Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7​

   Information

A system image is an exact copy of a drive. By default, a system image includes the drives required for Windows to run. A system image would include all NTFS formatted partitions with an operating system installed on it (ex: C ), as well as the System Reserved partition. These system partitions cannot be unselected. It also includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration—you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced with the contents of the system image.

This tutorial will show you how to create a system image (clone) backup of the entire hard drive or partition that Windows 7 is on, and any other selected drive or partition. You can use this image to be able to do a system image recovery to restore the hard drive or partition at boot back to the way it was at the time the backup image was created.

If you want to include additional drives in the system image, you can manually create a system image. If you manually create a system image, it can be saved on a USB flash drive, CDs, DVDs, or a hard drive.

If a system image was created through Windows Backup instead with the Include a System Image of Drives box checked, you can set Windows to retain as many system images as it has space for on the backup disk or to only keep the most recent system image.

   Note

Keeping different versions of system images

If you're saving your system images on an internal or external drive, or on CDs or DVDs, you can keep several versions of system images. On internal and external hard drives, older system images will be deleted when the drive runs out of space. To help conserve disk space, you can manually delete older system images.

Backup images are saved as backup periods in this format at the selected saved to location like the example below.

drive letter:\WindowsImageBackup\computer name\Backup YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS

For example, if your computer name is Computer, your backup image location is on hard disk or partition (network or local) D: , and you backed up on 11/22/2008 at 1:00:50 PM (It uses 24 hour time), then that backup image would be located in the folder below.
D:\WindowsImageBackup\Computer\Backup 2008-11-22 130050
If you're saving your system images in a network location, you can only keep the most current system image for each computer. If you have an existing system image for a computer and are creating a new one for the same computer, the new system image will overwrite the existing one.

   Tip

If you want to keep multiple system image versions on the same drive or partition, then you can use either method below to do so.

METHOD ONE:
Change the maximum space used for system images on the drive letter you are saving the Windows Backup to by changing the maximum space used by System Protection for the same drive letter. This is the same setting.

You do not have to have System Protection turned on for the drive letter, but do need to adjust the maximum space to what you like.

The size of a system image can be quite large since it will include all system drives in the image by default plus any drives you have included. If you want to keep multiple system images, be sure to increase the max size accordingly.

METHOD TWO:

1. Navigate to the backup location above for where you saved a system image that you want to keep before creating a new system image.

2. Right click, or press and hold, on the WindowsImageBackup folder, and click/tap on Rename.

3. Rename it to something like WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1, press Enter, and click//tap on Yes if prompted by UAC.
NOTE: This way you can just easily change the 1 an the end of the name to 2, 3, 4, etc... for each new system image that you make a copy of.

4. You now have a different system image version that you can leave at this location to be able to keep multiple versions.

NOTE: When you want to restore a system image in a renamed WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1 folder in the future, then you must rename the current WindowsImageBackup folder first, then rename the WindowsImageBackup-Copy-1 folder back to WindowsImageBackup in order to be able to restore it. The WindowsImageBackup folder must be in the root directory of the drive, and not within another folder.

   Warning

• Windows 7 can only include drives formatted with the NTFS file system in the system image.
• Windows 7 cannot include the partition or drive that you are saving the backup image to in the image.
• All "system" or "boot" drives/partitions are included in the system image by default, so you will not be able to save the system image to a system or boot drive/partition.
• If you are saving the system image to a HDD or partition, then you can only save the system image on a separate hard drive (recommended) or partition than what Windows 7 is installed on. It cannot be saved to the C: drive.
• Only the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions can backup to a network location.
• You cannot restore a 64-bit Windows 7 backup image on a 32-bit system.
• You cannot restore a 64-bit Windows 7 backup image with a 32 bit Windows 7 installation DVD or recovery partition, or the other way around. You must use the same 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 installation DVD or recovery partition as the backup image is.
• A system image that was created on a computer using EFI cannot be restored on a computer using BIOS. It can only be restored on a computer using EFI.
• When restoring a system image from a dynamic volume, the disks on your computer cannot be formatted to match the layout of the disks on the backup. To have full functionality, select a volume (partition) on a basic disk as your backup location instead.
• I would recommend to create a system image on a separate HDD, or a separate partition on a separate HDD, for the best reliability to restore from it. CDs or DVDs are just not as reliable. A scratch one just one of them could ruin the whole image.

Here's How:
1. Open the Control Panel (icons view).

2. Click on the Backup and Restore icon.

3. Click on the Create a system image link. (See screenshot below)

4. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

5. Select the location to where you would like to save the backup image at, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: See the Warning box at the top of the tutorial. Only the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions can backup to a network location.

6. If available, check any additional hard drives or partitions (ex: Vista) that you would like to include in the backup image with the Windows 7 (System and C: ) partition or hard drive, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: See the WARNING box at the top of the tutorial. If you do not want to add any additional hard drives or partitions, then just leave the others unchecked. You will not see this, if you do not have any other OS installed other than Windows 7.

7. Click on the Start backup button. (See screenshot below)

8. You will now see this window. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you wish to stop creating the backup image during this point, click on the Stop backup, Stop, and Close buttons.

9. When it is finished you will see this create a System Repair disc pop-up window. Click on No. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For how to always hide or show this message, see this tutorial.

10. Click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)

11. Close the Backup and Restore window. (See screenshot below step 3)
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7
• How to Backup and Restore the Windows 7 Registry
• How to Enable or Disable the Ability to Create a System Image in Windows 7
• How to Extract Files from Windows 7 System Image using Virtual PC
• How to Extract Windows 7 System Image Files Using Disk Management
• Imaging with free Macrium
• How to Restore your System with a Broken Windows 7 System Image
• How to Manually Extract Files from a Backup in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Backing up to a CD or DVD in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Backing up to Local Hard Disks in Windows 7
• How to Delete Windows 7 User Data and System Image Backup Files
• How to Create a "Create a System Image" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show "Do you want to create a system repair disc?" Message
• How to Fix Backup Error 0x81000019 in Windows 7
• New Installation: How to Create a General System Image in Audit Mode

 

[GabRieL]

That is probably the best solution.. I just bought a 500gb external drive for $75.00 new so you shouldnt get hurt too bad, just remember to format it to NTFS first....

yea im looking at a Western Digital 500GB hard drive from 80 dollars...looks like thats the best deal at bestbuy.ca, i remember paying 250 dollars for a seagate 250gb like 4 years ago lol...gotta love technology!

 

[Tews]

Thats the drive that I bought today .. good form old bean!!!

 

[robinb9]

i got the wd 1tb for $100- I saw the 500gig for $80 but for $20 and no shipping charges I just felt it was worth it

robin

 

[Night Hawk]

Hope you didn't get the Green Power 1tb model! I have two of those as well as having pulled a 500gb GP model out of an external casing for testing 7 back when the betas were first out and the GP models work for storage only for some reason.

One problem seen here when trying to make a complete backup with the first 64bit retail install before getting the 1tb WD Black edition model was the image turned out to be 1.2tb in size?! For the new drive now in I would need the WD 2tb model! All this before files(only 20gb) were loaded onto the drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Wish I'd seen this before now. Would have save a lot of typing!

Thanks, another great one Brink

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Greg. Thank you.

 

[gregrocker]

You might want to take a look at this: http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...ckup-fails-error-0x8007007b-3.html#post457081

 

[DrLangly]

Hello. Im new here. Im just trying to make a backup image of the computer in its exact state and put it onto a dvd or two so i can backup. I bought this Dell Inspiron laptop and when i got it in the mail, no windows 7 re installation came with it.

I went to CONTROL PANEL > SYSTEM AND SECURITY > BACKUP AND RESTORE and selected CREATE A SYSTEM IMAGE from the left side panel. Im already on DVD 4....seems like its going to be way to big...

Is there a way for me to do this another way so i can re-install windows 7 in the current state my pc is in if something were to happen to it?

HELP!

 

[wallyinnc]

Hi DrLangly, welcome to the forums.
I expect it will be at least 10 DVDs, depending on how much bloatware they had installed. the system image copies everything in your HD
The better way to use the system image is to put it in an external HD or another internal HD.

If you want to create a bootable DVD with the system files only, you might try this tutorial

 

[DrLangly]

Wow wally, thank you for such a timely response. Believe it or not, i do computer work freelance at the moment, im just so new to windows 7 and some of the new menu's and such. Although the pc came with quite the amount of bloatware, i've stripped it bare, and installed only essential tools and always maintain a lightweight, clean and smooth running PC or Lappy.

Thank you for the recommendation on that thread, i'll go look at it now.

Again, thanks for such a timely response!

 

[Brink]

Hello DrLangly, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Most OEM computers these days do not come with a set of OEM Recovery discs anymore. Usually they will have a option for you to create (burn) your own set through the OEM partition instead. Depending on what type you have, these two links from Dell will help show you how to create a set OEM Windows 7 Recovery discs to be able to use to do a factory restore of Windows 7 with.

Dell - Support

or

Dell - Support


Creating a system image will take up a few DVDs since the backup image will basically be the same size as what is used on your hard drive. Each single sided DVD can hold around 4.7 GB on average. It's usually best to save system image backup onto another hard drive or partition instead because of this.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[wallyinnc]

My pleasure, let us know if that works, then others can benefit from your success!

 

[SIW2]

Hi Dr Langly,

If you use a FREE 3rd party app. to create the image for you - it will be almost half the size of the Windows one.

Try these :

PARAGON:

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Free Edition

How to Create an Image with Paragon B&R 10

How to Restore Data with Paragon B&R 10


MACRIUM:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

How to create a disk image with Macrium Reflect

How to create the Macrium Linux rescue CD

How to recover your PC using the Linux rescue CD

There are many reports of Windows System Image failing towards the end of placing an image on dvd's

You will probabaly find, as Shawn said - you can create a Dell image as well. However that will return you to the state you bought the pc - all your data, programs, and settings will not be restored.

If you make your image using a 3rd party app.- every now and again - you can restore everything as it was at the time you made the image.

 

[DrLangly]

Okay, the link in the other thread links me to a Atomic MPC website with a description for VLITE as a "Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package"

Am i looking at the right one?

 

[DrLangly]

Ok, correction mates;

My girlfriend just stated she "just found" the bag of discs that came with it. It comes with a re-installation DVD of Windows 7 and neccesary drivers. Nevermind for the laptop!

But, I have a brand new ACER machine at home. Its a desktop computer and i DONT have a re-installation DVD for that pc. Im weary of using the DELL cd on it in an emergency. Bottom line is i just want a re-installation cd for my ACER now.


I am going to follow this link. Will this work?

 

[SIW2]

It would be interesting to see what is inside the Dell Recovery partition . You may well find the installation files and be able to make your own bootable installer - as Wally says.

If you have a chance - please post a screenie of the contents of the dell recovery partition.

Thanks.

Wow wally, thank you for such a timely response. Believe it or not, i do computer work freelance at the moment, im just so new to windows 7 and some of the new menu's and such. Although the pc came with quite the amount of bloatware, i've stripped it bare, and installed only essential tools and always maintain a lightweight, clean and smooth running PC or Lappy.

Thank you for the recommendation on that thread, i'll go look at it now.

Again, thanks for such a timely response!

 

[DrLangly]

The 'Contents' of the recovery partition? Explain

It would be interesting to see what is inside the Dell Recovery partition . You may well find the installation files and be able to make your own bootable installer - as Wally says.

If you have a chance - please post a screenie of the contents of the dell recovery partition.

Thanks.

Wow wally, thank you for such a timely response. Believe it or not, i do computer work freelance at the moment, im just so new to windows 7 and some of the new menu's and such. Although the pc came with quite the amount of bloatware, i've stripped it bare, and installed only essential tools and always maintain a lightweight, clean and smooth running PC or Lappy.

Thank you for the recommendation on that thread, i'll go look at it now.

Again, thanks for such a timely response!

 

[SIW2]

Yes it is glitch on the MPC site - the download is fine.

Just d/l v1.6 and you're good.

You may need to give the recovery partition a drive letter just rt click it in Disk Management and assign whatever letter it offers.

It is worth showing Hidden files as well - go to Folder Options>View>Dot Show Hidden Files and Untick Hide protected operating system files . Apply, OK.



You should then be able to see what's in it like any other partition.

In the same way this guy took a shot of his C partition:



That is an HP machine - he found an .iso ( which he burned to dvd and used to reinstall). Strangely, it was in a Hidden Folder on the C drive.



It would be more normal to find either an .iso, or the actual installation files - in the recovery partition.

 

[SIW2]

Anybody got an HP notebook - want to have a look and see if you have an.iso in a Hidden folder on the root of C?

 

[Night Hawk]

There's one here with Vista presently on it if that helps any? The recovery partition there is about 7gb in size likely being everything compressed to save on drive space however.

The manufacturer's guide is usually the best method for preinstalled OSs while still seeing the bloatware they add into the mix unfortunately. :sarc: That maintains all of the serial number and other information including the preactivation for that machine something to consider.

A slight update here now seeing some 131gb involved for a complete backup of the 1tb host/boot drive onto dvd-rw media. Think 11 blanks will be enough? 47.85gb between the 11 was the total amount available.

Time to get some more new blanks I guess! Sometime optical media simply doesn't suffice!

Meanwhile I simply went from there to the actual backup folder first used on the RC.