Windows 7 - Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Nice trick SIW2, but it may be best to allow the hidden system partition to stay as default though. This way it is sure to get backed up as well.

Hi Shawn,

Yes , if it's only the 200mb system partition - you're right , it's best to include it.

This is for if your Vista partition is the System partition - and you don't want to include all that in the same image as 7. You might not have space, or you might prefer separate backup images.

In fact, I have just changed my System partition from the First (Vista ) partition , to the second (7) partition.

I have the relevant boot files on both, so if I want to change back, I only need to swap the active flag back to the first partition.

LOL, oh I see what you meant now. I was thinking of just Windows 7. DOH!

Yeah, that would be much better.

If anyone is wondering, I just did a complete computer backup. I put it on an external HD. It included 100GB with Vista on it and 30GB with Windows 7 on it. 130GB total and it took about 45 minutes. I guess I'll have it if I need it. (until RC1, then it will be deleted) There is compression. It warned me is may take up to 130GB. It took up 59.5GB on the external HD. I didn't test it so I don't know if it would work.

Thank you Nate for sharing your results.

Hi Nate,

Thanks for the info. Is that 60gb backup the same as the USED space on both your 100gb and 30gb partitions?

SIW2, the partitions are 360GB and 100GB. The used space is 100GB (in the 360) and 30GB (in the 100) Those two partitions are my Vista and Windows 7 and take 130GB total. The backup took 59.8GB. It uses compression. It warns you there may be no compression but must compress some files.

Hi Nate,

Thanks for the info.

I have done this twice now. 130GB USED space on two partitions put onto an external HD. The first time I was using build 7048 or 7057 and the 130GB was compressed to 59.8GB. On build 7077 130GB was compressed to 36.8GB. They are using better compression or something isn't working right. It said it was created successfully.

Hi Nate,

Thanks for reporting back. That does sound like better compression, on a par with third party apps.

Have you tried restoring either of them ? It should be possible to restore to a different partition , to avoid overwriting your current install.

You might see if you can boot that newly restored partition, if you are in the mood to experiment. Probably need to make a BCD entry for it .