using SystemRestore in Win7 Ultimate

Does the system backup compress the files at all?

No. There is a small amount of compacting, but no compression.

Your image will be very very big. Over 100 dvds. Impractical. I suggest you store it on a Hard Drive.

Welcome back p3aul. While you could conceivably backup to DVDs, it will not be advisable. You would be much better suited backing up to a 2nd hard drive. Either internal or external. If you use an imaging software like the free Macrium Reflect, you can also set the compression ratio so you can use less space for the backup.

Imaging with free Macrium

I'm sure others will have suggestions for seperating the OS from your programs, etc. But backing up to disc in any case is problematic. A Guy

You would be better using a free 3rd party program. It will be at least twice the speed and probably about 60% of the size. It is still a big job, though.

Download Free AOMEI Backupper ? Windows Backup & Restore Software

If you make a complete system image, and create the imaging programs bootable disc. Even if windows will not boot, you can boot from the program and restore the complete image which includes your entire system just as it was when you created it, OS, programs, documents, and all. It is indeed the best insurance.

Even in the event of a bad HDD, you can replace the HDD, and restore the image to the new drive. A Guy

p3aul said:

Thanks for the quick response guys! Now I know why I saw the external disks at Walmart that were advertizing built in back up. So this would back up everything, and when I had to restore it all my programs would still be functioning?

Not necessarily. The default backup program that comes with those drives might only make file and settings backups.

And, in some cases, those default backup apps are trimmed-down versions of regular retail apps such as Easus, or Macrium Reflect.

You can get a full-function backup app from Macrium Reflect for free -- and when you use that, you will know what is being backed up.