Windows 7: "Include a system image of drives" what difference does it make?

i'm about to create my very 1st backup for windows on c:\ and, if possible, also a recovery option for Programme on d:\

please explain me someone what will happen/not happen to my backup files if the last chekbox is checked when i start to backup? i'm asking for a good advise as well. should i go for an image or not?

Hello Leitz,

If you do not check it, then it will just not include a system image backup (a complete backup of Windows HDD) along with whatever files you are backing up. The links below can help tell you more on the differences between just a backup (selected files and folders) and a system image (Windows HDD and any other selected HDD).

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Backup User and System Files

Hope this helps,
Shawn

thank you! i'll read it tomorrow. maybe than i will understand why you could want a fully checked c:\ AND an image. the clone will be exactly the same size as my c:\ partition (which has 50 gb at the moment)?

If you DON'T check it, you will not get an image and you will not be backing up Windows. So, check it if you want to back up your Windows installation. You can't back up your Windows installation without an image.

The image file will probably be smaller than C, due to compression.

Creating an image is used for backup and recovery purposes and enables you to recover your computer to the configuration it was in when you created the image.

Cloning a drive enables you to copy all the files from one drive to another.

No compression. It simply images only USED blocks (re: cluster size).

I strongly recommend you do not check that box in your backup schedule. If you do every "backup" operation will include a system image as well as a file/folder backup. These are totally different things lumped together in the backup options.

There are a number of reasons why not to do this. It far better to take full control of the imaging process quite separately from the file/folder backup process. For Windows images (which I use) select the "Create a System Image" option in the Backup & Restore Screen. Make one image only. To make make more delete, rename or move the last one (see the tutorial).

thank you, that was quiete clear)

can you please share any good source for this information?

thank you, mjf
let me conclude what you recommended: i should create one or more (different) images directly with "Create a system image" or Backup - "Change Settings" with no checked boxes but "Include a system image of drives".[please see the picture below. i guess you get the same result with those different ways.] THAN set up a scheduled backup for files and folders by selecting them, NOT checking "Include a system image of drives".
so you have two backups (one for system image - not scheduled and one for selected files and folders - scheduled). so you need something additional to make your way of backing up scheduled, right?

My advice is that you do not check the "Include a system image" box in the backup schedule. I suggested you always make them manually using the "Create a System Image" as shown in your screenshot.

I personally don't like installed programs located on a separate partition to the OS.
I think an OS and most installed programs could be accommodated even on a smallish 64 GB SSD.

why? whats so bad about it? (my d:\ for programs is 100gb now and growing. all games and big applications are there.)