Making an Image backup?

I want to make an image backup. I have read that you can not only make an image of all your programs. But make an image of your OS at the same time. I found this program DriveImage XML. Here are my questions about this process.

1. I do not know if this program is good or not. I want to know if there are any programs like this that are good and trusted programs to do what I want.

2. Do I even need a program like this or do I have something on my computer like this already?

3. If I wanted to could I just make an image of only my Complete OS. nothing else. If so is it usable on other computers? Can I make more than one?

4. When I make an Image can I choose what programs and files and what ever I want to put on the image? Or can I only make an image of my whole computer?

5. I have made a recovery disk? Can I make an Image of my OS (If I can) After I have made the Recovery disks?

6. After getting the whole image backup made. If I go ahead and do the image and backup my computer. Can I choose what programs I want to reinstall? Will it reinstall all the bloat ware back on my computer?

This is the one that gets recommended around here the most.


Imaging with free Macrium

1. Some people use this program. But I think you are better off with Macrium as BFK recommended. Watch my video that he linked and you will get the hang of it. Plus, with Macrium we can help you if you get stuck.

2. Win7 has an imaging facility, but it is very complex and you never know what it does - my experience.

3. You cannot move an image to another system. The activation will prevent that and it is violating the EULA. But you could restore it to another (or new) disk in your system in case your OS disk dies.

4. Macrium images whole partitions - any partition. You cannot pick and chose inside the partition. There are programs that make a clone of the whole disk drive.

5. Yes. Just note that imaging programs also need a recovery CD that you use when you want to pull in the image. You can burn it from Macrium (or any other) - you will see. Use the Linux option.

6. The image is exactly like your system was at the time you took the image. Btw: there is no "bloatware" - every program is useful for someone. There may be programs you do not want or need. Just uninstall them.

DriveImage XML is a very good backup program. I've used it off and on for quite a while and never had a problem with it. Macrium Reflect (Free) is also very good.

I use Acronis True Image which is not free but has more features. I tried the backup that comes with Windows 7 and did not like it. It is very slow.

Macruim Reflect has all of the features I have needed to restore full partition images to all of my computers without a single failure yet.

~Maxx~