Back up Vers. System Image


  1. mrbreezeet1
    Posts : 29
    win 7 Home Premium bit. 64
       New #1

    Back up Vers. System Image


    I have done some searching, but am still confused.
    I still need to do my system Image in case I need to restore windows.
    I tried doing a back up, but was told I did not have enough space on my external hard drive.
    But I see back up and system image are different.
    I just want to image my system to where I have it now so I can restore.
    I am not worried about back up, my music and movies, I am not worried about.
    I have backed up the ones I am worried about .

    Thing is I have about 175 Gig. movies and music in the Downloads folder.
    If I go to do a System Image, will it try to copy all the movies and music from Downloads.
    Or is there a way to exclude the downloads folder from my system Image?

    Thanks,
    Tony
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  3. Brink
    Posts : 72,043
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #2

    Hello Tony,

    System Image = This includes the Windows operating system and everything on any system drives by default, and cannot be unselected. You can also include any other complete drive you select as well. When restored, it restores the selected drives completely back to how they were when the image was created. All data, partitions, file system, etc..... Folders cannot be excluded from an image.
    Windows Backup - This only includes the files in whatever folders you select. You have the option to also have a backup automatically created on a schedule, and be able to have an optional separate "system image" created along with the backup. A backup will not restore the drive to how it was though. Only the selected folders and files in them.
    Hope this helps some, :)
    Shawn
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  4. mrbreezeet1
    Posts : 29
    win 7 Home Premium bit. 64
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks,
    So it sounds like a system Image will copy all my files needed to restore windows, plus all my movies, music, pictures, e mail's, etc. Everything. Right now it's saying space required, 230.57GB.
    Space available 390.48.
    So if I just do a system Image today, 230.57 GB big, leave it stored on the external, without making updated system Image's, is that good enough to get me back at least to where I am today?
    I do understand, any new programs, installed after today, will need to be re installed, and any new pictures, movies, music installed in c drive, or documents, will not be saved.
    If that is OK, that is OK with me, as I will re install the needed programs, and do the needed up dates , should I need to restore my system.
    Hope this makes sense.
    Thanks,
    Tony
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  6. Brink
    Posts : 72,043
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #4

    Sure that would work. The system image would restore the hard drives and everything on them to how they were when the image was created.

    If you like, you could create new system images every so often to have one as up to date as possible to minimize what you may loose or need to reinstall should the hard drive or Windows die.
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  7. mrbreezeet1
    Posts : 29
    win 7 Home Premium bit. 64
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Brink said:
    Sure that would work. The system image would restore the hard drives and everything on them to how they were when the image was created.

    If you like, you could create new system images every so often to have one as up to date as possible to minimize what you may loose or need to reinstall should the hard drive or Windows die.
    That sounds good, what do I do, delete the old one?
    The section of external hard drive I have set aside, is not big enough for 2 of this size.

    Also, should my main hard drive die, can I use this image to reinstall on to a new hard drive?
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  8. Brink
    Posts : 72,043
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #6

    You could manually delete them, but Windows will notify you when creating a new system image if the hard drive space is low and that the older images will automatically be deleted to make room for the new one.

    Yep. If the HDD should die, you will be able to do a system image recovery to the new drive as long as the new drive is at least the same size or above than the one the image was created from.
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  10. mrbreezeet1
    Posts : 29
    win 7 Home Premium bit. 64
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    OK, I should be good then
    Thanks.
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  11. Brink
    Posts : 72,043
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #8

    You're most welcome. :)
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