Difference between revisions 688336998 and 688337709 on enwiki

{{notability|Products|date=May 2012}}

{{Infobox Ssoftware
|name = Macrium Reflect
|developer = Paramount Software UK Ltd
|release = [[2006]]
|latest_release_version = 6.0.753
|latest_release_date = {{release date and age|2015|07|21}} 
|operating_system = [[Windows XP]] and later<br/>[[Windows Server 2003]] and later
|platform=[[IA-32]], [[x64]]
|genre = [[Backup software]]
|license = [[Freemium]]<ref name="free version">{{cite web|title=Macrium Reflect Free|url=http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx|website=macrium.com|publisher=Paramount Software UK|accessdate=31 October 2015}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|macrium.com}}
}}

'''Macrium Reflect''' is a [[backup]] and [[disk imaging]] software program for [[Microsoft Windows]] developed by Paramount Software UK Ltd in 2006. It creates [[disk images]] and file backup archives using Microsoft [[Volume Shadow Copy Service]] to ensure 'point in time' data accuracy.

{{As of|2012|October}}, the latest version supports [[Windows XP]] and later. The application has a [[VBScript]] generator that uses [[Windows Script Host]] WSH to enable system administrators to handle complex backup scenarios. Backup definitions can be saved as [[XML]] files for simple editing and re-running. Macrium Reflect also offers rescue discs based on [[Windows Preinstallation Environment]] 5.0, and [[Linux]].

==Disk imagingFeatures==
Macrium Reflect can create [[full backup]], [[incremental backup|incremental]] and [[differential backup]] images to optimize speed and storage requirements. Data is compressed and encrypted in real time using [[Abraham Lempel]] LZ 's [[LZ77 and LZ78|LZ-based compression]] and [[AES encryption]] algorithms. Images can be [[mount (computing)|mounted]] as a drive letter in [[Windows Explorer]] and restored using a custom [[Live CD]].⏎
⏎
==File backup==⏎
  Macrium Reflect can also back up files and folders into a compressed [[RAM drive|virtual drive]]. This can be [[mount (computing)|mounted]] as a drive lettermounted in [[Windows Explorer]] for file recovery using copy and paste. Compressed or uncompressed full, [[incremental backup|incremental]], and [[differential backup]] files are supported.

==Disk cloning==⏎
Macrium Reflect can [[Disk cloning|clone one disk onto another]]; a. A disk large enough to accommodate all the data can be made into an exact copy of the original. The underlying disk signatures and data structures are consistent on the new disk.⏎
⏎
⏎
⏎
 Macrium Reflect Professional and Server editions can restore an image to new hardware, for use for example in the case of replacement of failed equipment by more up-to-date hardware. Using a pre-created Macrium Reflect Rescue CD, critical drivers required by the new system can be inserted into the image taken from the old system, making it compatible with the new hardware.


===System recovery===
The Windows [[Ssystem partition]] cannot be restored with any recovery software while Windows is running; the PC has to be started with a [[Live CD]] or other boot medium with its own operating system. There are several wayMacrium Reflect offers two do this.

1. Aoptions:
# Using a customized [[Linux kernel]]]] that can be used to load the restore software and recoverwrite the Windows [[system partition]] with the imaged version.  The [[Linux kernel]] is booted from CD/DVD and completely loaded into main memory. This enables any partition on local hard disks to be freely accessed for update. This is the option used by [[Acronis True Image]] Home and others.

2. [[Microsoft]] provides a proprietary cut-down version of Windows for a live CD, requiring licensing, called [[Windows Preinstallation Environment]] (PE). This option is used by the current version of [[Norton Ghost]].

3. Microsoft also provide a downloadable a 1.7GB free-of-charge tool called the [[Windows Automated Installation Kit]] (WAIK). The  WAIK has a much richer set of preinstalled drivers than Windows PE, simplifying creation of the rescue disk.  Macrium Reflect uses the WAIK to create a Rescue CD

Macrium Reflect v5 offers Linux and Windows PE as standard.

==Redeploy to new hardware==
Macrium Reflect Professional and Server editions can restore an image to new hardware, for use for example in the case of replacement of failed equipment by more up-to-date hardware. Using a pre-created Macrium Reflect Rescue CD, critical drivers required by the new system can be inserted into the image taken from the old system, making it compatible with the new hardware.

==Free edition==
An unsupported [http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx free edition] is available for non-commercial use, lacking some features of full versions including incremental backup, restore to different hardware, file and directory backup, dynamic disk support, and server support. The [http://blog.macrium.com/2015/06/23/its-finally-here-macrium-reflect-v6-free/ Version 6 free edition (Feb, 2015)] now supports "differential images.". Linux is booted from CD/DVD and completely loaded into main memory. This enables any partition on local hard disks to be freely accessed for update.
# [[Microsoft]] provides a specialized version of Windows for a live CD called [[Windows Preinstallation Environment]] (PE).

==Free edition==
An unsupported free edition is available for non-commercial use, lacking some features of full versions including incremental backup, restore to different hardware, file and directory backup, dynamic disk support, and server support.<ref name="free version" />

==See also==
*[[List of backup software]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Creating+a+backup+image+of+your+computer,+drive+or+partitions How to create a disk image with Macrium Reflect]
*[http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Restoring+and+browsing How to restore a backup image]
*[http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk How To clone a disk]
*[http://www.tucows.com/article/1809 Review of Macrium Reflect by Dr FileFinder]
*[http://disk-imaging-software-review.toptenreviews.com/macrium-reflect-review.html Review of Macrium Reflect by TopTenReviews]

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

[[Category:SharWindows-only shareware]]
[[Category:Windows-only freeware]]
[[Category:Disk cloning]]
[[Category:Backup software]]