Create ISO File From Installed Win 7

My goal is to create an ISO file from my recent installation of Windows 7 with most updates and my selected preferences, so that I can use this file to reload Windows if necessary.

I've tried both Macrium Reflect Free (v 7.2.4557.0) and AOMEI Backupper Standard (v 5.3.0.0), but I cannot create the ISO file that I think should be created. One creates a backup file of 13.1GB, the other 13.9GB. The ISO files created are 235MB and 239MB. My C partition is using 85.2GB.

Given my goal, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for any help.

Why do you want an ISO file you need a file that you can boot an imaging software to restore an ISO won't do that

br4 said:

I've tried both Macrium Reflect Free (v 7.2.4557.0) and AOMEI Backupper Standard (v 5.3.0.0), but I cannot create the ISO file that I think should be created. One creates a backup file of 13.1GB, the other 13.9GB. The ISO files created are 235MB and 239MB...

The ISO file each of those creates is NOT the backup of your system, that backup is the 13GB file.


The ISO is the bootable recovery media that can restore the image file. You need to burn the ISO to a CD/DVD (or make the bootable USB recovery media instead). Boot from this, then you can restore the system from that 13GB image.

I was hoping you wouldn't tell me what I want to do isn't doable, but such is life.

To Bree: If I boot from the ISO file, as you noted, will I be able to direct the restoration process to any of my disks, where the restore file would be located?

br4 said:

To Bree: If I boot from the ISO file, as you noted, will I be able to direct the restoration process to any of my disks, where the restore file would be located?

Of the two you have tried I use Macrium, but Aomei should work in the same way.

I have made the Macrium image of my system on an external USB HDD, but you could equally well make it on any other internal drive, just not on a partition that will included in the system image you make.

To restore an image, I boot from a Macrium recovery usb, this can be made by the same tool you used to make the ISO. You need to plug the usb in before you run the Create Rescue Media tool in order to have the option to make a usb.


When you boot from the rescue media Macrium will open at the Restore tab. You can then browse for an image to restore. You will be able to browse on any drive that's connected, either internally or by usb.

Thanks again for your replies. Very helpful.

Is AOMEI backupper better than the built in Windows 7 System Restore?