Macrium Reflect X: A New Era

Summary

Macrium Reflect X revolutionizes backup technology with faster speeds, resumable backups, and open-source file formats. However, the shift to a subscription-only model has sparked controversy among users. Despite this change, Reflect X remains a powerful and recommended backup solution.

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** Main Story**

Okay, so Macrium’s just dropped Reflect X, and honestly, it’s a pretty big deal in the backup world. They’re touting some serious speed boosts and even an open-source file format – which, let’s be honest, is pretty cool. But there’s a catch: it’s all subscription-based now, and that’s got people talking. Let’s break it down, shall we?

Speed and Reliability: Like a Rocket

Firstly, the speed increase is no joke. Macrium claims backups are twice as fast as Reflect 8, thanks to some fancy data compression and multithreading. And you know what that means, right? More frequent backups without slowing your system to a crawl. I remember once, back in the day, my computer was running backups so slowly it felt like dial-up internet, it was painful, especially when trying to get work done.

But that’s not all, they’ve added resumable imaging. Which is great, nobody wants a backup interrupted half way through, it’s incredibly annoying. So, if the power goes out, or your computer decides it’s nap time, Reflect X will just pick up where it left off. No more starting from scratch. Imagine how much time that’ll save you.

Open-Source: A Game Changer

Now, this is where things get interesting. Macrium’s gone open-source with their file format (.mrimgx and .mrbakx). What does this mean? Well, they’ve put the code for restoring data on GitHub, for all to see and use. You could extract data without needing the Macrium Reflect software itself. It’s about giving you control, which is a good thing.

ARM Support and Smart Filtering

If you’re rocking one of those new Windows CoPilot+ ARM devices, Reflect X has you covered. Native support for bare metal restore and boot menu recovery? Nice, right? It’s good to see them catering to the growing ARM market. Plus, they’ve introduced smarter filtering options. You can exclude temporary files, specific folders – the usual suspects – to save storage space and optimize the backup process. It’s a small feature but it goes a long way.

The Subscription Shift: Is it Worth it?

Okay, here’s the elephant in the room: the subscription model. Some people aren’t happy about this. I get it; folks are used to paying once and owning the software. Macrium’s saying it’s necessary for continuous updates and support, but long-term costs are always a concern, aren’t they? I can see both sides of the coin here.

Though, if you’re already a Reflect 8 user, don’t panic. Your license is still valid and supported for a year after Reflect X launched. Plus, there’s a discounted upgrade path available. The transition can be less painful, provided you take the initiative.

Upgrade Paths: What are Your Options?

Macrium isn’t leaving existing users high and dry, at least, it doesn’t seem that way. If you bought Reflect 8 before July 1, 2024, you’ve got a few options: either a 50% lifetime discount on annual subscriptions or, and this is what I went for, a “3 years for the price of 2” deal. I thought, that’s pretty good value. If you bought Reflect 8 after July 1, 2024, you’ve got a few other deals, including a subscription or free upgrade, all subject to terms and conditions. They’ve even released step-by-step guides to make things easier. It is good to see them put some effort in.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Macrium Reflect X is a solid update. The speed, the open-source format, and the ARM support are all significant improvements. Is the subscription model ideal? Maybe not for everyone. But, in my opinion, the features and the available upgrade paths make it a worthwhile choice for anyone serious about data protection. So, there you have it. Happy backing up! Also, just to add its March 13, 2025, so its been a year since the launch of the new software. Time flies when your busy!