Best Imaging Software Suggestions

[Mustang]

@tseax With ATI 2013 I presume you mean no issues with W8?

I must admit my use of Acronis has been minimalistic. I do whole partition images and restore; and mount images to retrieve data. And occasionally clone an existing OS to a new HD.

However, I don't use cloud storage or images that are continually upgraded from the active GUI, because the updates would introduce into the image any errors that have occurred in the OS since the original image was made. I keep the original image as a virgin installation that I know is pristine with no errors. I upgrade periodically every few months by restoring the original image, updating all security and other apps/programs, then burn a new image. After about 12 months I do a new virgin installation of Windows and start the process again.

Cheers M

 

[topgundcp]

I've used Acronis True Image for years and am glad of it. Before that, Norton Ghost (those were the days). The build of ATI 2013 I'm using presently (with no issues) is 5551. It appears to be the latest at this moment.

Well, me too, I have used it for 6,7 years until recently I have problem with Acronis Shell Extension so I uninstalled it then found out that Acronis "takeover" of storage device control in the registry and caused conflict and for a while I had all kind of warnings with storage related in the event log, leftover driver files that are not removed and continue to boot and run (fltsrv.sys and snapman.sys). This is not good at all and if you read this: Leftover Drivers? | Knowledge Base then it makes you think a little bit. Fortunately, I had a backup image prior to installing Acronis and once I restored, there's no more warning and all the event logs are now only contain information.

 

[tseax]

@tseax With ATI 2013 I presume you mean no issues with W8?

...
Cheers M

Correct. I'm trying to stay in context (eightforums)

Well, me too, I have used it for 6,7 years until recently I have problem with Acronis Shell Extension so I uninstalled it then found out that Acronis "takeover" of storage device control in the registry and caused conflict and for a while I had all kind of warnings with storage related in the event log, leftover driver files that are not removed and continue to boot and run (fltsrv.sys and snapman.sys). This is not good at all and if you read this: Leftover Drivers? | Knowledge Base then it makes you think a little bit. Fortunately, I had a backup image prior to installing Acronis and once I restored, there's no more warning and all the event logs are now only contain information.

It's great when other people have the "issues" for a change. I mean, I get plenty of 'em. Often strange and unheard of. Fortunately, not yet with ATI. But as you say topgundcp, makes you wonder. Makes you wonder if you shouldn't just build an ATI recovery disk and use that exclusively - keep your system free of Acronis drivers/filters. That would work fine as a DIY backup solution vs. the automated one.

I found another Acronis KB article from last August that covers the last 3 major builds and reiterates what's been said here:
34876: Acronis True Image Home 2011, 2012 and True Image 2013 by Acronis: Cleanup Utility

Never tried the cleanup utility myself. Not yet.

 

[MiKito]

I am using EaseUS TODO Backup Free. It works well for me . :thumb: Free backup software for home users - EaseUS Todo Backup

 

[Chalres13]

I am using EaseUS TODO Backup Free. It works well for me . :thumb: Free backup software for home users - EaseUS Todo Backup

I have used it several years, good backup program.

 

[edee]

I use Acronis True Image 2013. a happy camper with that one.

I also love Acronis but Acronis True Image 2013 does not work with 8 or 8.1 ...... so I have been told, they say that I would have to upgrade to Acronis 2014 for 8.1 compatibility, I have it installed on 7 but am a little reluctant to install it on 8.1 until I get better confirmation that it does indeed work on 8.1, until them I am using Ocster Backup Pro on 8.1.