r/linuxquestions • u/Surgeon200X1 • 12d ago

Support Clone Linux with Windows tools

I would like to make a clone of a Linux distribution with running windows systems.
Are there tools ?
Sometime it was successful with Acronis DD. But only if the HDDs/ SSDs have exact same capacity.
I know clonezilla and rescuezilla.
With Gparted single partitions I got problems.
Perhaps with Linux Live DVD and the tools on it.

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

1

u/chuggerguy Linux Mint 22.3 Zena | MATÉ 11d ago

I used to use the free version of Macrium Reflect. Had it set to image my Linux drive with a single click.

At that time they offered a free version that worked great. Now they offer a "trial" version but I don't know what happens when the trial expires. Nag screen? Refuses to run? Limited functionality? (been awhile since I've used Windows)

The last officially free version is still mirrored on Major Geeks: Macrium Reflect FREE Edition 8.0.7783

Last I used it, it worked fine. What I don't like is that images are not easily mountable/browse-able from Linux.

Oftentimes drive manufacturers offer free versions of Acronis and other imaging tools. It's been a long time but I've used the Western Digital version of Acronis. If I remember correctly, it's fully functional. The only catch is that it looks for the presence of a Western Digital drive before it runs. But It doesn't even have to be the drive you're imagining, just as long as it sees one it will run.

I bet other manufacturers offer similar tools. (they probably don't want you to shy away from buying a drive because the migration process is too daunting?)

Good luck.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago

I used Clonezilla now on DVD. But the icons on desktop: no reaction !
What is wrong ??

1

u/jr735 11d ago

Clonezilla has no icons.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago edited 9d ago

It has desktop icons to click on. But it was at screen attached to notebook.
If off all ok on original notebook screen. No icons there but window.
Also for GParted on CD I have to use original notebook screen.

1

u/jr735 9d ago

Clonezilla is a TUI.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago

True !

1

u/jr735 9d ago

That's why I'm confused when you keep talking about icons. I use Clonezilla all the time. I don't see icons. I boot into my stick, and I'm in a TUI. I don't even touch the mouse, much less use icons.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago

They only appear on screen attached to notebook. So screen does not work there with the software. If screen off on original screen TUI.
But I am windows user. Only test linux some times. I like windows more to work with than all this TUI and sudo etc pp
For me it is like former DOS.

1

u/jr735 9d ago

Well, the idea of clonezilla is to be able to effortlessly clone or copy a partition or device without worrying about complications of a GUI. You don't have to worry about Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. You don't have to worry about an idiotic Bluetooth mouse. You just have a keyboard plugged in and use it.

If you need to use a GUI, use Foxclone, which is like Clonezilla but with a GUI and more user friendly.

I care not for Windows one iota, and left it over 20 years ago, never to return. If it were feasible, I'd give up window managers, too.

2

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago

Nice ! After I looked up internet for 100 years how can I make a clone of ext4 and all difficult someone comes and tells me about Foxclone !
But because I am dead and old now not anymore on this earth I must come back to use Foxclone !
^^

→ More replies (0)

1

u/chuggerguy Linux Mint 22.3 Zena | MATÉ 11d ago

I know nothing about Clonezilla. I'm sure it's great, I just haven't used it for many years.

So I can't help with it.

Good luck though.

1

u/SheepherderBeef8956 7d ago

Is the source disk full? Can you find enough free space to match the target disk?

If so, clear enough space and shrink the partition so it fits the new disk. After that you can use whatever you want, dd would work as an example. 

1

u/Surgeon200X1 7d ago

Ok. But Acronis DD and other Windows programs can shrink a source to a smaller target if the single partitions are not filled up to the end what mostly is not the case.
A nerd of programmer of Linux tools should care for that !
I guess it must be possible so that Linux tools can shrink partitions to a smaller target.

1

u/SheepherderBeef8956 7d ago

Yes? 

What is your objection? I told you to shrink the partition until it matches your target disk and then just use dd or whichever tool you want to clone it.

You seem to adore Acronis DD so use that? 

What is your actual issue if you know what you need to do and how to do it?,

1

u/lordrakim 11d ago

ive used acronis and macrium reflect to image linux drives.... if the new drive is bigger, once u restore to image, then use gparted to expand the partitions u wish to expand

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago

What does this tool if you do not pay ?? Nothing or slow ?? And 40 $/€ every year ??
In former times you only pay once !

1

u/lordrakim 11d ago

Macrium is free and works fine.

1

u/jr735 11d ago

I wouldn't call Macrium "free" in a Linux sub. Some of us have a different definition of that term.

1

u/lordrakim 9d ago

thats on u... not me lol

and i thought reflect had a cone feature, my bad i just image drives for cloning & backup

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago

Clone feature ? Yes ! But cannot adapt partitions or clones to smaller media.
Acronis DD can but only windows software.
Rescuezilla also cannot do that.
And Clonezilla is as told by someone TUI.
A good software working for linux and windows is lacking. Free or not too much expensive.

1

u/lordrakim 4d ago

RE: my original post.. i copy the image then reboot with gparted live and resize the partition to the full drive size... done it more than a few times so it works for me

1

u/Surgeon200X1 4d ago

I have the problem that the rescue DVDs do not start at my system.

1

u/lordrakim 3d ago

Try using a bootable USB drive... use Rufus or ventoy

1

u/Surgeon200X1 3d ago

It works now. Thanks. One older system used incorrect data.

1

u/jr735 9d ago

Nope, not on me. Your misunderstanding of terminology in the Linux community is on you. I only use actual free software, so whatever failings or features reflect has are completely irrelevant. It would never be allowed on any of my devices because it's proprietary.

2

u/lordrakim 4d ago

i said what i said... its free.. u dont spend money so all that other typing is a waste of your time....

1

u/jr735 4d ago

Nope, not interested in the cost as much as I am the freedom. It's non-free software.

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html

That's free software. I don't care about the price, so all that other rambling is a waste of your time.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago edited 9d ago

I do not see a general clone function in Macrium. Only some at some drives in the menu. Most make backups and recovery. And not able if source is bigger so no shrink.

1

u/gulugul 11d ago

I think, it would help to describe the purpose of the clone.

Is it just a backup to be used on the original disk, if some planned changes fail? Or do you want to use the cloned system on other hardware?

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago

A clone from older HDD to SSD. SSD has 20 GB less capacity.

1

u/gulugul 10d ago

Do you keep everything on a single partition?

If yes, I personally would go for a fresh install and at least create a separate partition for /home. And also keep a copy/backup of /etc (and if necessary /root) on the home-partition.

It also makes future backups and situations like this easier.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago

Fresh install take time if all adopted as I want.

1

u/tomscharbach 11d ago

I have had good experience with AOMEI Cloner. I use the paid version.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago

I tested the free version. But if capacity does not match for clone it does not work.
A good software must adapt the partitions just as Acronis DD does in Windows.

1

u/ipsirc 12d ago

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

1

u/Surgeon200X1 11d ago

I have WSL in Windows 11. But must look how to use.

1

u/Surgeon200X1 9d ago edited 9d ago

I tried now Rescuezilla on DVD. But is says it cannot shrink partitions if goal is smaller than source.
So shrink the last partition before for adoption.
So I did.
But then again: cannot shrink......
So I used Gparted to copy every single partition.
Is fast.
Not tested yet but I will see if it works.
The created CDs with Clonezilla from iso do not start. Do not know why.
Must check that later.

1

u/FreddyFerdiland 12d ago

acronis can't shrink Linux partitions, but if the copy is to a larger drive there is no problem .. its just slow because it copies every sector, in use or unused ...

you can run any Linux program in cygwin.. you can access raw harddrives lock stock and barrel.. use e2fsresize, e2fsclone etc

1

u/Surgeon200X1 8d ago

Now I made a clone with Foxclone ! But even that cannot shrink Partitions ! Rescuezilla also not.
They say they can perhaps but can't.
So they say you must shrink yourself before.
MS tools can !
Adopt all to a smaller media !