We all have to deal with a system disaster at some point in our lives. It is almost inevitable. It is possible for your hard drive to fail or your system to not boot up. There is a high likelihood that your data will be lost in any of these situations. A disk image makes it easier and more likely to recover data. We don’t all have the ability to afford expensive disk imaging software like Acronis Backup or Restore. Does this mean we can’t do anything without these devices? Are there cheaper alternatives to this expensive software available? Yes, there are, and they’re free.
There are many free apps that can clone your hard disk and protect you against the stress and depression that comes with losing valuable data. Some apps are more extensive than others. Some apps create an entire ISO file of your running system, while others simply copy your data. Some functions are only compatible with Windows devices, while others can be used on all platforms. When choosing a cloning program, it is important to choose the one that meets your needs and capabilities.
Let’s get to the free and reliable cloning software!
1. Clonezilla
This is the best free tool for cloning. It uses a unique cloning process similar to the bootable Linux distribution, which can copy data by bits. It also supports many file systems. Clonezilla has multicast support built-in and unattended mode. It can be described as the best free disk cloning software on the market. Clonezilla SE edition can clone up 40 machines simultaneously. This tool is ideal for individuals who need to quickly clone multiple computers. The interface may be a little confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be fine.
2. Macrium Reflect Free Edition
Macrium Reflect Free Edition is the best disk cloning software on the market. It is also said to be the fastest. It is only compatible with Windows 7 or Vista. It does a great job and is very easy to use. It has a simple interface and does a great job of disk imaging and cloning. This program allows you to quickly access your images via the file manager and create Linux rescue CDs.
3. Runtime Live CD
Runtime Live CD allows users to boot their desktops to a full-blown Linux distribution. Here they can explore many other tools to backup data and clone drives. This program can boot most desktops, even Knoppix-based ones. Runtime Live CD provides access to DiskExplorer and NAS Data Recover as well as GetDataBack Pro, Captain Nemo Pro. DriveImage XML, RAID recovery for Windows, Disk Digger and other recovery tools. Runtime Live CD includes everything you need for a successful backup or cloning. Important: You must burn the Runtime Live CD onto a bootable USB drive, then restart the computer you wish to clone.
4. Paragon Backup and Recovery is Free
This tool is for Windows machines that can be used as a stand-alone. It does a great job of scheduling imaging. There are two versions: a free and a paid one. The free version is identical to the pro one. The only difference is that the free tool is only for personal use. To fully appreciate its capabilities, you should try it. If you like the free version, you can upgrade to the pro version. Businesses can also explore the server version. Paragon is one the few recovery and backup software titles to carry Windows 8.
5. DriveImage XML
DriveImage XML, a free and reliable disk cloning program, is a great option. It uses Microsoft VSS to create an image. This is a great tool, especially when you consider that it’s a free one. Users can create ‘hot images’ from an existing disk. Your images will be saved in XML files so that you can access them from any other software that supports them. This tool can restore images to a computer without the need for a reboot. DriveImage XML is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 7. Windows Server 2003 also supports it.
Conclusion
This list contains the most trusted and free backup options that you can use to clone your disks. The interface and how you use them are important.
