Why bother with OS-level backup (and other thoughts on backup strategy

I backup data regularly to 2 external USB hard drives using robocopy with the /MIR feature.

I do OS level images about once per month. My system is an 80GB SSD running the OS and my apps and a secondary 1TB storage drive. My images take less than 5 minutes to make. I have restored them in the past, but not in a while. The software that I use for imaging is Acronis True Image Home 2010. Never had a problem with it on my systems...with making images and restoring them. I've used it dozens of times without incident. At work, I typically use Macrium and it's been fine.

I usually image the machine right after install, Windows update and activation (vanilla image). Then i image about once per month. Using the images simply
1). Saves time
2). Saves downloading updates again
3). Having to reactivate.

pparks1 said:

Using the images simply
1). Saves time
2). Saves downloading updates again
3). Having to reactivate.

I couldn't agree more. I mucked up an installation of SQLServer yesterday. 30 minutes later I had restored a Macrium image created yesterday and was back up and running. It takes forever to reinstall, apply udates and reinstall programs.

I use Macrium Standard Edition (paid) and do weekly full images of the OS (30mins) and daily differentials (10mins). My data is separate and I use FreeFileSnc to backup that daily. It does an incremental backup which takes no more than 5 minutes.

I did a little video of FreeFileSync if anyone is interested. Backup With FreeFileSync - YouTube

You're right, WHS. Computers are only a tool I use in business. They are not the thrust of my business. I could not afford to experiment with operating systems on them, unless I got one computer dedicated to such a task, which I did not need for other purposes.

Glad you pros are out there cutting the trail.