Windows 7 - Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

**Brink** · 11-22-2008

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7

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Click here to read the entire tutorial

**sygnus21** · 11-06-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by SIW2

I could be wrong - it wouldn't be the first time.

No you were right

Thanks.

**crimson** · 11-07-2009

Will doing this be able to create an exact clone of whatrever is on my hard drive?
For example. If I have a 1TB hard drive using Windows 7 OS with 300GB full, and the rest free. And I would like to copy everything from my 1TB hard drive into an empty 500GB hard drive. Thus I can take my 1TB hard drive out of my PC, and put the 500GB hard drive in. So that all the information is there exact.

Thank you.

**Brink** · 11-07-2009

Hello Crimson,

Yes, that would be correct. A system image backup will restore everything (drives and partions) that was selected when the image backup was created exactly the same way to the drive you restore it to.

**crimson** · 11-07-2009

Thanks!

**Brink** · 11-07-2009

You're welcome Crimson.

**crimson** · 11-15-2009

Wait I'm confused by the word 'restore'. I have a 500GB drive with about 300GB of information in it. I'd like to put the entire 300GB of information into an empty 1TB drive. That way, I could remove the 500GB hard drive from my PC, and put the 1TB drive in so that it will function exactly the same way. Is that what this is for? Thanks.

**SIW2** · 11-15-2009

No, you are talking about a Copy.

System Image makes an Image file.

You could make an image first, then restore the image to the other drive - it would have the same effect.

Easier and quicker to use an app. that has a Copy partition /disk function.

Hope it helps

**crimson** · 11-15-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by SIW2

No, you are talking about a Copy.

System Image makes an Image file.

You could make an image first, then restore the image to the other drive - it would have the same effect.

Easier and quicker to use an app. that has a Copy partition /disk function.

Hope it helps

So the tutorial of this thread will only put an image file onto the other drive? But it won't clone all the exact data onto the empty drive?

**SIW2** · 11-15-2009

This tutorial is about creating an image.

It should be possible to then restore that image to anther drive. It is not clear to me how that is done with Windows System Image function.

Much quicker and easier to do a copy/clone with an app. for that purpose.

Looks like the free Partition Wizard will do it - check the Help file first:

Free Download Partition Wizard

I would use Paragon Partition Manager/Drive Backup - ( not free) , but they will update bcd and do scheduling.

**FyrmnJ** · 11-15-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by SIW2

Macrium reflect free is great for imaging:
Paragon have an new imaging freebie - it is a bit too new yet - that will probably be the best freebie soon.

I have used BOTH the Paragon BACKUP & RESTORE and the Macrium Reflect to do backups and have done restores and they have both worked as they should have.

FyrmnJ

Windows 7 - Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup problems?