Windows 7: best practice for disk images and easy transfer

Hi all,

I just learned about windows easy transfer and that windows 7 can make a disk image natively without the need for third party software (joy of joys, dream of dreams). I just made a disk image of my drive, and I have some questions about restoring to different hardware.



In the event of having to restore my disk image to a system with a different motherboard, is it best to boot off the recovery disc, load the image, then install the drivers for the new motherboard?

Or is it best to do a clean install of Windows 7 from the install DVD, install the drivers for the new motherboard, and use easy transfer to pull all of my program files, settings, and documents from the disk image?

Thanks!

Welocme
I would use the second method. You will have a COMPLETELY new install. None of the old problems (if any) will be present.
The big downside is easy transfer. Although, I and many others used it without problem, many had had problems. Best to have everything backed up, if important.
I have used the second method, when I went from Vista to Seven and it worked 100%

A new motherboard is considered a new computer, I thiink that your best best is method 2 and activate by phone so that you can explain.

Thanks richc46!

You are welcome
In addition when you install and asked for your key number do not give it
Untick the box for automatic activation when online. Then within 30 days activate by phone. There may be a problem because of the MB, but if you explain you will be ok
Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Thanks again richc46! Also, will Windows 7 make a new full backup disk image, or will it make an incremental backup when I go to make a new image?

System Image is new each time; image of HD
Backup and restore (personal doucments) is incremental

Ah, I see. Thanks again!

Just a bit more than you asked, but hope that you can use
Reinstall
Activate, installl programs, now make an image and hide it
Once a month make a new image and update the following month
Have a problem you have a current image
Big problem and you cant use the current; maybe virus etc
Guess what, this is the point to find the one that you hid
Good luck my friend and thanks for the very kind words and rep.

I agree with all of Rich46's comments especially the clean install to a totally new motherboard. (But not if was just a HDD swap over). Transferring your personal data is straightforward.
I use the inbuilt windows imaging and have never had problems (touch wood) even restoring to a new HDD. But others certainly have. I recommend using a second imaging program as well. I use one highly recommended by forum users and it's free.
Macrium Reflect free.

There are tutorials on this forum for making and restoring Windows Images.