windows 7 v Acronis for system image

Hello. what is the best or most reliable way to create a system image of a new install of windows 7?
All I want is (windows 7 with SP1 plus a few needed programs) in the image.

I have just purchased Acronis home 2012 edition but it keeps restoring all newly installed programs as well.

Am I doing something wrong in the backup process ?

Ok Cheers Rich, I will try a different option.

Well i I have given up on Acronis and un-installed it as I am having too many problems with it.

First of all as in this thread, it will not restore an image only, without them new programs that i have installed, which is defeating the object, because its the programs that are causing the faults, making me restore the drive in the first place, so it is just restoring the faults as well.

And secondly, every time i do a restore i get the old MBR ERROR-2 fault on bootup that has been a problem for some time and Acronis are just turning a blind eye to it.

Imaging programs in general are going to image EVERYTHING on the selected partition and won't allow you to pick and choose.

Paragon has a migration tool that I think may allow you to pick and choose, but I think it's a paid program.

You might want to take a look at Macrium. It's easier to operate than Acronis and at least as reliable---but like Acronis will image the ENTIRE partition, not just selected parts.

ignatzatsonic said:

Imaging programs in general are going to image EVERYTHING on the selected partition and won't allow you to pick and choose.

Paragon has a migration tool that I think may allow you to pick and choose, but I think it's a paid program.

You might want to take a look at Macrium. It's easier to operate than Acronis and at least as reliable---but like Acronis will image the ENTIRE partition, not just selected parts.

I have just tried Macrium and when i try to recver the image it cant see my pci-e drive, even after i install the driver for that drive. I suspect its because it is a raid 0 pci- e card.

If you want the best size I would recommend Macrium, Macrium does not backup your hibernation and page file (since those files get recreated when you boot into windows anyways).

I also don't recommend any of the new Acronis software past 2010.
2011, 2012 and 2013 are nothing but bloatware and bug hell.

soundesciple said:

I have just tried Macrium and when i try to recver the image it cant see my pci-e drive, even after i install the driver for that drive. I suspect its because it is a raid 0 pci- e card.

Did you use the Linux-based recovery disk?

Or the WinPE-based recovery disk?

The WinPE-based recovery disk