Question A 2018 Macrium Free Installation File

[BonzaiDuck]

I don't know where else in the "Software" Forums I should post this.

Back in 2016/2017, I became very impressed with Macrium Reflect. I downloaded and used the FREE version for several months, then I got myself the "Workstation" license, and I even subscribed to support for a few dollars annually.

Only three years ago, I acquired another "Home" license for a second computer. I think I paid about $50 for that license. I do daily work-week days' backup on both computers. That program has saved my A** several times.

Now I have another computer for which I should do backups of the boot disk and perhaps "file and folder" of some other data. I checked Macrium online, and I am horrified.

They have got rid of their Free version offering (which only limited scheduled backups to FULL and DIFFERENTIAL). Worse, there is no "one-time" license purchase: buyers must subscribe to Macrium on an annual basis (by default). They only offer a Trial version of maybe 30 or 60 days' functionality now.

Before I decide to tear a $50/year hole in my wallet for one computer, I have -- POSSIBLY -- another option.

In 2018, I downloaded the FREE installation file to my "Software" collection on a file-server.

Now I'm wondering if I can still install the FREE version and get the basic functionality that I want. I suppose I'm going to try it soon. Anyone know anything more about chances of success with that?

 

[Quintessa]

Macrium Free Version didn't need a license key, so the installer should run, but you'll be stuck on whatever build that installer shipped with in perpetuity. The biggest risk, rescue media made with the old build may not recognize newer hardware (e.g., NICs, NVMe drives). So yes, you'll likely get the basic functionality you want, but weigh that against driver support in case you ever need bare-metal restore.

Do you still have WinPE/Rescue ISO made from your old installs? That might be more important than the installer itself.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Macrium Free Version didn't need a license key, so the installer should run, but you'll be stuck on whatever build that installer shipped with in perpetuity. The biggest risk, rescue media made with the old build may not recognize newer hardware (e.g., NICs, NVMe drives). So yes, you'll likely get the basic functionality you want, but weigh that against driver support in case you ever need bare-metal restore.

Do you still have WinPE/Rescue ISO made from your old installs? That might be more important than the installer itself.

The hardware intended for use of the 2018 FREE version I have is a 2017 chipset and processor. The NVME boot drive is an SK Hynix P31 1TB Gen 3. I don't think there would be a problem.

I would have to use the installed FREE version to see if I'm successful at creating a USB rescue disk. But this is still for Windows 10. I could also see what happens when I use the rescue disk/USB from one of my licensed installations. The hardware is mostly the same.

Can't hurt anything to find out. It goes without saying that I have no enthusiasm for "subscription" software. So for my needs pertaining to having Macrium on the machine of interest, it could do fine for a few years. I only need to resolve the difficulty of the security updates, and the ESU really isn't adequate for the time frame. I could also just upgrade the OS to Windows 11, as I've done successfully with a "test" machine of similar hardware. That installation seems to be working out OK. I DO need the Macrium to back up the boot drive of Windows 10 before I perform that repair-upgrade.

I have yet to encounter an instance wherein I have software installed under Win 10 which then malfunctioned under the Win 11 upgrade.

[AFTER A WEB-SEARCH -- AND COMING BACK TO THIS POST] Get a load of this:

MajorGeeks

A LATER FREE VERSION THAN THE ONE I HAVE __ LIKELY FROM 2023.

I wouldn't know what mainstreamers do in managing their HW, OS and software, or backups. A Mainstreamer might think that I spend fully too much time doing what I do with my PCs and their maintenance.

I have mainstreamer friends who've lost years and years of data because they hadn't set up a backup strategy. I have a friend and colleague here at our forums who may think I should retire from building PCs and buy an OEM, like a Dell Alienware Aurora -- and I admit it caught my eye. But I need -- in addition to a working ODD (DVD/BD etc.) -- hot swap bays for large-capacity 2.5" HDDs or SATA SSDs. I insist on that hardware. It facilitates Macrium backups for me.

 

[Quintessa]

A LATER FREE VERSION THAN THE ONE I HAVE __ LIKELY FROM 2023.

No doubt, you can still install and use Macrium Free Edition, even in 2025 (although it seems to randomly notifying by mistake the user about updates sometimes). Make sure you follow the steps to properly activate the Free license, it's in the "Editor's Note" section on that page.

 

[Jimminy]

I don't know where else in the "Software" Forums I should post this.

Back in 2016/2017, I became very impressed with Macrium Reflect. I downloaded and used the FREE version for several months, then I got myself the "Workstation" license, and I even subscribed to support for a few dollars annually.

Only three years ago, I acquired another "Home" license for a second computer. I think I paid about $50 for that license. I do daily work-week days' backup on both computers. That program has saved my A** several times.

Now I have another computer for which I should do backups of the boot disk and perhaps "file and folder" of some other data. I checked Macrium online, and I am horrified.

They have got rid of their Free version offering (which only limited scheduled backups to FULL and DIFFERENTIAL). Worse, there is no "one-time" license purchase: buyers must subscribe to Macrium on an annual basis (by default). They only offer a Trial version of maybe 30 or 60 days' functionality now.

Before I decide to tear a $50/year hole in my wallet for one computer, I have -- POSSIBLY -- another option.

In 2018, I downloaded the FREE installation file to my "Software" collection on a file-server.

Now I'm wondering if I can still install the FREE version and get the basic functionality that I want. I suppose I'm going to try it soon. Anyone know anything more about chances of success with that?

Here is a direct link to the last version of macrium reflect Free. Last free version back before they got greedy is version 8, build 7783. I think it will probably work fine on anything you run it on. Good luck. If you run into problems, I'll try to help, but I'm not an expert.

For Latest Version

64-bit:

https://updates.macrium.com/Reflect/v8/getmsi.asp?edition=0&type=99&arch=1&redirect=Y

32-bit:

https://updates.macrium.com/Reflect/v8/getmsi.asp?edition=0&type=99&arch=0&redirect=Y

 

[Jimminy]

I use the free version on several machines, with both windows 10 and windows 11. And one of the machines is an old dell built in 2012.

It works just fine, and you won't need a wheelbarrow to haul all the cash to send Paramount Software each month

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Quintessa, Jimminy and other comrades --

I already had the 2018 Macrium FREE download, but found the 2023 Macrium Free at Major Geeks.

I should better have avoided the Registration dialog. When it takes you to the web-page from the e-mail link they send you, they're trying to get you lassoed into the subscription "X" version. I just backed out of it, and continued with the installation. There are pop-up messages explaining that their support for FREE is terminated, so there aren't any more "updates" or upgrades to the software.

I was willing to pay them for a one-time life-time license per PC or seat, but given the fact that they'd always offered the FREE version, I balk at the idea of paying $50/annum/PC. My lifetime licenses are still valid on the machines where they were originally installed.

Now I wonder if I should've avoided the Registration dialog altogether, but sending them my e-mail address would do nothing per the FREE version I installed. I can't see how they could "find" that computer and just reach in, grab the FREE installation and disable it.

If we were always the "serious" desktop PC users, while mainstreamers were more casual and likely to follow the lemming hoard with different software paradigms and hardware trends (like cell-phones and tablets), we figure less as a market cohort worthy of consideration and support.

 

[Jimminy]

Quintessa, Jimminy and other comrades --

I already had the 2018 Macrium FREE download, but found the 2023 Macrium Free at Major Geeks.

I should better have avoided the Registration dialog.

Yes. For reference, here are some things in my notes on installing the free version. Save it because it may help you the next time:

*****************************************
Found on 11 forums:

To get the free version to install successfully. During installation, you need to place a check mark for personal use only> and agree to use the software only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Then, you will need to “uncheck register this installation of Macrium Reflect” as you’ll come to a page during the last part of the installation that has “enter email address” and below that “Get Registration Code” At the top of that page, you need to uncheck the box that says to register”, Once you do that, everything is gray /blank, press next and the installation completes successfully.
Warning, If you don’t uncheck that registration deal and click on “get registration code” all it’ll do is re-direct you to the Macrium website for a 30 day trial or paid version.
*************************************

 

[Quintessa]

Now I wonder if I should've avoided the Registration dialog altogether, but sending them my e-mail address would do nothing per the FREE version I installed. I can't see how they could "find" that computer and just reach in, grab the FREE installation and disable it.

I've reminded you about the editor's note, it's broadly as @Jimminy wrote. But actually, you're fine, the registration prompt doesn't "phone home" to disable the free edition, it's just a funnel into their paid tier. The 2023 free build still works standalone with no updates/support, so unless they intentionally cut activation servers (which they haven't), your install will keep running as is.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've reminded you about the editor's note, it's broadly as @Jimminy wrote. But actually, you're fine, the registration prompt doesn't "phone home" to disable the free edition, it's just a funnel into their paid tier. The 2023 free build still works standalone with no updates/support, so unless they intentionally cut activation servers (which they haven't), your install will keep running as is.

I just remember what life was like when I wasn't paying adequate attention to backups and preparing restoration options. Without software like Macrium, Acronis, Paragon etc., backups could be limited to cloning disks, or just copying files to another drive and then synching the copies with your files.

Not really a reliable prospect, even for a "Home" user . . . .

 

[Jimminy]

I've reminded you about the editor's note, it's broadly as @Jimminy wrote. But actually, you're fine, the registration prompt doesn't "phone home" to disable the free edition, it's just a funnel into their paid tier. The 2023 free build still works standalone with no updates/support, so unless they intentionally cut activation servers (which they haven't), your install will keep running as is.

Yes. Years ago, you could actually "register" the free version. I did, and received a license code number. However, it didn't make a bit of difference because with the free version, you're not allowed to use their forum, nor is any type of support offered. I guess they finally realized how useless registration was, so redirected that to their sales pitch pages.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yes. Years ago, you could actually "register" the free version. I did, and received a license code number. However, it didn't make a bit of difference because with the free version, you're not allowed to use their forum, nor is any type of support offered. I guess they finally realized how useless registration was, so redirected that to their sales pitch pages.

That's sort of strange. The only reason I need a third installation of Macrium (on my 3rd desktop -- the media PC) is to back up the boot drive. The data is on a Stablebit Drive pool with duplication for important files (but not my movies), which (yesterday) was just copied to an 8TB hot-swap drive. I should be able to use SyncToy to synch the pool with the hot-swap backup. Everything else is also replicated (and synched) on my desktops and laptop. It's the Movie ISOs and DVR files I don't want to lose, so I added the 8TB Barracuda yesterday.

I was looking at EaseUS ToDo Backup today. I think there's even a free version, but they offer reasonably priced lifetime license for their Home version. I should be fine right now with the Macrium Free. I'm going through the hoops of either installing Win 10 IoT Enterprise or Win 11 so that system remains secure. Still have about 8 weeks to get it all settled.

Freakin' Microsoft! Freakin' . . . Macrium!

 

[Quintessa]

I just remember what life was like when I wasn't paying adequate attention to backups and preparing restoration options. Without software like Macrium, Acronis, Paragon etc., backups could be limited to cloning disks, or just copying files to another drive and then synching the copies with your files.

Not really a reliable prospect, even for a "Home" user . . . .

Yep, without proper imaging software, you're stuck with manual file copies or full clones, which don't protect OS state, boot sectors, or hidden partitions. Tools like Macrium were a game-changer for home users. Reliable restores, minimal downtime.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yep, without proper imaging software, you're stuck with manual file copies or full clones, which don't protect OS state, boot sectors, or hidden partitions. Tools like Macrium were a game-changer for home users. Reliable restores, minimal downtime.

" . . . home users" of the old-school pioneer tech-veteran variety. We started out swapping expansion cards in our IBM and compatible PCs. We may have socketed memory ICs in a Tall-Tree RAM card. We figured out what we needed and what we wanted, and put it together in a way the primarily made sense to our individual selves. Then, technology took on a Pied-Piper and Lemming behavior, as the big corporations saw that they could somehow make it all "easier" for mainstreamers. Perhaps that's my biased view, but I was worried about losing important personal data files 25 years ago. I have friends who experienced disasters a mere 5 years ago.

"I TRIED to TELL them!" A good backup strategy influences a choice of hardware to put in a midtower. Software like Macrium or EaseUS or Acronis -- to run routinely, automatically, on a schedule, in the background.

But Macrium wants you to pay a subscription price per seat. Even EaseUS has both flavors: lifetime and subscription.

 

[Iron Woode]

Just to re-iterate:

I have a copy of the last Reflect that offered the free version. It works fine with new hardware. It is what I used to upgrade my NVMe 1 TB drive to my new 2 TB NVMe drive.

I used a USB M.2 adapter with USB 3.2 and it was fast and easy.