Windows 7: where to put backup system image?

Doesn't this make it worthless ???
I'm still using Acronis .. and always save a backup Image in Two different Externals...
And have had to move them to a bigger external.

Hi Noyb,

It just seems that everytime that anyone moves the backup, it can no longer be found and becomes useless. You could also create a new backup at a new location if the space runs out at the old location.

I agree that this built-in backup feature in Windows 7 is basic and limited without having all of the nice features that Acronis does, but it is free and works great if not moved.

Hi Guys,

I recently broke my installation and have been trying to do the same thing. namely, restore from a system image.

Am I right in understanding the above, that windows 7 has no way shape or form of using a backup image if the OS becomes corrupted and requires reformatting?

Secondly, how would M$ suggest I store my backups if I want to protect myself from this happening again?

Also, if I were to have made the assumption that the OS is actually working and subsequently stored valuable information on it, would M$ reimburse me for the lost value? Having sold me a product that does not actually do what it is supposed to do... namely back stuff up in a way that can then be used when required. I would expect some kind of apology at the very least. Obviously, the only response would be along the lines of 'M$ takes no responsibility if you have not tried each and every feature to confirm it actually works prior to entrusting it with your data.'

Anyway, up until now I have almost been a convert... this OS was looking so good, and now...? I mean.. its not like adding a 'browse for image' button is hard.. ffs it browses the network why not the local HD?!?! Or does that only work if the OS was configured to use that exact location in the first place? I am at a loss... I have never ranted or flamed online in my life.. but I write this in the hope that someone involved sees it and gets offended by their own stupidity and oversight... Tell me who came up with the idea of restoring from a backup image on DVDs... I wan't to ask them if they have ever burned 90 gigs to dvds, then if they say yes I would like point, laugh and discuss the concept of secondary local hard drives with them.

On each of my Windows 7 installs, I make a primary formatted partition to store a backup image made by Windows 7 Backup IMaging. Then I copy that image to an external drive in case of HDD failure.

This is how it is done:

Type "backup" in the start box. In the Backup Center choose "Create a Backup Image"

If you would like to make a recovery partition to store the image, then choose DVD option to get the size. Using Disk Management, format a primary partition on another HDD unless you only have one.

Now return to the Create a Backup Image utility and choose Drive option and it will locate that partition (since it is formatted Primary) as available to save the Image to. In about 20 minutes you will have your backup Image stored there, and it will then offer to make you a bootable Repair Disk with the same Repair Console as is on your Windows 7 Installer.

Then copy your Image to an external drive so that if your HDD fails the image can be applied to a replacement HDD. I keep each of my backup images in a folder for its computer, then place that image in the root of the drive for auto-detection when I need to reimage.

You will never have to reinstall again. Just boot into the Windows 7 installer/repair disk Repair console and choose Recover Using an Image and it will detect the backup image, then reimage your HDD (or a replacement) flawlessly in 15 minutes.

Thanks Greg,

The way you explained it, it sounds like it should actually work after moving the image? You suggest putting the backed up image in the root directory which was the first thing I tired, but it was not found. Are you naming the directory by the computers name or WindowsImageBackup?

Also, by copying the image to the external HDD, are you somehow bypassing the need to use the image from the original location eg. the corrupted local disk?

When I store the image externally I sometimes add to the file name if I store several in a folder, but always make sure that it is named WindowsImageBackup when placing it in the external's root for discovery.

Of course if you format a primary partition on an internal drive to store it, then it is never moved and easily detectable.

But I always back it up to an external in case of HDD failure, although the only failure I've had during reimaging so far is the external crapping out.

And storing it on another network computer is a very real option once you get the hang of it. I put it in the root drive for easy detection. EDIT: YOU NEED ULTIMATE FOR THIS NETWORK STORAGE, FROM WHAT I READ TODAY.

Thanks alot! I wish you had of answered before all the other guys... It would have saved me a lot of ranting lol

Just to be clear. After creating a folder named WindowsImageBackup on the root, I copied the image folder '%computername%' from my backup location and restoration went ahead without any further tears.

Thanks again

I'm not sure I understand what you were doing wrong before. Do you mind explaining? Does the vhd go into the root directory or into a folder named WindowsImageBackup in the root? Is there more than one file? Thannks!

From my experience, Windows 7 created image needs to be in the root of a primary formatted location and be properly named (or renamed back if you change name for storage) to be auto-detected.

I just created a system image. It consists of directory named WindowsImageBackup with a bunch more directories and files inside. If I understand you right, as long as the directory WindowsImageBackup is in the root of a partition (eg G:\), then you're set to go? It's so simple, why was the OP and the others having problems?