don't have 10 hours to give away. The built in system only takes 2 hours. BTW, love all your videos Leo.
If his argument is that it is old and not kept up to date then that is one stupid argument. Don't we still use sockets from 1960? We use old tech everyday that has yet to be changed because it still works. If you need a backup solution that isn't just a simple backup file on another drive then get another program like the ones he mentioned but otherwise it's not only better than nothing but it works.
Windows image is reasonably reliable. But if you are facing disk problems and you need an emergency backup, Linux ddrescue/gddrescue it's a must if things are really really bad with your OS disk. You are wasting your money with Macrium et al, they don't stand a chance in the face of a disk problem. More notably, you're going to damage your disk even more if you insist on performing an emergency backup using these tools.
Leo, 4 questions about EaseUS, that I cannot find in any youtube videos, web searches, or on their web site: 1) Can you mount a backup image as a virtual drive? That would allow you to access the files in the backup image as just another drive letter. The above makes it simple to copy a file (or files) from a backup image. Being able to explore the backup image, the same as any other drive letter, would be very helpful. 2) Can you exclude files from being backed up, based on names or expressions, such as: *.flac 3) Can you exclude directories from being backed up? I have a music directory that I already have copies of in 3 locations. I do not want to waste 300GB of space by allowing EaseUS to copy it again to a backup image. 4) Does its emergency boot media allow you to perform a backup? I would rather backup my computer while Windows is not running (while zero files are in use). Or does that matter? If a full backup, taken while Windows is running, can be used to completely restore my computer after an OS drive failure, then that is fine. But will I have to first install Windows from scratch, in order to make use of EaseUS's software to execute the restore? Or will their emergency boot media be able to restore the full backup image to a new drive, negating the need to first install both Windows as well as installing EaseUS? I would rather boot from emergency boot media, and have it restore my OS onto a freshly formatted drive. So is that doable with a backup image taken while Windows was running? ----- If EaseUS falls short, but Macrium Reflect will do all of the above, I will consider using Macrium Reflect. I got turned off by Macrium Reflect, because when I installed the free version (to see if I liked it), it nagged and nagged and nagged me to purchase an upgrade. There was no option, within their software, to stop their nagging, which was pop-ups every day. When a company does that, it concerns me about their trustworthiness. Will their software be "phoning home"? Their data collection, etc. It is akin to web sites with "in your face" advertisements that should not be trusted. Perhaps Macrium Reflect is trustworthy, with their paid version? I don't know. All I have to go by is their "can't turn off nagging". So I would rather not roll the dice, if EaseUS checks all of the right boxes. But right now, I am unsure if either EaseUS or Macrium Reflect checks all of the right boxes. Acronis True Image used to check all of the right boxes, but no more (that is another saga). Even if you do not have answers to all 4 of my questions, maybe you can answer 1, 2, or 3 of them. That will get me closer to making a purchasing decision. Thank you.
1) Yup. 2) Depends on the backup type. An image backup is, by definition, everything. If you do a "files and folders" style backup you can select or not whatever you like. 3) See #2 4) Yup. (Though it does not matter. You can restore an image take while Windows is running and it works just fine.) Emergency boot media can restore an image to a completely empty hard drive. Macrium also does all of the above. I personally prefer Macrium, but they're both good. Macrium no longer has a free edition (though it sounds like you were running their trial, not the actual free edition).
@@askleonotenboom Regarding #2: Acronis' True Image allows you to exclude files from full, incremental, and differential backups. I am disappointed that EaseUS forces every type of backup to include all files. Are you certain? "Files and Folders" is of little help in recovering your registry or a failed OS drive. I am interested only in backups that can be used for such recoveries. "Macrium also does all of the above." As it pertains to #2: By that, do you mean that Macrium is functionally the same as EaseUS? Or do you mean that Macrium satisfies what I am seeking for #2 By the way, the nagging Reflect version that I demoed was: 8.0.7175
@@NoEgg4u To the best of my knowledge Macrium also doesn't allow you to exclude files from Image backups. I could be wrong, but I've never seen the option.
please make one video if i have usb bootable pendrive i have use BR Automation pc if have damaged pc so how to i use gigabyte ddr3 motherboard this pen drive need to run
Can confirm Windows11 system image restore will leave your PC partially unusable. After MS stuffed up my mailbox pst files after a recent update and would not let me aggregate my accounts into a single pst file, after trying to solve it for 10 hours I decided the easiest would be to restore the entire OS to a **system image** of the C drive taken not two weeks ago. All appeared to go well and the PC was mostly working after the *successful* restore... BUT: interestingly Chrome, Vivaldi, Avase secure browser and signal would no longer run and *no errors* in the error log. uninstalling and reinstalling those did not work, had to do file level and registry cleans and custom install downloads of full software. Absolutely BIZARRE behaviour post a 'system image' restore!! Makes you wonder what sort of point-in-time checking MS is doing in real time to prevent programs that were running perfectly two weeks ago at the image time from running after the restore!
i just tried a Win 10 system image backup and the resulting folder turned up empty! it spent 15 minutes backing it up tho, so it's pretty funny and weird
Windows 11 is telling me, in three days, it's going to "finish up setting up my PC", and copy my files into some storage device external to my PC. I don't want to use ANY back up anything, and do not want anything of mine, picture document, or anything else, stored on or in "the cloud". If someone wants to access my photos, etc. they can sneak in to my PC and get them. I'm not voluntarily putting my files anywhere outside of my PC. I am so F'n pissed off about this, I could spit! I don't want automatic updates. I don't want automatic sync. I want to be left alone. Windows 11 is the most intrusive, "big brother" operating system to date, and I hate it! I can no longer run "GWBASIC", a language I program in as a hobby. All this Back up talk. BACK UP THIS!!!!!
Thanks for video. My preference is, "Get to the point," stop the blah blah blah on why not use Windows backup. Found myself flicking on to get to the point.,
@@askleonotenboom .. Leo is more boom than expert. I use it daily and it has saved my *** more than a few times. Just because MS doesn't want you to use it, that's very lame. Remember Leo just wants views. The advice is suspect.
@@askleonotenboom Well when i checked out the website i seen one for a trial version and then after that it ask for money. Then again i may have clicked the wrong link too. Thank you for providing the right one.
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
From my experience windows backup was always a disaster. Never relied on it and never would recommend to clients and staff I have managed. For such a proprietary company that Microsoft is and the service per cost offered it's a shame they never created a better solution for their users. Even Mac has time machine backup which is much more reliable and the linux ones are a hundred times more reliable than any windows backup variant.
Disagree. There are many free programs. EaseUS Todo Free is, indeed, completely free. (Well, the cost might be upsells, but there's no need to pay anything, ever.)
Windows stopped supporting it because it is one of the few programs that they created that actually works. I don't need to worry about what version of some 3rd party program was used to create the backup. I manage 30 computers and all are backed up using the windows image for FREE!. Here's saying a man of your years has heard before... If it's not broke don't fix it. The fact that you think it is inflexible just says how little you actually know about windows management. But I am sure you sold some product to those who are computer incompetent. I just can't stand people like you that trash things due to your opinion. You said Microsoft said that you "PROBABLY SHOULDN'T" use it not don't use it. (otherwise nobody will pay them to backup on onedrive) If Ford stops supporting my truck I am not going to get a new truck if my truck runs fine. Microsoft also doesn't support robocopy anymore .... because it works there is nothing to support. Just to support my claim of using this as an admin for over 20 years. we were hit with ransomware a few years ago and I was able to restore ever computer and server back to the night before it happened. not bad for an unsupported program.
I have been using windows 7 image and it has saved my butt several times. I try to do a image at least once a month. I've had to use two times once because of bad drive and another for corrupted system. I was fortunate each time that I image to restore from even though it was a month old. I lost a few newer files but I still had most of system. True it doesn't have incremental of differential and you must remind your self make an image. But again it worked for me.
The reason MS stop supporting it is because they want you to pay and use the one drive. Period. The built-in Win7 image backup is there and is working fine in Win10 and Win11. It is doing it's job well. Unless you are looking for an incremental backup solution, I don't see a point of not using it. I'm not gonna invest on other solution for Win10/Win11 backup. (i.e. When the next Windows comes up, if the current win7 backup stops working, there is a big chance that the third party software may not work as well) MS says they will remove it from future Windows. Fine, then I will deal with it with another solution at that moment. But not now.
I used to love Win 7 Backup... until it did not work. It is super finicky about recognizing system images. And God forbid you disconnect a drive or move it to a different SATA port, it may not ever see it again. This is why I now use third party.
@@jallen418 what software do you use for image backup? Can you schedule it to do it once a month on auto?
Yep. I came to this realization immediately upon using Windows 11 on a new pc. I’m sitting there looking at the situation and I’m like “Yeah they’re just trying to bully me into paying for Onedrive.”
@@jallen418 Never NEVER had a problem using MS system Image with Windows 10. NEVER. Able to create a backup placed both on the internal hard drive AND an external drive. NEVER NOT ONCE HAD A PROBLEM.
@@ThomasFromTN I tried to put two backups on same partition and had changed the name of the folder and the new folder with changed name couldn't be seen when I needed to do a restore.
Windows system image just saved my PC today.
Still saving my PCs &me, I've lost count how many times it has dug me out of the pit of despair of catastrophic failure, even used it on occasion by mounting the system image to restore files I have lost, I did all this so often even wrote my own GUI interface to make life easier.
I needed to use it and had 2 copies. The first one didn't work but the second worked. I realized months later I think if you change the name of the folder created, it can't see it / recognize it. The 2nd copy was on a different partition and hadn't changed the name of the folder and it worked.
Stop lying
Microsoft doesn't want to you to use Windows 7 Image backup because they don't want to continue supporting it (troubleshooting for newer users because if you're not familiar with it, it can be a little tricky especially when restore is necessary) but it is the easiest and most reliable backup for Windows OS thus far. I have always used it and it has never let me down. Simplest product to use, it is built in and continues to be because those who know, like me, request that MS keeps it in their Windows arsenal. That said, there's nothing wrong with keeping more than one type of image backup for instance Macrium Reflect. Redundancy is also a valid tool when it comes to protecting your valuable operating system.
I still rely on System Image Backup and have successfully restored it many times. However, it's not surprising that Microsoft will once again remove a useful feature and replace it with some bullsh1t, or not replace it at all.
This is exactly right. When Microsoft tells you to do something, do the opposite. Because they never have your best interest in mind, but their own.
Ok.. sorry, this is strange advice on multiple levels.
1. Neither File History nor OneDrive backup system files and more importantly, the registry, which means if you have a catastrophic failure and need to rebuild your system from scratch, yer screwed. You'll have to reinstall every piece of software from scratch (if you even remember what you had) and then reconfigure everything. If your software has install restricted licenses (ie: you can only install them a given number of times) you'll have to go to the software maker (if they still exist) and beg them to roll back the count since you didn't get a chance to unregister the software.
2. OneDrive is online. That's fine for light weight use, but unless you really don't store a lot of stuff, you'll blow out your quota. My system, for example has 1TB on the boot disk. Free OneDrive is 5GB. US@20/yr is 100GB. I'd need the US$70/yr plan to get 1TB... or just buy a 1TB drive which are around US$60. Oh and do you realise how LONG it takes to upload a terabyte???
3. If your internet is down, forget restoring anything.
4. Data security. If you upload your files, Microsoft (or any host company) is obligated to give access to governmental agencies without a warrant issued to you or informing you (at least in the US, YMMV in other countries). And hosting services like Google may not vanish, but they DO change their rates and services. Google recently retired a service that had everyone scrambling to download their files before it was shuttered. Leaving your files in someone else's hands if lazy and dangerous.
The fact that Microsoft hasn't updated the built in imager is simple: there's nothing to update. It's a VERY simple utility that does exactly one thing: make a copy of your boot hard drive to a disk image and restore that image to a drive.
There are lots of other choices, but remember: Imager was designed to solve exactly one problem: making a recovery image of your system. It's not meant for ongoing or delta backups. It can be used for that, but yes, there are better options (sort of - my complaint with those options is that they want to integrate deeply with the system and do many other unrelated things when I just want a backup).
But Imager is free and included in every system, and everyone should image their system at least once and keep that somewhere safe for emergencies. That's far better than NO backup.
Microsoft has said themselves that the built-in image backup tool is no longer supported and that we should start using a third party tool. Yes, it's better than nothing at all, but with many good, free, alternatives, AND with Microsoft saying "stop using it", there's just no reason to keep using it at all.
It doesn't work anymore. He's saying to find an alternative.
@@askleonotenboom They say they don't support it because most newer users don't have the computer savvy to use it properly and Windows support doesn't want to give troubleshooting support for it anymore but those of us who grew up with Windows do know how to use it and love it.
@@jasperburchfield2028 it does still work. I use it regularly, for example when swapping my system onto a larger hard drive, to create system backups that can be used to restore my system if it crashes. I have friends and some of my smaller businesses doing daily system backups, and have on occasions got customers up and running on new hardware painlessly and with no loss of data or software or settings when they have had hardware issues.
I like your reply. I wasn't sure about that Windows7 tool, but now I am creating a system image, just in case. I recently had to reinstall the whole thing from the manufacturer's recovery file. It was a good purging exercise, not to install what I didn't really need, but since it is now like brand new I better have this back-up image, just in case. All other files are already backed up on two different places.
Thank you Leo.
I am interested in any and all things Microsoft & tech.
I am stating tomorrow a training course for IT tech support. I want to be able to take my CompTIA A+ in
2 months (I am a kind of a nube to tech).
I work as a janitor now but want to get into IT in a big way.
I am turning 52 tomorrow - so the journey starts!!!
When your hard drive crashes, Windows will boot up in a "Startup Repair" mode, and it will ask you for a system image. This system image should be created by Windows backup. I don't know if a 3rd party tool can create system images that are compatible with Windows repair mode. They probably don't, because they're probably using a different format that supports incremental backups or other new features. So, do you want to risk it when it comes time to restore your system image and find out Windows can't read it?
Good third-party backup programs don't require the Windows "Startup Repair" mode.
They have a recovery tool that allows you to restore the whole image right to the bare metal and even allows you to adjust the Master Boot Record (or its more modern equivalents) in case you've got Windows on some drive other than C:
Hey, Leo! Was using Windows system backup (before I knew better!) and, after over 10 hours it was stuck at 97% and didn't progress. I came on to RUclips and found your comments. So glad I did. I reformatted the 2TB external hard drive, found and downloaded 'EaseUs ToDo Backup' that you suggested, and it seems to be working just fine, with progress readouts and time remaining. Even though it will take 8 hours (apparently!), it looks as though it's progressing as intended. So, Thanks!
You are absolutely right about Windows Built-in Image Backup tool!
In addition to the image folder about 92 GB, it also created a file about 38 GB in System Volume Information, which was not easy to clean up.
Ask Leo .... I just need a bootable backup that will hold my operating system files from a single point in time. My data files are on a separate hard drive. Upon total C drive failure, I would just put in the replacement drive, start the computer up, and do my work.
Just bought a new win 11 laptop, want to take an image, remove bloatware & make a local account. So far your videos have been the most helpful, so have a subscribe & many thanks Leo!
Great video! Thank you for providing alternatives.
Personally, I would probably use a different cloud service for off-site backups. Especially if I'm looking for something that would backup system files, etc.
Been using windows system image to backup and restore for several years. Its reliable but not very easy to master. It restores the whole system with applications intact fully, as backed up.
When you understand how to use it properly, it just does the job without the heavy cost of a paid for application.😅
I still use Windows backup and it works brilliantly for win10 and 11. I must admit that for Windows 7 the backup was touch and go very unpredictable. The irony is that it did not work well for win7 but I've been using it for years successfully many times for 10 and 11.
I just want to incrementally back up 3 folders I have on my computer to my DAS during the day. What do you see as a problem with using Widows just for that? Newbie to backups here.
Well, you wouldn't use the built-in image backup tool, which is what this video is all about. So ultimately it depends on what tools you would choose to use to make it happen.
Always good and interesting videos! Thanks.
I have one question related to this video: as I am using OneDrive and always have all my stuff in the cloud (and on my PC for most files), would there still be a need to make a backup (on external drive)?
YES. Consider if your OneDrive account gets hacked, and all your files are deleted ... everywhere. There are other scenarios just as dangerous. Basically OneDrive is one place, and if your data is in only one place, it's not backed up.
thanks!@@askleonotenboom
@@askleonotenboom you should always have a redundant backup solution of some kind. That said, if you are using two factor authentication and have all your ducks in a row with your account security you will be able to get your account access back and restore from one drive to a point before the hack.
I like the built in Windows version, works like a charm as long as you don't rename or relocate the backup file. The worst backup failure I had was actually with a 3rd party (Acronis) software. The problem is, when you have a really bad crash where it wont boot up and you are working with a recovery drive, you cant get to windows to enable the 3rd party software. Microsoft has been threatened to remove it since version 10, but I read lots of people still use it and complained so that's why it's still in Windows 11. They also got rid of thumbnail folder views in Win 11 and then brought it back so who knows.
You can make bootable USB drive with Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect (and probably for other backup softwares as well) for this purposes.
This is why Acornis is so useful! They give you a bootable CD recovery disk, which has the complete recovery program on it. Windows does not have to be present to do a restore.
Absolutely correct.
@@edgarkoterle Making a bootable usb in windows is called making a 'Windows Recovery Media' & that is easy to do
Its because you didn't know how to use Acronis. I used it for years on several computer and it worked perfectly. You are supposed to use a USB or a CD-rom and tell your BIOS to boot from there. Then it works as intended. Its both fast and reliable.
MS backup has saved me many times. All new PC do not come with resgore discs, and some are not even coming with restore partitions. I insatll windows and all updates. I then back it up and create the recovery USB. When needed, i simply restore the OS to how it was, re-update and back it up again. Im not sure whats not to like with this as long as your needs are simple,
I'm 100% in favor of doing what you do ... except I would recommend using a different tool. As mentioned in the video (and its companion article) Microsoft has said we should start using a different tool.
Thank you, Leo! I tested and started using Todo Backup for a client. It's all your fault. Also, I subscribed to your newsletter.
Since I have VMs on my machine I believe that I need an HD image backup (not a file or windows backup) to protect against HD failure (the HD is 9 y o). It would be a massive amount of work to recover my VM from scratch. Do thee tools you suggested do image backup? What do you suggest for my situation?
Leo,
I am moving from an older PC with Windows 11 to a newer PC with Windows 11. This is my personal computer for home use. Won’t the windows 7 image work for moving to to the new PC. Thx.
That's not really what backups are for: askleo.com/restoring-an-image-backup-from-one-computer-to-another/
In Windows 10, when I open Backup and Restore (Windows 7), there are 3 backup choices, Create a system image, Create a system repair disc, and Set up backup. Just want to confirm that you are referring to Create a system image. BTW, I just discovered your channel and its great!
I don’t know why he’s advocating this the win 7 tool is the best barebones tool out there, and it’s included (free) in the OS. I mainly use that as a system admin for all my clients. I use 3rd party soft for this less than 5% of the time and it’s usually because of file system corruption or something extraordinary.
I don't understand. You go to great lengths to discourage use of the Windows 7 System Image capability but never once in your video did I hear you say it doesn't work. Yes, I understand that it is bare bones on features. But, does it work or doesn't it? Can it create a perfect image of my computer? Can it successfully restore that image perfectly? That's all that matters. Please advise. Thank you, Jim.
Obviously you will be taking chances on win 10 and 11 with a program that belonged to win 7 technology which also has been discontinued.
I use it every week on a schedule on both Win10 & 11even wrote my own GUI interface(autoit) to make life easier, no cmd needed. I have used it on multiple occasions to not only restore the system disk after catastrophic failure but I also mount these backup images so as to restore files I may have lost or accidentally changed in an undesirable way. It works period. The only short coming is attempting to move an image from an old PC to a new PC with different hardware & firmware, it wasn't designed for that!.
Dont use 1 drive, or any cloud system to store your data. The systems admin of the cloud service can look at your data, can release your data to anyone law authority with a warrant to gain access to it.
Not all of them. Use SpiderOak 100% protected and encrypted of your data
I think this was a very good argumentation, many thanks!!!
I’m not sure about windows 10, but Windows 11 now has a “Windows Backup” app, which guides you through backing up documents and settings to the cloud, and it does kinda backup applications as well, but from what I can tell, unlike what I previously thought, it only “backs up” ones from the Microsoft Store, and even then, it isn’t really backing them up, it just saves a list of what you have installed, and when you restore the backup (which can be done automatically when setting up a new Windows 11 device), it puts placeholder links in the start menu (and it will automatically download the app when you click on the placeholder)
I just hope Microsoft doesn’t try to do anything sneaky (such as making it harder to use third party software)
Thanks for this info. I tried using the Windows image backup a couple of months ago and got an error message. I've been looking for a replacement for Acronis True Image, which has gotten to be unusable in recent years. I will look into Macrium or the other one.
Can someone help me? Ive already done a system image backup to my external ssd and i want to delete it. Can I just shift+delete the windows image backup? Or is there a more proper and probably safer way?
The good stuff continues. Thanks Leo! JimE
I still have many uses for that backup - I will only stop using it if MS does rip it out of win 12 etc - for one its handy to make your own version of an OEM system image restore if everything goes to pot. But this time without the bloat and can be from a clean install image with your own tweaks.
Microsoft want to remove already 2 or 3 years ago, but it was not removed and it still works well. It also was updated in the last time, cause a year or so it stopped working and microsoft fixed it to work again. So there was an update to it and it seems that microsoft still works on it.
I myself use mostly acronis true image WD edition that is free with hardware from western digital. I also use aomei backupper pro that works like charm, but actually slow on windows 11.
I mostly make backups with different programms, so that I have one more, when one don't work.
I also tried the image backup program from windows within windows 11 a week ago and did a restore of the first system drive for a test and worked absolutly finde. And I can put the different hardrives that are in the image without any problems in my system, so that I can use them as a normal harddrive to look for backupped files. Works like charm.
Yes microsoft wanted to remove it years ago, but the don't and many use this, cause it is in the system. And in my case it always worked fast and well without any problemes at all. Right now I use it as third backup system for my computer. Fallback backup for case that will hopefully never happend.
Does this recommendation also include the wbadmin command line tool?
Yes
I don’t like the idea of installing Windows, then updates, some third-party software that creates backup images, then using that software to backup my image. I’ve already potentially corrupted my image if I do that. There are many reasons but one: I don’t want to get coupled with a proprietary format. But also I think backup should be part of the OS. The Microsoft OS team has intimate knowledge of how things work and access to nearly any API. Now Windows 7 Backup and Restore - I think they finally changed the name on Windows 11 - is buggy a bit but I’ve figured out how to get around those issues. But I install the fewest number of third-party apps I can get away with.
Is this related to WBAdmin at all? I am not afraid of the command line. Will WBAdmin be depreciated as well? It just seems so silly to have to rely on a 3rd party software for something as basic as backups. There seem to be plenty of command like utilities, DISM, xcopy, robocopy. Surely one of those must be able to make a good backup. I use Timeshift and BTRFS on linux, and Time Machine on mac. Get it together Microsoft!
Thank you, Leo, for this fascinating fact-filled video. Why doesn't Microsoft just disable it?
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
@@askleonotenboom Fair and wise comment. Looking forward to your next inciteful outpouring. Thanks for your reply, great to get through to the guy in the know...
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
@@askleonotenboom As bad as arbitrarily declaring perfectly adequate computers that their CPUs are no good for Windows 11? THAT'S BAD PR. Another great video, Leo. Thanks.
Cause then it becomes to obvious that they want you to use Onedrive, cloud technology and all that kind of crap.
Whenever I use or try to use Window 11 "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" to "Create a system image", I get the following pop-up message:
====
The backup failed.
There is not enough disk space to create the volume shadow copy on the storage location. Make sure that, for all volumes to be backup up, the minimum required disk space for shadow copy creation is available. This applies to both the backup storage destination and volumes included in the backup. Minimum requirement: For volumes less than 500 Mb, the minimum is 320 Mb of free space. Recommended: At least 1 Gb of free disk space on each volume if volume size is more than 1 Gb (0x80780119)
=== END ===
And nobody seems to give me a straight answer to ERROR (0x80780119) to fix this issue. It seems Microsoft has a broken "Create a system image" procedure! So what do you recommend? Thank you.
One of the many reasons I say don't use it.
use " mini tools" and extend uief drive to 5 gig. and you can 10000 times backup
I think, I had that issue a while ago, and my solution is was to clean up (or formated) that 512MB hidden partition (for recover... whatever is it), and after that it worked fine. In the last 5 years, just only one time I had a big issue (after that all my backups damaged and unusable), but probably that caused a third party backup software...
Same issue here too.
Have to disagree with you. My PC consists of a 1 TB m.2 drive with a 300Gb partition for the OS and the rest for game storage. What has always been convenient was the ability to restore only the OS partition when needed. Please, don't mention Onedrive.
You should absolutely use it just don't rely on it. It can quickly bring your computer back if there's a problem, but you should also have a third party software as well.
Thank you
When Microsoft remove it, will it be replaced with a more up to date package?
No. They have said we should look for third party solutions.
I couldn't find ESOS on the web. Also, Macrium Reflect has stopped offering the free version.
EaseUS Todo - they're out there.
@@askleonotenboom Right, thanks, I found the web site, though, the only options I can see are ones that you pay for. It does say download for free - but it seems that, to use it, you have to pay, Although, the price is not too steep.
@@askleonotenboom I got on to EaseUS chat and the engineer gave me a link to the free version + a link that specified what was missing from the free version. I shall instal this and see how it goes. Thanks for the heads up.
Leo, I know you just share your opinion. But I am very happy with the built in system recovery. I have Acronis True Image 2020, but I use it more so for image clones. I installed Easeus Todo, immediately it began trying to sell me stuff, installed an icon on my desktop and even installed two programs, I immediately took it off, Even uninstalling, a webpage popped up asking me why I was leaving. I will stick with Microsoft. At least I don't get pop ups of them trying to sell me anything. I believe with system recovery and the file history that covers 99% of my needs ( I don't have protection against PC theft unless you count my 9MM with 12 rounds and 3 spare mags) . A RUclipsr gave me an idea 2 years ago and he had his system and programs on one drive, but he had his files on another drive. In case we get the blue screen of death and one cannot recover, I still have my files on another drive. And on that other drive, I installed Freefile sync. I have it setup to another drive using two way synchronization. I installed that into my start up file with 5 second changes it makes two identical copies of the same file. So I can guarantee you that is way better than any incremental backups every night. You know how much work a person can do in one day? To recap, one drive is my system/programs, another external drive is used just for the built-in system recovery, and two separate drives are used for files only. In my dresser, I have another drive with all my files and folders. I have a 2nd external drive created by Acronis True Image and a system image (clone disk). I also have Onedrive to save some other important files. Also, as another member said windows will boot up in a "Startup Repair" mode, and it will ask you for a system image. Macrium Reflect was a good program, but they went to a pay only version. I feel windows 11 works much better with their own system. I don't mind paying for software, but it has to show me its better than the free version of other programs. At the end of the day, we all agree having a backup is what counts. Many years ago I had a PC and it died with all of my files, financial records, family pictures etc and I had NO backup (catastrophic failure). Its been 10 years and I still get chills thinking of that dreaded day. I have had multiple things go wrong, but now I don't worry at all. I have had failures, but none catastrophic, about 6 months ago my hard-drive died, I installed a 2nd drive-cloned system image and I was up and running before my work day started at 9am. I also learned not to experiment with constantly downloading software, I have all the essential software, but all of my software are time proven.I also use use different type drives too (1 Nvme, 3 SSD's and 2 HDD), what is the likelihood they all stop working at once? I am NOT a big fan of backing up "all" my files to the cloud. I am afraid I will have the safe fate I did with Photobucket, where they hijacked my pictures overnight and extorted me for money. Besides prying eyes, I am afraid I am at the mercy of the cloud company raises prices, its not if, but when. Literally lost my online business. Today I tried Acronis for a back up, 2 hours into the job I checked and had 8 hours more. Sorry I don't have 10 hours to give away. The built in system only takes 2 hours. BTW, love all your videos Leo.
How do you disable windows 11 backup?
It's something you have to turn on, so ... don't?
I use msdos backup to backup to azure and it works perfectly
If his argument is that it is old and not kept up to date then that is one stupid argument. Don't we still use sockets from 1960? We use old tech everyday that has yet to be changed because it still works. If you need a backup solution that isn't just a simple backup file on another drive then get another program like the ones he mentioned but otherwise it's not only better than nothing but it works.
Didn't you say to use 7 backups in another video?
I do have a video on HOW to use it, because some people still will.
Windows image is reasonably reliable. But if you are facing disk problems and you need an emergency backup, Linux ddrescue/gddrescue it's a must if things are really really bad with your OS disk. You are wasting your money with Macrium et al, they don't stand a chance in the face of a disk problem. More notably, you're going to damage your disk even more if you insist on performing an emergency backup using these tools.
Thank you for your review, one less image-copy app to look at
Leo, 4 questions about EaseUS, that I cannot find in any youtube videos, web searches, or on their web site:
1)
Can you mount a backup image as a virtual drive?
That would allow you to access the files in the backup image as just another drive letter.
The above makes it simple to copy a file (or files) from a backup image. Being able to explore the backup image, the same as any other drive letter, would be very helpful.
2)
Can you exclude files from being backed up, based on names or expressions, such as:
*.flac
3)
Can you exclude directories from being backed up?
I have a music directory that I already have copies of in 3 locations. I do not want to waste 300GB of space by allowing EaseUS to copy it again to a backup image.
4)
Does its emergency boot media allow you to perform a backup?
I would rather backup my computer while Windows is not running (while zero files are in use). Or does that matter?
If a full backup, taken while Windows is running, can be used to completely restore my computer after an OS drive failure, then that is fine.
But will I have to first install Windows from scratch, in order to make use of EaseUS's software to execute the restore?
Or will their emergency boot media be able to restore the full backup image to a new drive, negating the need to first install both Windows as well as installing EaseUS?
I would rather boot from emergency boot media, and have it restore my OS onto a freshly formatted drive. So is that doable with a backup image taken while Windows was running?
-----
If EaseUS falls short, but Macrium Reflect will do all of the above, I will consider using Macrium Reflect.
I got turned off by Macrium Reflect, because when I installed the free version (to see if I liked it), it nagged and nagged and nagged me to purchase an upgrade. There was no option, within their software, to stop their nagging, which was pop-ups every day.
When a company does that, it concerns me about their trustworthiness. Will their software be "phoning home"? Their data collection, etc. It is akin to web sites with "in your face" advertisements that should not be trusted. Perhaps Macrium Reflect is trustworthy, with their paid version? I don't know. All I have to go by is their "can't turn off nagging". So I would rather not roll the dice, if EaseUS checks all of the right boxes.
But right now, I am unsure if either EaseUS or Macrium Reflect checks all of the right boxes.
Acronis True Image used to check all of the right boxes, but no more (that is another saga).
Even if you do not have answers to all 4 of my questions, maybe you can answer 1, 2, or 3 of them. That will get me closer to making a purchasing decision.
Thank you.
1) Yup.
2) Depends on the backup type. An image backup is, by definition, everything. If you do a "files and folders" style backup you can select or not whatever you like.
3) See #2
4) Yup. (Though it does not matter. You can restore an image take while Windows is running and it works just fine.) Emergency boot media can restore an image to a completely empty hard drive.
Macrium also does all of the above.
I personally prefer Macrium, but they're both good. Macrium no longer has a free edition (though it sounds like you were running their trial, not the actual free edition).
@@askleonotenboom Regarding #2:
Acronis' True Image allows you to exclude files from full, incremental, and differential backups.
I am disappointed that EaseUS forces every type of backup to include all files. Are you certain?
"Files and Folders" is of little help in recovering your registry or a failed OS drive. I am interested only in backups that can be used for such recoveries.
"Macrium also does all of the above."
As it pertains to #2:
By that, do you mean that Macrium is functionally the same as EaseUS? Or do you mean that Macrium satisfies what I am seeking for #2
By the way, the nagging Reflect version that I demoed was: 8.0.7175
@@NoEgg4u To the best of my knowledge Macrium also doesn't allow you to exclude files from Image backups. I could be wrong, but I've never seen the option.
@@askleonotenboom Thank you for your help.
Enjoyed the video leo. Thank you for highlighting the fact that the built-in image software from Microsoft should not really be used for image backups
please make one video if i have usb bootable pendrive i have use BR Automation pc if have damaged pc so how to i use gigabyte ddr3 motherboard this pen drive need to run
I have used it for yrs no problems and restore point works fine
I used to use the Microsoft system image. It was decent. Then I went to aomei back upper and never looked back.
Thank you.
Can confirm Windows11 system image restore will leave your PC partially unusable. After MS stuffed up my mailbox pst files after a recent update and would not let me aggregate my accounts into a single pst file, after trying to solve it for 10 hours I decided the easiest would be to restore the entire OS to a **system image** of the C drive taken not two weeks ago. All appeared to go well and the PC was mostly working after the *successful* restore... BUT: interestingly Chrome, Vivaldi, Avase secure browser and signal would no longer run and *no errors* in the error log. uninstalling and reinstalling those did not work, had to do file level and registry cleans and custom install downloads of full software. Absolutely BIZARRE behaviour post a 'system image' restore!! Makes you wonder what sort of point-in-time checking MS is doing in real time to prevent programs that were running perfectly two weeks ago at the image time from running after the restore!
Microsoft does not want you to use it because it works so well, so they want to get rid of it and make you pay for some other sofware.
i just tried a Win 10 system image backup and the resulting folder turned up empty! it spent 15 minutes backing it up tho, so it's pretty funny and weird
That's what it shows when you check properties but it has all the files. Give permission to open the folder and you will see the files
Windows 11 is telling me, in three days, it's going to "finish up setting up my PC", and copy my files into some storage device external to my PC. I don't want to use ANY back up anything, and do not want anything of mine, picture document, or anything else, stored on or in "the cloud". If someone wants to access my photos, etc. they can sneak in to my PC and get them. I'm not voluntarily putting my files anywhere outside of my PC.
I am so F'n pissed off about this, I could spit! I don't want automatic updates. I don't want automatic sync. I want to be left alone. Windows 11 is the most intrusive, "big brother" operating system to date, and I hate it!
I can no longer run "GWBASIC", a language I program in as a hobby.
All this Back up talk. BACK UP THIS!!!!!
Thanks for video. My preference is, "Get to the point," stop the blah blah blah on why not use Windows backup. Found myself flicking on to get to the point.,
" win 7 backup and restore " is awesome. you can't find any tools better and safer than that..
Needless to say I (and Microsoft) disagree.
@@askleonotenboom .. Leo is more boom than expert. I use it daily and it has saved my *** more than a few times. Just because MS doesn't want you to use it, that's very lame. Remember Leo just wants views. The advice is suspect.
Well EaseUS todo is no longer free.
Yes it is. What leads you to believe otherwise? www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-free.html
@@askleonotenboom Well when i checked out the website i seen one for a trial version and then after that it ask for money. Then again i may have clicked the wrong link too. Thank you for providing the right one.
Hey Leo, you remind me of a young Benny Hill. He was a legend.
And now I'll have this running through my head all day: music.ruclips.net/video/oHB4C8WzTuU/видео.html&si=kAvs7xEvds6eWzYN
File history slows your computer down .
It works perfectly.
The Backup and Restore (Windows 7) in the Windows 10/11 Control Panel hasn't been updated in a long time. I don't know why Microsoft hasn't removed it
I suspect because there are people relying on it who haven't migrated. They should, but pulling someone's backup out from underneath them is ... let's just call it really really bad PR.
Because it is the still best (get it done) backup software available and people that know computers know it.
I cant trust anyone that recommends using one drive.
Use it, and have no problem with it.
From my experience windows backup was always a disaster. Never relied on it and never would recommend to clients and staff I have managed.
For such a proprietary company that Microsoft is and the service per cost offered it's a shame they never created a better solution for their users.
Even Mac has time machine backup which is much more reliable and the linux ones are a hundred times more reliable than any windows backup variant.
I so wish Windows had something like Time Machine.
These so-called free backup solutions are not free.
Disagree. There are many free programs. EaseUS Todo Free is, indeed, completely free. (Well, the cost might be upsells, but there's no need to pay anything, ever.)
MS wants you to use their cloud service$$$$$
4:45
Windows stopped supporting it because it is one of the few programs that they created that actually works. I don't need to worry about what version of some 3rd party program was used to create the backup. I manage 30 computers and all are backed up using the windows image for FREE!. Here's saying a man of your years has heard before... If it's not broke don't fix it. The fact that you think it is inflexible just says how little you actually know about windows management. But I am sure you sold some product to those who are computer incompetent. I just can't stand people like you that trash things due to your opinion. You said Microsoft said that you "PROBABLY SHOULDN'T" use it not don't use it. (otherwise nobody will pay them to backup on onedrive) If Ford stops supporting my truck I am not going to get a new truck if my truck runs fine. Microsoft also doesn't support robocopy anymore .... because it works there is nothing to support. Just to support my claim of using this as an admin for over 20 years. we were hit with ransomware a few years ago and I was able to restore ever computer and server back to the night before it happened. not bad for an unsupported program.
Exactly .. Robocopy rocks. But I bet Leo hates that too ? I don't trust these so called RUclips experts who spit out poor advice.
Learnt the hard way . The windows built in backup system is shit
I have been using windows 7 image and it has saved my butt several times. I try to do a image at least once a month. I've had to use two times once because of bad drive and another for corrupted system. I was fortunate each time that I image to restore from even though it was a month old. I lost a few newer files but I still had most of system. True it doesn't have incremental of differential and you must remind your self make an image. But again it worked for me.
Do you trust EaseUS ? They're.. chinese..
I do.
EaseUS is garbage@@askleonotenboom
@@kurts3779That's not been my experience.
@@kurts3779 Why?