We advise you which software and apps to use
What can I use instead of Macrium Reflect?
QMacrium Reflect is closing at the end of year, so I have two questions. Is it safe to use afterwards? And if not, what should I use instead? I use it regularly to make system images of the three drives in my PC, because their contents are continually changing and I would be devastated to lose anything.
Alan Turk
AMacrium says that it’s only axing support for the free version of Reflect, though the software will continue working “in perpetuity” (to read its policy visit www.snipca.com/48066 and scroll down).
That said, if it’s not being updated with security fixes, you shouldn’t keep using it. This is true of any software.
You could switch to the paid-for edition, called Reflect Home. Macrium is freezing the price of the home edition at $79.99 (about £66), despite raising the prices of its other products on 1 January. Alternatively, try creating system images using built-in tools in Windows 10 and Windows 11 (follow Microsoft’s instructions at www.snipca. com/48011).
But if you want a free program to replace Reflect, download AOMEI Backupper Standard (www.snipca. com/48012). When running the installer, you’ll come across a ‘Better Choice’ pop-up message outlining the benefits of the paid-for Pro edition. If you want to stick with the free version, click Skip. There’s another option to upgrade when you’ve finished; click the ‘x’ at the top to close it. Once it’s running, click Clone in the sidebar ( 1in our screenshot), followed by Disk Clone 2 .
What’s the best free cloning tool?
Q I’ve just refurbished an old computer, and it’s now working with Windows 11 Pro. But I want to move it over to a bigger drive by cloning it to a SATA 3 1TB SSD. Everything I look at requires a purchase of something that I’ll pr
