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Can you tell me how to do a differntial image using Windows 10 and with the what free software?

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Differential image = a backup that only saves changes since the last full image. That makes restores simple: you need the last full plus the latest differential. Incremental images save changes since the last backup of any type and can chain more deeply. Use whichever fits your storage and restore needs.

Note for anyone finding this later: ’s Macrium tip was spot on in 2018, but Macrium Reflect Free has since been retired. Existing installs still work, yet it is no longer offered for download and receives no updates after Jan 1, 2024. If you already have it, differentials are fine; if not, pick another free tool. Macrium product support policy.

A current free option that does true differentials: Hasleo Backup Suite Free. Quick setup you can follow today:

  • Do one Full image to an external drive.
  • Schedule Differentials against that Full; set a retention rule so old images prune automatically.
  • Create the WinPE rescue media and test it boots on your PC.
  • Verify each image after creation.
    Hasleo documents support for Full, Incremental, and Differential backup modes, plus scheduling/retention and rescue media creation. Hasleo tech specs, Hasleo scheduling and retention, Hasleo WinPE media.

If you are OK with incremental imaging instead of differential, Windows includes wbadmin. From an elevated Command Prompt, for a one‑time system image to E: use:

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget=E: -include:C: -allCritical -quiet

See Microsoft’s wbadmin reference for details. Microsoft Learn: wbadmin start backup.

Bonus tip: like , consider keeping user data on a separate partition/drive so OS restores do not touch your files. Keep images on a different physical disk from C:.

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Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Aaarrgh. I posted my reply to the wrong message. Serves me right for doing this at 6:00 am.

OK. I recommend using the free version of Macrium Reflect. In order to do a differential image you must first do a full image otherwise you won't have an image to compare for differences. To take a full image you select the "disk image" tab in the left pane. Then select omly the partition you want to image in the right pane. Then (there is a drop-down menu at the far left (it says "Actions...") where you can select "image this partition only". Specify a folder to store the image and, optionally, a more descriptive file name. Click on "Next". On the next screen you can select "Full" or "Differential". Incremental is only available in the paid version. Select "Full" the first time then click "Next". On the next screen you can deselect "Save backup..." to not create a batch file and click OK to just run the job once.

To create a differential, use the same folder abd select "Differential". It will create a much smaller image that will contain only the differences since the full image was taken.

I've been using Macrium Reflect for a few years to take automatic daily images and never had a problem.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I should point out that when I installed Windows 10 I relocated all my user folders to D: so that restoring an image of C: would not result in loss of data.

commented: And then MSFT might have issues updates that delete files under those conditions. +15
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