Windows 7: How to make ISO file out of Windows 7 files

I have recently purchased VAIO notebook that comes with windows7 sp1 but without installation disc. I was told I just need to create system image later on a DVD which I can use for any restoration or reinstallation purpose in the event of any crash/virus attack. Product key anyway is specified on rear side of the Lappi. I was convinced and purchased it.

Later I tried to create image from Windows 7 Login menu -
Control Panel\System and Security\Backup and Restore\ "create a system image" link

But the backup so created is not a ISO file but folders with few files some of them are huge viz.. one .vhd file is of 16gb. Iam sure this is not ISO/IMG created and is huge for a DVD.

How can I make an image file of the OS(with SP1) alone, so as can be used for restoration. Please suggest if this is possible without installation disc?

From within the VAIO Recovery Center application, under Choose a program, click Create Recovery Discs.

Yes. But using recovery button also has same result as what OS did for creating image as I referred in my post. Iam looking for a way to get iso file so as I can do a clean installation without some unnecessary software provided by sony.

Ok, so try Magic Iso or any of a dozen other free .iso makers available on the net and create an .iso of your Windows folder...if you want to install the OS, you need the .iso from MSDN or Connect or a number of other places,...Google is your friend....

Hello sunsek79

Best bet is to borrow a friends installation dvd and copy the files to your desktop. Then create an iso or copy them back to a blank dvd and use your product key to activate. These links may be of help.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create
Bootable ISO - Create from Installation Files

Alternatively if you can't get your hands on a disk google is your friend.

Danny

MS used to ship installation DVD earlier on request (ofcourse for genuine OS copy buyers) for XP. Is this avl for Windows7 aswell?

Hi xxxdannyxxx,

Thanks for the reply. i checked both the links, found them interesting though they are not a solution for the problem I posted here.

Your suggestion of copying dvd files for iso file and then use the key provided to me, Are you sure it will work? Am I not violating OEM agreement of sorts? am not too sure If I can do this

Yes that will work fine. Copy the files from a friends dvd and create an Iso from them to burn back to your own blank disk so you have one for future installs using the links I posted.
There are no legal restrictions on doing this as long has you have a legal key to validate your version of windows.

Danny

There are 3 ways to totally regenerate your OS.
(1) Usually one of the first steps when you buy an OEM PC is to create a set of Factory Restore DVDs (~3). These are in a special compressed form and often come from a recovery partition on the Hard Drive. These DVDs or a recovery partition will give you a PC like it first was when you first turned it on and an installation process started.
(2) Make images of your disk partitions once you have software installed and the system configured the way you like it. For Windows these are large .vhd files. Another excellent program is free Macrium Reflect which will give you large .mrimg files. These allow you to return to the moment you made the image not all the way back to the beginning of a factory restore. Keeping a number of images made over time is the best way to get your PC back to a fully configured (apps installed etc) state after a disaster. These images should be stored on an external HDD (You would need quite a few DVDs and they are not recommended for storing image backups.
(3) Instead of a total factory restore you can use the Product Identification code (PID) on the COA sticker to do a "clean" install of the version of Windows on your PC. You will need to get hold of the appropriate installation DVD from say a friend. Now this can be an ISO. It is your PID which activates and is the legal ownership of the OS. There may be some specific Device drivers that Windows won't automatically provide for your specific PC.

If you really want to just get the ISO in option (3) just from your VAIO - forget it.
I suggest you make DVDs in (1) the use (2) on a regular basis.

Thanks Danny for your reply.
My friend has OEM Professional edition Dvd, I wonder if I can use those files for making Homebasic iso? as I heard the Dvd will have all versions except that it just activates the version I have the Prod id for.

Is this true or my lil ignorance?