Backup imaging software… (Which I actually can OWN!)

Macrium Reflect is my pick, it is perpetually licensed, and they offer discounts towards the next major version if you want to upgrade to that. Regular updates to the current version are free.

Macrium Reflect have free licenses

I have good experiences with both AOMEI backup, but also O&O. Both work with purchase once, use forever.

Backup software and imaging software are two different things.

You need backup software for disaster recovery. I recommend Macrium Reflect, Veeam Agent, or Hasleo Backup Suite, in that order of precedence. Use one to create fully automated, nightly, incremental disk backups of your OS volume. (It is best to move your TEMP folder and browser cache off that volume to shorten backup time.) Retire System Restore after that.

Only IT pros and OEMs need disk imaging. The classic example, Norton Ghost, has long been discontinued. (Symantec Ghost Suite is now a property of Broadcom.) Windows comes with intrinsic disk imaging capabilities in its `dism.exe` tool.

Depending on the brand of your SSD/HDD you can get OEM versions of cloning software.

what are you trying to back up? all your settings and favorites etc are stored by Microsoft. Your photos/music/documents etc can be backed up with one drive. When i bvuy a new computer, all i do is sign in and i have all my documents and images and desktop background etc ready by the time setup finishes.

Veeam agent is free. Makes a bootable ISO and the backup is a restorable image.

Macrium Reflect

If your intention is to backup and restore to the same drive(s), Windows built-in imaging tools under “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” works well enough for me. You need to click “Create a System Image” on the upper left corner of the window.

I am sorry I missed you.There used to be free locensws, both for personal and business use (I have both)

Macrium Reflect for the win. And you can still get the free version, just do a little searching and you will find.