Windows 7: Backing Up Different Drives Via Win7

Hi there...

Has anyone ever used the Windows 7 Backup/Restore functionality to image different drives?

My intent is to have multiple images of multiple partitions in my system to restore from if the drives themselves fail and theoretically use the boot disk to pick and choose the images to restore to different locations.

I'm a former Acronis 2010 TIH user - the reason, the Acronis app is a complete shambles since they have moved from 2009 to 2010.

Clear as mud eh!



Comments/opinions are greatly apprciated.

Thanks

I have never used Windows 7 built in imaging. Many here have and some have reported issues with it--I guess it is not particularly flexible. It may (for Home Premium and below?) only allow one full image--all later images are incrementals? Not sure about that, but others will know.

I am guessing you have a drive with multiple partitions, such as C and D. I think you are on the right track to image them separately, but I don't know if you can pull that off successfully with Windows 7 imaging given its limitations.

Macrium and Paragon are other free alternatives that may give you more control.

I seem to remember, (does not really apply to me), that when you use back up and restore (system image), you are asked what drive to back up and where you want to back up to. You then have the option to make it the default. Why not go through the process of making an image and see what choices are available.

Whatever you decide happy new year to you and your loved ones.

I think you are referring to system image, which is a copy of the drive of choice.

Thanks I will try that...

There are limitataions with Windows sys img GUI - you don't have much choice what to image - or where to restore them to.

If you just want to make images of complete partition(s) of your choice - then restore whichever you want to wherever you want - there are better free alternatives.

PARAGON:

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition

How to Create an Image with Paragon B&R 10

How to Restore Data with Paragon B&R 10


MACRIUM:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

How to create a disk image with Macrium Reflect

How to create the Macrium Linux rescue CD

How to recover your PC using the Linux rescue CD

Acronis's True Image will do this very well. It will even allow you to compress the images and mount them to a virtual partition for easy access. But for partitions that merely contain data, the easiest and most troublesome-free way to back them up is just to copy them onto external drives using a sync program, this way, your data doesn't need to be opened using proprietary software.

To any one that uses a Western Digital Hard drive, go to their site and you can get a free Acronis software. If you do not use Western Digital, there is a 30 day try out period.

Here is your solution ( Schedule imagesfrom any disk/partition to anywhere ). I made this tutorial especially for cases like yours. It works extremely well (I tested it many times - on Windows 7 32bit) and does not cost a penny. The Windows 7 imaging facilities seem to be "problematic" - to say the least.