free disk cloning software

NowRetired

What would be the best free software so that I can make a clone of my hard disk to transfer it to another disk when the original fails?


I was using image restore supplied with windows but it failed for some reason.


I did make the backup image after my computer kept freezing possibly because the hard disk was starting to get bad that is probably why the backup would not restore


However I am now doing a nice clean clutter free installation on my new larger hard disk.


I thought I would clone this fresh install after I have downloaded all the drivers and updates and keep it for the next time I have a hard disk failure.


So what is free and suitable?

pogofish

Macrium Reflect is the one that does good for me, or if you are using a Seagate Disc, the free software from Seagate is basic but very effective - its also particularly good with bad sectors on your source disc and that may be the cause of your freezing.

bluesnake

Second vote for Macrium Reflect, but you have to make the bootable restore disk.

Clonezilla, is free, bootable but can be quite technical. Drive Image XML is good, but not always easy to get stuff back.

Redo Backup is about the simplest out there

Which ever method you use, check that you are able to restore, and that the backup works, before the disk goes bad.

henm2

clonezilla works fine for me

Gillor

+1 for Redo Backup - simple and easy to use.

See here for a video tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYWXVwOLooU

NowRetired

I found an old IDE hard drive, used Seagate Wizard to clone it, even although the capacity was less than the disk being cloned, now I have a backup.


Luckily I have an old computer that has IDE and SATA controllers.


Total cost £0