Windows 7: What's the difference between windows backup/system image and Ghost?

I am trying to get a feel for what windows backup actually does.

Hello bags and welcome to Seven Forums.

Windows backup combines a file and folder backup with an optional system image.
You can also create an image separately by using the Create a system image link on the Backup and Restore dialogue. A system image is a copy of everything in one or more partitions, usually those containing windows that allow you to restore the Operating system and any data on the partitions to the way it was when the image is taken. The file and folder backup is just what it says a backup of the user data files and folders.

By Ghost I presume you mean Norton Ghost. It is a third party solution to imaging a system.

Both backup and both restore.

Windows built in isnt very flexible, and if the system is down completely and your backups are on the same HD that may not be the best course.

Personally I dont recommend either.

Built in--Inflexible and sometimes useless
Ghost--A resource hog, and proprietary



You might want to take a look at Acronis True Home 2012.

so i'm guessing the system image is probably a pretty large file. it sounds as though it's basically a snapshot taken of the entire computer, so if you have to restore, you'll be able to not only get back your data, but you won't have to reinstall your programs. is that all correct?

That is a pretty fair description. provided your data is on the partitions imaged it will be restored along with the OS and programs.
The size of a windows image depends on what is imaged but is generally about 60-70% the size of the data backed up. There is some compression. Third party imaging software such as Macrium Reflect Free (link in my sig) do a slightly better job and you can expect an image size of 50-60%. My Windows disk which has 67GB occupied produces and image of 33GB with Macrium.

oh ok. i am leaning more towards the windows built in, mostly because i have a lot of individual computer stations and it would be up to the user to run the backup...i might either have it back up to my network server or to individual flash drives or external hard drives. not sure yet.

If you want to use Windows Backup to a network location you need Win 7 Pro or better.