What program to create backup of dual boot setup

Melita-s · 08. Feb 2019, 07:41 PM

What backup program can you recommended to create a backup of Windows and Linux dual boot set up. This is so that the complete dual boot set up can be restored to a former state.

Remah · 08. Feb 2019, 11:01 PM

Any disk imaging program should be able to create an image of the physical HDD/SSD which will include all the partitions and the boot setup.

Melita-s · 11. Feb 2019, 07:03 PM

Here are two opinions I have come across on the subject.

1. Depending on the program I use I may not be able to mount and browse the linux partition, although I am able to restore it.

So I am looking for an answer from some one who has done this and who can tell me, using which backup program will enable me to mount and browse both partitions as well as restore the complete setup when I need to.

2. It is preferable to perform backup using a boot media since a backup software running under windows may not see the linux partitions and do sector by sector backups of linux partitions which will be slow and backup file will be large. A live boot media based on linux is better since it will see both windows and linux partitions.

Here also I am looking for opinions about this and what programs are suitable. I don't understand how to do this.

Remah · 12. Feb 2019, 02:58 AM

Have you tried the products in Best Free Drive Cloning Software?

I've never had any need to have that much control on multi-boot systems. Macrium Reflect has been sufficient for me on those but it doesn't, AFAIK, allow the mounting of Ext partitions for restore of individual files.

danielson · 17. Feb 2019, 02:55 PM

Dropbox solves my little worries about accessing files via Linux or Windows.

danielson · 18. Feb 2019, 06:12 PM

For what it's worth...

The way i dual boot:
1. install and run EasyBCD;
2. shrink Windows partition to make room for Linux distro.
3. install Linux distro on that extra partition.
4. if Linux distro displeases me, i go back to EasyBCD in Windows to write MBR and then delete its partition.

Usually this works well with most Linux distros.

Thus, no need to backup Windows.

08. Feb 2019, 07:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Melita-s Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 632	What program to create backup of dual boot setup What backup program can you recommended to create a backup of Windows and Linux dual boot set up. This is so that the complete dual boot set up can be restored to a former state. __________________ Melita

08. Feb 2019, 11:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Remah Editor Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,730	Any disk imaging program should be able to create an image of the physical HDD/SSD which will include all the partitions and the boot setup. __________________ Better to light a candle ... than to curse the darkness.

11. Feb 2019, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Melita-s Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 632	Here are two opinions I have come across on the subject. 1. Depending on the program I use I may not be able to mount and browse the linux partition, although I am able to restore it. So I am looking for an answer from some one who has done this and who can tell me, using which backup program will enable me to mount and browse both partitions as well as restore the complete setup when I need to. 2. It is preferable to perform backup using a boot media since a backup software running under windows may not see the linux partitions and do sector by sector backups of linux partitions which will be slow and backup file will be large. A live boot media based on linux is better since it will see both windows and linux partitions. Here also I am looking for opinions about this and what programs are suitable. I don't understand how to do this. __________________ Melita

12. Feb 2019, 02:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Remah Editor Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,730	Have you tried the products in Best Free Drive Cloning Software? I've never had any need to have that much control on multi-boot systems. Macrium Reflect has been sufficient for me on those but it doesn't, AFAIK, allow the mounting of Ext partitions for restore of individual files. __________________ Better to light a candle ... than to curse the darkness.

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17. Feb 2019, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 964	Dropbox solves my little worries about accessing files via Linux or Windows.

18. Feb 2019, 06:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 964	For what it's worth... The way i dual boot: 1. install and run EasyBCD; 2. shrink Windows partition to make room for Linux distro. 3. install Linux distro on that extra partition. 4. if Linux distro displeases me, i go back to EasyBCD in Windows to write MBR and then delete its partition. Usually this works well with most Linux distros. Thus, no need to backup Windows.