Disk Imaging Software Review - Editor's Choice
#1 Paragon Drive Backup - PC and File Backup                         
Review date:12.30.2009

Description:

This personal disk imaging application enables you to make backup copies of your entire hard drive. No need to reconfigure system settings. Besides, it features a very simple and intuitive user interface which does not demand any technical knowledge.

Screenshots

Price:

$49.95

Main Features:

  • Full-fledged support for Windows 7
  • Blu-ray disc support
  • Schedule backups automatically
  • Boot Corrector
  • Free trial
  • Built-in Scheduler
  • Windows XP/Vista 64-bit support

Review:

Best of all, the program provides a wide range of solutions for system and data protection which can be used as stand-alone installations.
  • Enables offload backup images to offsite storage
  • Backup to Backup capsule with encryption
  • MS VSS support
  • Synchronous Backup of multiple volumes
  • Restore partition with resize
  • Recovery Media Builder
In a nutshell, Paragon Drive Backup can create full and incremental backup images, and back up from within Windows. It offers the best overall experience and level of control. The Professional edition includes advanced network features.
#2 O&O DiskImage3 - Professional Edition                                   
Review date:12.30.2009

Description:

Different imaging methods allow the adaptation to different needs. The software creates images and restore entire systems quickly and easily. Supports all Windows-storage volumes with automatic imaging.

Screenshots

Price:

$29.95

Main Features:

  • Supports Blu-Ray Disks and HD/DVDs
  • Imaged data can be encrypted
  • Robuts Interface
  • Wizard-based approach
  • Offers several levels of compression
  • Customized imaging

Review:

Pros: You can mount them as a disk drive to access individual files, with an effective backup scheduler. Supports the scheduling of incremental images.
  • Checks image files and drives for damage
  • Images can be mounted as drives
  • Can back up to a variety of storage devices
  • Offers PDF manual as well as FAQs, updates
  • Lack of additional features
Overall, for basic creation of disk images, this application is a good choice but on-technical users will find it hard to use.
#3 Partition Manager - Hard Disk Management                           
Review date:12.28.2009

Description:

This software is a solution for effective hard disk management and PC performance enhancement.

Screenshots

Price:

$29.95

Software Summary:

Linux GRUB will install itself into MBR, and it will manage the Linux and the Windows booting both.


Main Features:

  • Boot Manager Setup Wizard
  • Change Partition ID
  • Free trial
  • Easy activation and deactivation

Review:

Convert Primary hard disk partition to logical. Moreover, you simply select the partition modification to be accomplished.
  • Provides low-level defragmentation of FAT and NTFS partitions.
  • Only for 64-bit editions of Windows Vista and XP.
  • Change partition parameters.
  • Run several OSes on your computer and switch between them easily at boot time.
  • Apply changes is non-functional until you buy the program
Overall, much better and better support for 64 bit OS's than partition magic. This program was easy to follow and worked perfectly.

#4 Active Disk Image - Hard Drive BAckup Software                  
Review date:05.20.2009

Description:

By using this software, you can create and restore two different types of disk images. A backup disk image contains used disk space only and may be compressed. Besides, it can be protected by a password.

Screenshots

Price:

$29.95

Software Summary:

Emails are checked for viruses before they enter the mailbox.


Main Features:

  • Create an ISO image
  • Store a disk image in a local file
  • Use password protection for security

Review:

  • Backup Disk Image: may contain any set of hard drives and partitions as well as an exact copy of a PC
  • Additional driver loading on-the-fly
  • Scheduling disk images automatically
System requirement:
The log file contains a detailed list of actions performed during each operation. Three log formats supported.
Any PC-compatible file systems. Supports large (more than 128GB) size Hard Disk Drives and partitions.
#5 Reflect - Hard Disk Imaging Software                                     
Review date:05.15.2009

Description:

Macrium Reflect is a complete backup and disaster recovery solution for Windows Vista.

Screenshots

Price:

$39.99

Main Features:

  • Restore to any location
  • Supports Incremental backup
  • Free trial
  • Compressed disk image

Review:

HTML log reports are generated and can be viewed using Reflect's built in browser.
  • Images can be stored on local or network drives
  • You can recover partitions with just a few clicks of your mouse.
  • Supports whole-disk imaging for upgrades and restores
  • It uses the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service
  • You can create full, differential and incremental images
In a word, the application supports specific file and folder backups, entire disk images, backups to network drives.
Top 5 Hard Disk Imaging Software
  • Want something that can create an image of a hard drive? Would you like a program that can make you a rescue CD to boot?

    In this section, we've ranked and compared the best disk imaging software available on the market, so you can decide which application will fit your needs.

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