Admittedly the risk could be slight but, when it comes to image backups, any level of risk, no matter how slight, is unacceptable. So, if the current Macrium Reflect Free version does run into compatibility issues down the track, any saved backups would be useless. The problem with this type of situation is that each imaging program uses its own proprietary format for saving backups and only the original software has the ability to restore those backups. However, it’s also possible that, with the frequency of Windows updates, this free version could eventually run into compatibility issues. It’s quite likely that the current free version will continue to work without issues for years to come. Read Paramount Software’s official announcement in full: Macrium Reflect Free Product – End Of Life (EOL).Security fixes, however, will be extended for a further 12 months following the version 9 release.

The current free version (v8) is the last version to receive any new feature, compatibility, or bug fix updates which will cease with the release of Macrium Reflect version 9. However, the parent company, Paramount Software, has recently announced that the Macrium Reflect Free version will be retired as of 1st January 2024.

Macrium Reflect is popular imaging/backup software that has been available in free and commercial editions.

Macrium reflect alternatives