Macrium Reflect – Backup files and folders into a compressed mountable archive file or entire PC into a single image. The free version does not include any of the bells and whistles but is a terrific alternative for anyone wanting a simple and effective way to create, save and restore disk images. Features include; Create a disk image from within Windows. Image to Network, USB, firewire drives and DVD. Built in scheduler, industry leading compression levels and speed. Linux based Rescue CD with Network access and full GUI, built in CD/DVD packet writing engine. Highly recommended. (XP/Vista)
DriveImageXML – Backup, image, clone and restore logical drives and partitions. Features include; backup logical drives and partitions to image files, browse images, view and extract files, restore images to the same or a different drive, copy directly from drive to drive, schedule automatic backups. As DriveImage has no way to create any bootable media it is not a complete solution and is best used in conjunction with BartPE bootable CD/DVD. (XP/Vista)
FBackup – For those seeking a simple but effective backup alternative. Backup important files and folders to local, external (USB) or network drives, but not CD/DVD. Create multiple backup sets and schedule to run automatically at predefined times. Backup to ZIP compressed file or exact copy. Uses Windows Shadow Copy features to backup files even if they are in use. Other features include plug-ins for pre-defined backups, file filters, run actions before and after backup, backup verification, password protection and more. (XP/Vista 32bit)
SelfImage – Nice but currently limited imaging software. No provision to create bootable media so images can be restored outside of the Windows environment, no ability to read files from within an image. These functions are on the drawing board, one to keep an eye on. (XP/Vista)
G4U (Ghosting for Unix) – Download to bootable diskette or CD and clone disk to disk (any size) and copy disk partitions, it can also create and restore image files both locally and from an FTP site. Unix based and not one for the inexperienced. (OS independent).