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🧠 Rescuezilla (Graphical Disk Imaging and Cloning Utility)
Category: System Repair & Recovery
Author: jmarket (PCHF Founder)
Verified by: PCHF Staff • October 2025
Overview
Rescuezilla is an open-source, cross-platform imaging and cloning utility often described as “the Swiss Army Knife of system recovery.”
It provides a simple, graphical interface for creating full disk images, performing backups, and restoring systems after data loss or corruption.
Rescuezilla is fully compatible with image files created by Clonezilla, offering a user-friendly alternative that does not require command-line interaction.
The distribution is based on Ubuntu Linux and includes a wide range of storage drivers, making it compatible with most modern hardware and file systems.
It can back up or restore Windows, Linux, and macOS partitions with equal reliability.
Key Features
- Graphical Interface: A modern, intuitive GUI eliminates the complexity of Clonezilla’s text-based interface.
- Full Disk and Partition Imaging: Create or restore complete system images, individual partitions, or external drives.
- Clonezilla Compatibility: Read and write Clonezilla-format images seamlessly.
- Cross-Platform Support: Works with NTFS, EXT, FAT, APFS, and HFS+ file systems.
- Network and External Storage: Save or restore images from SMB, NFS, or external USB storage devices.
System Requirements
- Architecture: 64-bit (x86_64)
- RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
- Storage: 2 GB free space for ISO and image storage
- Boot Mode: UEFI and Legacy BIOS supported
- Network: Optional for saving to shared drives or NAS devices
Installation and Boot Media Creation
- Download the latest Rescuezilla ISO from the official website listed below.
- Use Rufus or Ventoy to create a bootable USB drive.
- Insert the USB drive into the target computer and boot from it.
- Select Try Rescuezilla at the boot prompt to launch the graphical environment.
Using Rescuezilla
After the desktop environment loads, the main Rescuezilla window appears with clear step-by-step options.
Choose between Backup and Restore modes depending on your task.
- Backup: Select the source disk or partition and choose a destination (local disk, network share, or external drive).
Rescuezilla creates a compressed image that can later be restored to any compatible system. - Restore: Select a previously saved image file and the target disk to begin restoration.
The process automatically handles partition structure and file system alignment. - Clone: For direct drive-to-drive cloning, use the built-in Clone Drive feature.
Verification and Integrity
Rescuezilla supports image verification to ensure backup integrity before and after the process.
Users can perform checksum validation or compare image metadata to detect corruption.
It is recommended to store verified images on redundant media such as an external SSD or NAS for long-term reliability.
Troubleshooting
- USB drive not detected: Try a different port or disable Secure Boot temporarily in BIOS.
- Network share not mounting: Confirm SMB or NFS credentials and ensure the network connection is active.
- Image restore fails: Ensure the target drive is equal or larger in capacity than the original source disk.
Best Practices
- Perform regular image backups of critical systems for quick recovery from hardware failure or ransomware.
- Label backup images clearly with date and system identifier.
- Keep at least two separate copies of each image — one local and one offsite.
- Test restored images periodically in a virtual machine or secondary drive to confirm integrity.
Download
Official Rescuezilla Download Page
Technical Information
- Publisher: Rescuezilla Project (Open Source)
- Version: 2.5.4 or latest
- Release Date: October 2025
- License: GPLv3 — Free and open-source
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All content © 2025 PC Help Forum. Rescuezilla is an open-source project distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPLv3).
All links provided point directly to the official project website. Redistribution of modified ISOs without attribution is prohibited.