Drive Image & Backing-Up Question

Hello,

If anyone might explain the differences between the following, for a Sr. Citizen, would be most appreciative:

Let's say I do a backup (full ?) of my HD to an external HD. What doesn't a normal Backup like this include ? Are Programs, Applications, etc. normally included automatically ?

What is the difference between doing this, and using some software to create what is apparently called a Drive-Image ? Are both a good idea, or "needed" ? Why ?

If there is "something" that a normal backup to my HD didn't include, is it likely that it is on an automatically created Drive Image, or do Drive Images specifically have to be created ? If automatic, how can I pull something up that the normal Backup didn't get ?

If I go back and re-load a Restore Point from a few months ago, is it grabbing the old stuff from a Drive Image, or some other (big) file that it has saved, somewhere ?

What "stuff" does the Restore Point NOT include ?

BTW: if you think that also doing a Drive Image is a good idea, in addition to the external HD Backup, any free (or inexpensive) really easy to use/foolproof software you might recommend ?

Thanks,
Bob

Hello,

Much thanks for the good info.
Appreciate it.

Bob

I gave these opinions to someone else - I think they touch on some of your questions.

I suggest sticking to the Microsoft inbuilt backup capabilities. Only if they cause problems or later would I look at some of the other good software around.
"Backup" has 2 main parts to it.
(1) Backing up your files and folders. Like your documents, photos and so on.
The "BACK UP NOW" button will start this.
The first one you make will take a little longer but then say you run it every couple of days it will pick up the new stuff you've made and add it to the backup - pretty quick.
(2) System Image. Snapshots of your whole disk (partitions to be precise). The snaps shots contains everything: Windows itself, application programs, your personal stuff -- The works.
These are VERY important to have because you can put the image/snapshot back to when everything was running fine.
These couldn't be easier to make. You press a button "CREATE A SYSTEM IMAGE NOW". Make say one every couple of weeks (or a month) - takes 10-20 minutes).
(3) Just one more thing you will need to hit the "Change Settings" button once to set a few things up. There is a little box there that say create a system image along with the backup. I would UNTICK this one or else it will do the the image/snapshot thing along with your more regular personal file backups. I'd use the button on the left of the "backup" page - called "Create a System Image" with the little shield in front of it. You don't need to make these that often.
You can setup a automatic backup schedule but the program may want to backup when it's inconvenient...up to you.

There is a third element "Restore points/system restore point" - richc46 has already given you a link to this.

Make your backups to an external USB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). If you don't have one, I suggest you buy one 500GB is enough (Bigger's ok of course). Cost less than $100.

There are tutorials here on the forum that take you through the step by step procedures. Again richc46 has given tutorial links.