New
#1
Windows 7 backup vs. extra software
Why would anyone choose extra ghosting software over Windows 7 built in backup system w/ system image option? Is there some benefit to this?
Windows 7 backup vs. extra software
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New #2
Yes there is more functionality in the 3rd party products. For example, the Windows system image can only be restored to a drive that is the same size or larger. It however cannot restore to a smaller drive...while 3rd party utils can.
Software like Acronis True Image 2010 has a feature called "try and decide", which allows you to take a snapshot of your system, then you can install things, patches, software, etc and see how they work. Once you are done, you can go back to Acronis and decide to either keep the changes since the snapshot and actually commit them to disk...or you can scrap them and it puts your computer back exactly the way it was when you took the snapshot.
I've used the System Image utility and it works great. It's never left me disappointed. But I've also invested in Acronis True Image Home 2010 as it only cost me $23.99 and offers some additional functionality that is a nice to have.
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New #3
Yes,
The limitation of Windows System Image is that it doesn't allow you much choice over which partitions to back, or where to restore them to.
There is also a danger that it may lose track of where it's images are . You will be unable to restore in that case.
Other software will let you select any partition or combination to make images of.
They allow you to restore any of those images to any location you choose.
They also let you browse the drive manually and pick up the images , even if they have moved, or the name has changed, or the backup image is no longer listed in it's own database.
Even the free versions will do that:
Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
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New #4
SIW, Windows 7 lets me choose your partitions, but when you restore, you had better have them all checked, or it will destroy the partitions you don't have backed up.
As long as you check all partitions, Windows 7s tool will work for a lot of people. It's so easy to use, I think it's worth a look first, then if you need more functionality, move to a 3rd party tool.
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New #5
Yes, it will be fine for some people. Just answering the question of why people would use anything else.
It lets you choose your partitions from the GUI ? It doesn't do that for me. It forces you to image the system and boot partition - you can add others.
I don't want to do that. I want to back up , for example , only my G partition - an o/s partition that I am not currently booted into.
Later I may ONLY want to restore the G partition . In fact , I may want to restore it somewhere else entirely.
Does it? It's a good job I haven't tried a restore with Win Sys Image.when you restore, you had better have them all checked, or it will destroy the partitions you don't have backed up.
That would be crazy. It would mean people will image the system and boot partitions ( because they are forced to ).
Then if they restore - their other (e.g. data) partitions would be deleted.
Are you sure it does that?
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New #6
Hey SIW, you're the last guy I will argue with...haha you know your stuff.
You're right, Windows does make you back up the "system" partitions then choose from there. I have done restores with Windows 7 imaging tool onto a disk that was bigger than the image. It creates a partition the same size as the image and leaves the rest "Unallocated" so I mis-spoke. Your answer was GREAT as usual. If there were already 2 partitions on the bigger drive....it would probably leave the partition alone you are not restoring to....
SIW is correct, compared to these 3rd party tools, Windows 7 imaging lacks functionality.
If all you want to do is back up your "system" and maybe a "storage" drive like a lot of people do......Windows 7 imaging tool will be fine.
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New #7
Although there are many free alternatives that do backup better than Windows built in one :
IMO, the Acronis Try & Decide makes it worth it paying for. I use it often & love it.
Still, the free choices suggested are equally as good as Acronis with everything else & superior to Windows built in one IMHO.
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New #8
I consider myself a power user but I DON'T have a lot of data. I have about 40-50GB of music and video. I have tried the 3rd party tools, and when I got Vista Ultimate, I started using Windows tool included. I think MS improved it in Windows 7 and it's all I use now.
I use SSDs so I have "more" of a chance (maybe) that my HD will fail. (I had one fail and was prepared with my Windows image)
Windows 7s tool is all I need. That MAY change some day, but I the extra features are not enough to make me want to switch. It depends on personal preference I suppose.
SIW is right.....he answered the OPs question. What's the benefit? There are benefits to 3rd party tools.
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New #9
Windows Sys Image could be a lot better. Ms could have included more options in the GUI.
I believe they didn't because they didn't want inexperienced people to mess it up.
That is both it's strength and it's weakness. It makes it hard for the inexperienced to image the wrong things - at the same time it prevents choice for the intermediate user.
There is a little extra you can do with it using the command line - but not much (in Win 7).
The command options are much better in Server 2008.
MS would do well to include those command options in 7 Pro and higher.
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New #10
Good point SIW. I forget MS has to prepare for the inevitable. I am glad this tool is included in Home Premium this time. It's a good step forward. I see your point now more than ever. I have just had so much trouble with Paragon and Macrium.....If I hadn't had these problems, i would probably be using one of them.
You have tried to help me before with these, but I never got them ironed out.
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