Windows 7 - Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thanks FY.

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

Thank you all. I did this and it worked

1. Start -> Computer -> Right click -> Manage -> Storage -> Disk Management
2. Right click on the problematic volume (FAT32) - Right click on system (unnamed drive)
3. Select "Change Drive letters and Path"
4. Change it to your desired letter (L or any thing)
5. Right click again as in 2 and select "properties"
6. Name it as anything like "SYS" or "SYSTEM"
7. Start -> RUN command (as adminstrator)
8. type -------->> convert L: /fs:ntfs ------- where L came from 4 above
9. When asked to give the volume name, you give what was made on 6 above
10. Finally, you create system image and do the backup. It should work now

Correct me if I am wrong.

Having the image backup is for C drive only? (System OS and program files?)
What if I had my programs installed to D drive, can I actually create an image backup as well?

Am I right to say that if I ever format my computer, using this image backup to restore, I do not need to go through all the long installation of drivers and etc?

Hello Pboong,

In Windows 7, you can now select any internal drive or partition (step 6 in tutorial) to be included in the system image. You cannot include the partition letter that you are saving the image backup to though.

Correct, you would boot from your Windows 7 installation disc to do the System Image Recovery that will format the drive for you and restore everything as it was when the image backup was created. No more having to go through installing all of the drivers, programs, and stuff each time.

That will be cool.
Image for those we installed before.

Back up for backing up the files folders we had in computer for secure.

It is also great that we can System Image Recovery by using the HDD instead of DVD, right?

Does the System back up image work the same as Backup? What I meant is the incremental. =)

Yep, it's saved incrementally as well. You'll notice under step 4C here, you can select a date within the incremental image backup to restore.

I used to do my backups with Acronis. But after reviewing things thoroughly, Windows 7 appears to be all I need. It is simpler, easier and faster. This has been my expericene so far. Though I haven't had to restore anything yet either. <grin>

Is it possible to create a backup of just a few certain folders? My external HDD only has 35GB left and my current C: drive is 40+GB, and I want to keep adding to the external drive. There are only a number of folders/program data that I want (and don't want to lose); is there a way to just periodically back these up?

Hello MdPilam,

Yes, you can use the backup feature in this tutorial below instead to backup user files and folders.

Backup User and System Files

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Wow Brink! Amazing work and nice guides. I saw you answered a lot of questions and there are a couple of things I am not sure about. Could you help me out? Thanks!

I have a external HDD(1 big partition) where I want to put my system image, but I also have personal files on that HDD. I have enough room but will I keep these personal files?

I just reinstalled Windows 7 and did a clean install. So to save me from doing this every time I want to 'reinstall' I want to make a system image. I also installed my drivers, some personal files and programs. Stuff like, fingerprint, download locations, power settings, networking.... Will these also be in the image?

Greetings and keep up the good (amazing!) work.

Lourens