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Backup & Disaster Recovery · head to head

Clonezilla vs Windows Backup

Clonezilla logo

Clonezilla

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Free disk cloning and imaging solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windows Backup logo

Windows Backup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Built-in backup and recovery for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Clonezilla the destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition; Windows Backup folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • They diverge on capability: Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging, Windows Backup covers File History.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clonezilla and Windows Backup actually diverge.

Attributes where Clonezilla and Windows Backup differ
AttributeClonezillaWindows Backup
PlatformsLinux, WindowsWindows
Founded20041975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Backup & Disaster Recovery).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Clonezilla

  • Disk/partition imaging
  • Disk cloning
  • Multicast deployment
  • Multiple file systems
  • Encryption support
  • Unattended mode
  • PXE boot
  • DRBL

Only in Windows Backup

  • File History
  • System image backup
  • OneDrive integration
  • System restore points
  • Reset this PC
  • Recovery drive
  • OneDrive
  • Windows Server

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Clonezilla

  • Bare metal backup and restore of a whole disk or partitionnot Windows Backup
  • Mass deployment of a disk image to many PCs over the networknot Windows Backup

Windows Backup

  • Moving folders, settings and app list to a new Windows PCnot Clonezilla
  • Basic personal file backup for a Windows home usernot Clonezilla

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Clonezilla

  • The destination partition must be equal to or larger than the source partition
  • Differential and incremental backup is not implemented
  • Online imaging and cloning is not implemented; the partition being imaged or cloned has to be unmounted first
  • The image format cannot be explored or mounted, so a single file cannot be recovered from an image
  • Recovery media spanning multiple CDs or DVDs is not implemented; the recovery ISO must fit on one disc
  • Clonezilla SE requires a DRBL server to be prepared in advance and the target machine to boot from the network
  • Runs only on x86 or x86-64 processors and needs at least 196 MB of RAM

Windows Backup

  • Folder backup goes to OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with only 5 GB of OneDrive storage
  • It requires signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local Windows account
  • Personalization preferences are not backed up if OneDrive storage is insufficient
  • OneDrive folder syncing through Windows Backup is not available for work or school accounts, and Windows does not remember apps for those accounts
  • Device settings sync for a work or school account only if the organization allows it

Pricing, plan by plan

Clonezilla

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Disk cloning
    • Multicast
    • Multiple file systems

Windows Backup

Free
  • Built-inFree
    • File History
    • System image
    • OneDrive sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Clonezilla if

  • You need disk/partition imaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows.
  • You also want disk cloning.
Clonezilla review

Choose Windows Backup if

  • You need file history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want system image backup.
Windows Backup review

Questions people ask

Is Clonezilla or Windows Backup better?
Neither clearly leads. Clonezilla starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clonezilla or Windows Backup?
Clonezilla starts at Free and Windows Backup at Free.
Does Clonezilla or Windows Backup run on more platforms?
Clonezilla runs on Linux, Windows. Windows Backup runs on Windows.
Can I use Clonezilla for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Clonezilla best used for?
Clonezilla is most often used for bare metal backup and restore of a whole disk or partition, mass deployment of a disk image to many pcs over the network. Of those, bare metal backup and restore of a whole disk or partition and mass deployment of a disk image to many pcs over the network are not what Windows Backup is typically brought in for.
What can Clonezilla do that Windows Backup cannot?
Clonezilla covers Disk/partition imaging, Disk cloning, Multicast deployment, Multiple file systems. Windows Backup covers File History, System image backup, OneDrive integration, System restore points. Both handle Windows support.
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Related pages

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