Creating bootable Win7 file with installed software and settings

[trolltk]

Hello everybody.
I want to install fresh copy of Windows 7 x64.
Then I want to install all updates, drivers and programs required and the ones I use (office, av, chrome etc.)
Then I want to configure system the way i like it.
And here's my question:
After I have done all of this, is it possible to create a bootable file that i can use on my flashdrive with Windows and all the programs, updates and settings I have just done?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi trolltk,

Welcome to SevenForums!

And here's my question:
After I have done all of this, is it possible to create a bootable file that I can use on my flashdrive with Windows and all the programs, updates and settings I have just done?

You can create a system image [which isn't bootable]. This way, if things go wrong in the future, you will be able to restore your OS back to the exact same state that includes the updates, drivers, programs required and the system configurations in a very short time. There are two imaging programs which are very popular among members here, the first is AOMEI Backupper Standard [FREE], and the second is Macrium Reflect [FREE].

I hope this helps!

 

[trolltk]

Thanks, will it be bootable thou?
Sorry didn't notice [which isn't bootable]

 

[Paul Black]

Hi trolltk,

You can create a system image [which isn't bootable].

 

[ian50]

trolltk


Yes, as Paul Black commented, after you have organised your installation as you wish (all security updates, programs, tweaks, passwords etc blah and so on), make an image file of your disk with either - or preferably both - Macrium or Aomei (both freeware). You may also use the inbuilt Windows imaging program.


None of those imaging programs generate a bootable image file, but all of them allow you to make a bootable CD or USB installation that you use to restore your disk from the image file previously created. This is, I believe, the most efficient and cheapest method of guaranteeing full disk restore.


I use both Macrium and Aomei imaging twice a month, also Windows imaging. I have had to restore full disk twice in 18 months. I used Macrium as the 1st port of call both times and it worked flawlessly. I haven't needed to try Aomei although I have no reason to think it may not work. The Windows imaging is reserved as "last chance saloon" becase there are many reports on it failing at critical times.


So your initial question has an answer - freeware as well.

 

[SIW2]

Aomei partition assistant can create windows to go. Only worth trying if you have usb 3. USB2 is much too slow

 

[ian50]

SIW2


Yes, except that function is not operable in the freeware version.


Nonetheless, it is an option, I agree.

 

[trolltk]

Finally I've decided to use AOMEI Backupper Standard and after installation and configuration I've created 14GB backup from 41GB partition. Thanks for help.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi trolltk,

Finally I've decided to use AOMEI Backupper Standard and after installation and configuration I've created 14GB backup from 41GB partition. Thanks for help.

Thanks for sharing the solution, it will help other people visiting this thread that have the same problem/question.
Thank you!

 

[WyattWhiteEagle]

Finally I've decided to use AOMEI Backupper Standard and after installation and configuration I've created 14GB backup from 41GB partition. Thanks for help.

Is that 14 GB backup a bootable USB backup?

Does the free version of AOMEI Backupper Standard include all the options required for creating the usb flashdrive backup?

 

[trolltk]

I have made recovery recently. I was able to create bootable usb drive, but it only used basic files to start Aomei, the system backup file was left on hard drive. While booting you had to choose backup file location. I had that file on ssd so recovery of entire partition took about 15 minutes.

 

[SIW2]

Does the free version of AOMEI Backupper Standard include all the options required for creating the usb flashdrive backup?

Yes.The usual method is to create bootable recovery media ( typically a usb stick). That contains the program needed to restore the image.

The image file itself can be stored just about anywhere. On an external hard disk, or on a separate internal hard disk, or in the cloud, or on a usb stick, etc.

If the bootable usb recovery stick is big enough, you could store the image file on there.

 

[Megahertz07]

As already written, you can make a (Aomei or Macrium Reflect) boot able drive (CD or USB Flash). With it you can create an image or restore from an image you created earlier. With a USB drive you can have both (boot able and image) on same drive.

 

[Kiriakos]

Aomei partition assistant can create windows to go. Only worth trying if you have usb 3. USB2 is much too slow

USB2 this is greatly compatible with old and new motherboards.
But I will not stop anyone about exploring options that his hardware possibly it can support them.

I am using so far Ghost this never failed in my hands.