Can I have programs open while running Macrium Reflect imaging in the background?

steffeeh

Reputable
Feb 12, 2016
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Does Macrium Reflect only backup programs that aren't actively running, or can I let things like Skype, Spotify, Steam, etc stay open without actively using them, while backuping an image?
Or will the backup discard any backup of the programs that are actively running?

I ask because I've realized my backup takes so little time that I might as well do it sometime during the day when I'm away from the PC, so I won't have to let my PC run at night.
 
Solution
Actually, yes you can.
At the start of the process, Macrium makes a snapshot, and continues on.

You don't have to close everything, and it is pretty impossible to close everything. There's always a lot of processes running behind the scenes.

That doesn't mean you should be playing a game, though...:)
When you create an HDD image, everything on that HDD is included in the image - absolutely everything. Nothing on that HDD must be open or in use, neither should you attempt to use Windows while the image is being created.

I don't even create system HDD images from within Windows as I consider it bad practice.

I use a bootable CD to get my imaging software up & running in WinPE, then create the image (ie the same environment I use to restore my system from an image).

Go and watch telly or something while the image is being created.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Actually, yes you can.
At the start of the process, Macrium makes a snapshot, and continues on.

You don't have to close everything, and it is pretty impossible to close everything. There's always a lot of processes running behind the scenes.

That doesn't mean you should be playing a game, though...:)
 
Solution