hey , this a stupid question, i think. but i just can't understand what is the deference between a system restore image and a backup data image etc? i've heard that u can save both a system restore image and backup at the same time to an external hard drive : for example, f:drive\name of pc user\backupImageSet YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS is this correct? how is this possible , thank you
Last edited by soulfood; 08 Nov 2012 at 23:47.
As Brink says, "There are no dumb questions, just the people who do not ask them." :)
A "plain backup" usually just backs up data files, while a system image backs up everything on your drive. A system image is a kind of backup. To confuse things, it depends on which backup/imaging program you use as to whether or not you can extract individual files. The native Windows 7 tool lets you create a "plain backup" of data files, or a full system image. But you cannot restore individual files from the system image.
Let's say you accidentally delete an important letter that had been in your Documents folder. Either a system image or a data backup could restore that letter. But if all you had was a Windows 7 system image, you'd have to restore the entire hard drive and not just the letter. That's why the native Windows 7 lets you select what kinds of backups you want to create: a data backup, a system image, or both. Other backup software (like Macrium, EaseUS Todo, Paragon, etc) offer more flexibility than the native Windows 7 imaging tool.
Hope this doesn't make it even more confusing.
As stated the file/folder backup is aimed at backing up your data and restoring everything, specific folders or files:
Backup - Manually Extract Files from in Vista & Windows 7
However if you have an image all isn't lost. You can still extract files and folders
System Image - Extract Files Using Disk Management
But normally as stated, images are generally intended to provided a full system restore.
You can also mount and extract files/folders from the popular (free or paid) imaging program, Macrium Reflect. Probably a little easier in fact.
Note: When you "extract" from an image you should be copying so that the image is left untouched.
If you use a system image, it will save all your settings and "customizations". I use a custom (clear) start button and various other personal things and redoing them after a clean install takes up to an hour and a half. With a system inmage it takes considerably less.
System restore will take you back to an earlier time, but at the risk of losing newer programs, settings etc.
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