No free (partial) Restore into same disk as backup image possible?

[pstein]

I have a SSD with multiple partitions on it:

1. EFI partition
2. Windows 10 system partition
3. large Data partition
4. Recovery partition

In the past I gave Hasleo Backup Suite a try and performed a System Backup of partitions 1 + 2 + 4 but not 3
I store the .dbi file on partition 3 beside all my other stuff like videos, photos and more.

Now I have exactly the situation that I need to use and restore this image file.
So I booted Hasleo Backup Suite from USB flash drive and tried to restore the HBS image.

Much to my surprise HBS forces me to enable "Advanced" to specify what exactly to restore.
Why does HBS not auto-recognize the 3 previously backupped partitions in *.dbi archive?

Even worse: When I enabled "Advanced" Mode HBS informs me that I can only restore full disks in "Free" version but not a subset of partitions.

What is this?
very bad

Assume I copy the .dbi archive to an external USB flash drive and restore it from there:
Does that really mean that if I restore the full disk from external .dbi then partition 3 will be destroyed?
I cannot believe this

Normally "free" versions of imaging tools restrict backup (!) process (like no encryption) but allow FULL (!) restore.
HBS "Free" is completely useless since restore is not possible in scenarios like mine.
This restriction should be mentioned in a central location before persuade users to evaluate HBS.

Thank goodness I performed an Acronis Trueimage backup in the past too.
So I was save.

[dheijl]

If this is true: goodbye hasleo free.

[Froggie]

I don't know all the FREE vs PAID restrictions (I only use the PAID version) but you should be able to use "Partition" mode restore and do individual partitions without issue.

[garioch7]

@pstein,

If you are unable to restore individual partitions, I would be concerned too...  Nothing in the Hasleo User Guides or Comparison charts indicates such a limitation in the Free version.  Like @Froggie, I use the paid version of HBS Pro, so I cannot give you any first-hand experience.

As an aside, it is not the best idea to store your image on a partition in the OS disk.  If that Disk fails due to a hardware fault, your backup images are lost too.  I image my OS SSD (all partitions) to another internal HDD, and then copy the images to an external HDD only connected long enough to do the weekly copies.  That drive is stored in a fireproof, waterproof strong box in the basement.  Ransomware can't get to a disconnected external HDD, and I need not worry about an improbable disaster scenario where all of the three internal drives in my computer are rendered non-functional simultaneously.

That does not excuse Hasleo if it refuses to restore individual partitions in the Free version via a Rescue USB, but such an acknowledgement from Hasleo would greatly surprise me!


@dheijl, My advice is that we should wait for @admin to comment before pushing the panic button.

Regards,
Phil