When deleting or moving backup files using Windows Explorer you may see the following error message:
This is normal behaviour and indicates that the drive is protected with Macrium Image Guardian.
MIG is a new feature of Macrium Reflect v7.1 and will automatically protect local backup drives from acidental deletion and Ransomware.
If you have updated from an earlier release of Macrium Reflect, and backup drives have been protected. then you will see the following message box the first time Macrium reflect is started:
MIG can be enabled or disabled on any NTFS volume by using the 'Actions' menu in the Macrium Reflect main window. A MIG shield indicates that a volume is protected: Automatic ProtectionEnabling and Disabling MIG on NTFS Volumes
MIG is active directly after installation and will automatically protect backup destination drives. To turn MIG on or off, take the 'Other Tasks' > 'Macrium Image Guardian Settings..' menu option: When turned on, all saved backup definitions are searched and Image Guardian is enabled for local backup drives When creating a new backups, unprotected target drives will be automatically protected by enabling Image Guardian on the drive. When the PC is restarted, Image Guardian will be re-enabled on all backup drives. This prevents accidentally leaving your drives unprotected by manually turning protection off. Enables the MS utility RoboCopy to delete and overwrite backup files on protected volumes with the /MOV, /MOVE, /PURGE and /MIR parameters.
If the target folder is on a protected volume then the the /MIR /PURGE parameters will only delete backup files in the target folder if both of the following conditions are true: This ensures that the synchronisation operation cannot inadvertently, or otherwise, delete files in a folder that is used as a backup destination in Macrium Reflect. RoboCopy and Network Shares Turns off the Image Guardian service.Activating Macrium Image Guardian
Turn on Image Guardian Starts the Image Guardian Service Automatically protect local backup drives Allow RoboCopy to sync and move backup files on protected volumes Parameter Rule /MOVE
/MOV If the source folder is on a protected volume then the /MOVE /MOV parameters will only delete backup files in the source folder if the destination folder is also on a protected volume.
This ensures that existing files cannot be moved to an unprotected volume and compromised./MIR
/PURGEAll overwrite operations If the result of any parameter is to overwrite an existing backup file on a protected volume then this will only be allowed if the target folder is not a backup destination in any saved backup definition xml file. Off Restart service on reboot The service will remain 'Off' until the next Windows startup. If not selected the service will remain 'Off' until re-enabled in this dialog.