Windows 7: Volume shadow copy necessary?

Its many ways to do this

1. Control panel -> system and security -> backup and restore

Here its possible to make a system image. Is this the same as volum shadow copy? Maybe volume shadow copy has to be started to make a system image?

2. Services -> volume shadow copy

Choose manual or automatic?

Does windows 7 depend on this service to go back to earlier restore points?

3. Or just back up files

Maybe that is enough

Maybe some users mean these questions are stupid, but Im a newbie when its about this

In the Windows start menu search box type services and click Component Services then in the left pane of the Component Services window that opens click Services and set this to Manual.

Read the description in the left pane of this snip

click to enlarge

I know how to activate this service. But it is necessary to start this service to make a system image? Is a system image the same as a shadow copy? I guessit isnt, but whats the difference?

i don't know the inner workings of windows imaging, but yes you do need that shadow copy service enabled and set to 'manual'.

read here for more if you are interested.

Geez, did you not read the Description in the left pane of the snip I posted?

are you taking the lord's name in vain, BFK?

to be fair, that left pane only mentions shadow copies - and doesn't say anything about imaging. 1976kjell is asking about the difference.

Yes, I read it, but I still wonder whats the differrence

If I set it to "manual", I then, off couse have to shadow copies manually? F.ex each month.

If I want to make a system image, is it enough that shadow copy service is enabled, or is also necessary to have a shadow copy stored before making a system image?

shadow copy is not the same as making a system image and windows backup needs shadow copy to make a backup.

manual is sufficient.

windows requires shadow copy to be on for system restore and backups

automatic restore points are being made when your system is idle or drivers are installed etc so likely every few days or so.

leave it on 'manual'.

that means that it is not turned on (and wasting ram or whatever) if you aren't using it.

as soon as a program needs it, it will turn itself on automagically, then turn itself back off when the job is finished.