Solved System Image Backup - I am still confused.

[boyboyds]

Hi,

I have W7 PC with Windows preinstalled by the manufacturer (ASUS).

I want to save a copy of my W7 OS on a DVD, just in case my HD crashes and I need to buy a new HD and get Windows reinstalled.

I do not need to backup my personal files and folders.

Is System Image Backup the correct way to accomplish this.....?

If so, how do I exclude non Windows OS files from the backup....?


Thank you,
boyboyds.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I want to save a copy of my W7 OS on a DVD, just in case my HD crashes and I need to buy a new HD and get Windows reinstalled.

Is System Image Backup the correct way to accomplish this.....?

If so, how do I exclude non Windows OS files from the backup....?

Yes, imaging is what you need.

You exclude non Windows OS files from the backup by moving them off the C partition. Imaging captures everything in the chosen partition.

There are imaging apps other than the Windows built-in app that some say are preferable--Macrium, Acronis, for instance.

However, if you don't already have an ordinary Window 7 installation disc, you should also probably download an ISO of one from mydigitallife.info and burn it to a disc.

The burned ISO will give you a clean installation of Windows.

The image file will, if restored, restore your C drive to the state it was in at the time you made the image---which is not the same as a clean install.

If your hard drive fails, its up to you to decide if you want to do a clean install onto the new drive or instead restore an image.

 

[whs]

Apart from imaging, you should also burn the installation DVDs from the recovery partition. That should be described in the booklet that came with the PC.

 

[boyboyds]

Thanks a lot for your help.

I just learned that W7 ISO image can be downloaded directly from MS website.

This will give you a clean W7 install.


If so, why even mess with W7 System Image Backup, unless you want to save some
personal files and settings as well.

Regards,
boyboyds

 

[whs]

Well, a reinstallation after 2 years is a 3 day job. Restoring an image from yesterday is a 20 minute job. But if you have a lot of time, it may not make any difference.