How can I backup my whole operating system plus installed softwares?

[muhammadali]

I use drive 'C' as OS' drive and install all the other software on drive 'D'. I use a lot of softwares so if my system crashes I do have to install all the softwares. I want to backup my operating system as well as drive 'D' and when I recover my system it should install OS plus all the softwares.

I wish to keep my backups on the same HDD (but on different partition off-course).
Should I just write my OS drive's image on a CD/DVD to recover windows (plus softwares) or what?

 

[seavixen32]

Please check this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/632-backup-user-system-files-reset-default-configuration.html

You are better to backup to an external drive. If you backup to another partition on your hard drive and it fails, you lose everything - Windows, applications, personal data, backups - the lot.

 

[pparks1]

You want to use a backup program that creates a "system image".

Look at Macrium Reflect Free, EaseUS ToDoBackup (free) and Acronis True image (not free, but pretty cheap). These do exactly what you are you trying to accomplish.

In fact, windows 7 has a built-in Windows imaging tool as well. it doesn't have lots of nifty features, but technically it works.

 

[mjf]

Windows Inbuilt
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html
An excellent free Imaging application I and many forum members would recommend
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download