Difference with System Image + Back Up Files?

lister

New member
Power User
Local time
12:16 AM
Messages
259
Hi Windows 7 Ships with a feature to back up AND create a system image...

Sorry if this is a real dumb question but whats the difference? They seem the same to me?

Thanks
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Panasonic Toughbook CF F9
OS
Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
Hi Windows 7 Ships with a feature to back up AND create a system image...

Sorry if this is a real dumb question but whats the difference? They seem the same to me?

Thanks

Image is a byte by byte copy including boot files and hidden, and system files. Backup is most frequently used with data and can be the whole partition, one HD, or files and folders



Ken J
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv-7 1005 Tx
OS
Win 8 Release candidate 8400
CPU
[email protected]
Memory
4 gigs
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 9600M
Sound Card
HD built-in
Monitor(s) Displays
17" Wxga
Screen Resolution
1440x900
Cooling
none
Internet Speed
45Mb down 5Mb up
The main difference is the way information is saved and returned to your system, or better said how it can be saved and returned.

Backup normally lets you choose what to backup, you must not want to backup everything. It might be you just want to backup your own files and folders but not the installed applications and so on. Same thing when restoring backup copies of your files; you can choose what to restore.

A system image is a complete copy of everything on your system drive, and could also include other drives on your system. It stores absolutely everything, from boot settings and files to your desktop settings and favourite folders. When (hopefully never!) your system crashes, computer won't boot any more, you can in most cases restore the image. This restores your computer to exactly the same state than when the image was created. Every smallest detail is restored; apps as you had them installed, emails stored by Outlook or other email client, all your documents, pics and music, in fact absolutely everything you had stored on your system.

I use system image backup exclusively. If I need to restore individual files, I can attach the image as virtual disk and extract files I need, as described in these two tutorials:
Kari
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
when choosing options in the "Manage Space" area of Backup+Restore, is it necessary to keep more than the most recent system image, or is it preferable (in the event of a catastrophe) to let Windows manage backup space in which case it would use up about one-third of my external hard drive space, which is less preferable?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Back
Top