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Macrium Reflect Rapid Delta Clone (RDC) compares the source and destination file systems and copies detected changes instead of cloning everything again. It can save work on a repeat clone, but only when the relevant conditions are met: RDC is for NTFS, and a clone that shrinks partitions falls back to a full clone. Cloning also erases and replaces the destination’s existing data, so verify the target disk before you start.
What Rapid Delta Clone does
RDC compares the source file system with the file system on the target disk, then clones differences it detects. Macrium describes the process as incremental-style cloning: it examines NTFS structures and copies relevant file or object data associated with newly created or modified records. This describes a clone operation; it is not an incremental image-backup chain. Macrium’s Rapid Delta Clone overview and its Reflect X cloning-options documentation describe the feature.
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When RDC applies—and when it does not
- NTFS source and target: RDC is supported only for NTFS. With other file systems, Reflect performs a full clone. Macrium’s system requirements also list RDC and Rapid Delta Restore as NTFS-only.
- No partition shrinking: If the clone needs to shrink a partition, Macrium says RDC is disabled and Reflect performs a full clone.
- Repeat clone with compatible file systems and layout: This is where comparing existing source and target data can avoid copying unchanged content. The feature is not a guarantee of a particular completion time or speed multiplier.
Macrium describes RDC as a performance benefit for suitable clones, but its reviewed feature and options pages publish no benchmark or fixed speedup. Actual time saved therefore cannot be inferred from the feature name alone.
Check the destination before cloning
Cloning replaces the destination disk’s existing partitions and data. Back up anything on that disk that you need, and confirm that you have selected the intended target rather than another attached drive. Macrium’s cloning guide explains the general workflow and warns about replacing destination contents; its instructions are for a legacy version, so individual Reflect X dialogs may differ.
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For a bootable Windows migration, include the system partitions Windows needs, not just the partition containing personal files. Review the source-to-target layout before committing to the operation.
Use RDC for an HDD-to-SSD migration
Macrium identifies cloning from a hard disk drive to a solid-state drive as a Reflect use case. RDC eligibility still depends on the file system and whether the operation requires shrinking partitions; separately, verify that the SSD’s interface, form factor, capacity, and other specifications are compatible with your computer. The documentation does not establish one SSD type or model as suitable for every system.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
What to know about Reflect X availability
The feature documentation explains how RDC works and its NTFS and partition-shrinking limitations, but the reviewed pages do not establish which Reflect X editions or license plans include it. Check current Macrium licensing information for edition availability rather than assuming every plan includes RDC.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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