Windows 7: system image & updates

I was finally able to create a back up in Win7pro.64 bit after a lot of trouble with the error code 0x81000019. I let windows choose but of course I cant see just what was really backed up. I am limited to 1GB per month of internet data (really bad air card plan in remote location)I need to do either a reinstall or repair install of windows7, because of Adobe premiere elements 9.0 which likes to make a very irritating change to the registry.(no volume in program only) I have tried every fix I can find including Adobe desktop assist which did fix it once but the problem reoccurs repeatedly so this is my next test. My question is whether the system image (assuming it made one) backed up my updates and if so how can I apply them to windows after the fix. I have(pre-installed)7 and OEM disc. with upgrade.

Hello Riverman, and welcome to Seven Forums.

A system image will include everything on the selected HDDs at the time it was created including any Windows Updates that were already installed.

However, you will not be able to restore just Windows Updates from a system image backup. When you do a system image recovery it will restore everything as it was at the time the system image was created. You could manually extract files and folders from a system image though.

The only way to backup only Windows Updates is to download the MSU standalone installer for each specific Windows Update that you wanted to backup and keep it saved on another drive or partition. This will allow you to run the MSU to install the Windows Update.

Hope this helps,
Shawn