Windows 7 - Create backup image of clean install AND an updated?

Hi Im new on here and I was wondering if I can use Windows 7's Disk Image creator to keep one original backup of a totally clean install and and one that gets updated periodically. I would like to save both to the same external HD. TIA.

you should be able to do that, make sure you name both images different names so they do not conflict, as well as so you know which is which.

just also remember if you do a periodic back up image that has updates and whatnot and saving it to the same HD that any errors on your system and such will be in that periodic Image. and also if you get a Virus and not sure of it once you plug that external in or copy a new periodic Image to it that Image now has the Virus and so does your External HD. has a chance to Contaminate both, not a guarantee though.
the point of the Image is so that you can have an emergency restore back to defaults. best option would be disconnect network cable, install windows, install antivirus, use a second computer and download anti virus updates if you can. update the anti virus with those downloads, reconnect to network update windows and antivirus/firefwall. then Image the machine. then you will have a system that is somewhat defended. have that Image on a DVD or a 32gig Thumb Drive.
then on that external you can have the same Image and the periodic Back up, that way in even your HD goes bad or a contamination you have the original backed up.

but in short yes you can do both Images on one Drive, but its not highly Recommended

hope that was of a little help at least

Thanks for the quick reply. You bring up a good point about keeping them both on the same disk. Maybe I can keep the updated version of the image actually on my machine and the original clean verssion on the external. But when I use the Windows 7 disk image creator it only allows me to choose the general drive to load the image to. It doesn't seem to give me the option to name it or put it in a specific folder. Thanks much.

that is strange that it wont show you the external HD... Hum... well what you could do is save it to the main HD then just move it to the external, and you may be able to rename them, although not sure if that would "break" the image, that is one I have not tried. I think that yes keeping them seperate would be a safe call to make

happy I could be of some help

Yes, you can save more than 1 image. From Windows 7 help and support..



Also have a look at the Backup and restore section in the Tutorials forum, there are some great guides there that will walk you through exactly what you want to do.