System Image Recovery

**Brink**

How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to restore your Windows 7 hard disk back to exactly how it was when you created the image backup.

WARNING

When you restore your computer from a image backup, it is a complete restoration. You can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced.
If your backup image is on a external device (ex: USB drive), then make sure it is connected before starting.

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. Boot to the System Recovery Options screen.

2. Select the System Image Recovery option. (See screenshot below)

3. If you saved the backup image on a set of multiple DVDs, then insert the last backup image DVD from the set when prompted. If not, go to step 4.
A) Go to step 5 below.

4. If you have a saved backup image on a connected hard drive or another partition, then you will see this screenshot
below.
A) If you want to restore the latest backup, then click on Next.
NOTE: The Restore the following backup is normally the last backup made.

B) To restore a different backup image, dot Restore a different backup and then press Next.
NOTE: This is if the backup you want to use is not listed here and you have made other complete PC backups in this same location that you wish to choose from instead. If you have a backup from another location that you want to choose from, then it will need to be connected to the computer before step 1.

C) Select which backup image to restore from the list and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

D) Click on Finish.

5. Check the confirm box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

6. You will now see this screenshot below.
NOTE: If you have the backup image on DVDs, have them ready. See step 7 above.

7. When done, click on Restart Now to finish. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Your computer will restart and the backup image restoration will be done.

That's it,
Shawn

**nate42nd** · 04-16-2009

I am going to try this tutorial this weekend. I have a small XP partition (and W7 partition) that was included in the Complete PC Image so it should restore it to exactly how it was when I created the image (including the boot manager) right? Has anyone had problems with this messing anything up?

I will post back and let you know how it works. Looks like a good tool.

**Brink** · 04-16-2009

Hi Nate,

Yes, it should if both the XP and W7 partitions were selected when you created the system image backup.

**nate42nd** · 05-30-2009

I wanted to report back on this. I have a system with XP, Windows 7, and a recovery partition for the XP install. When I created the image with Windows 7 it would not let me choose the recovery partition. Just the XP and W7. I created the image anyway. When it was done I unplugged the USB drive, plugged it back in and booted from the repair disc created by Windows 7. Everything went fine. I found it interesting that ALL 3 partitions were there when done. I don't know if the recovery partition was left there or recovered. Anyway, the "System Image Recovery" works great (again) for anyone wondering. Have a great day.