How do I backup the complete system drive

[DanKoz]

Hopefully, I have the proper discussion group.

I am running some older software, most notably Adobe CS6, that has been automatically updated without the update files first being downloaded and stored on my computer. My computer is about 5 years old and I am concerned that if I have a hard drive crash I will lose many of my programs and be unable to reinstall the automatic updates (they may not longer be supported by the vendors). I will have the same problem if I buy a new computer.

I am wondering how I can backup the ENTIRE C: drive, my system drive (program files, windows files, registry, etc.), so that in the event that it crashes I can offload the backup to a new hard drive and quickly pickup from where I left off. In the event of a problem I would like to be able to boot from the backup drive or copy it to a new hard drive and continue as though nothing had happened. Is that possible?

I have two external Seagate backup drives, but they do not seem to be backing up the ENTIRE C: drive even if I check every folder for backup.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[maxseven]

Get yourself an Imaging backup program like Macrium Reflect or Acronis True Image or etc. and store multiple copies of your entire base computer hard drive on both of your two Seagates.

 

[whs]

See Here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[whs]

You can also backup with command prompt. If you use this command, everything relevant will be backed up.

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:S: -include:C: -AllCritical -quiet

"S" would be the disk to where you backup. The image is stored in the root of S.

 

[maxseven]

You can also backup with command prompt. If you use this command, everything relevant will be backed up.

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:S: -include:C: -AllCritical -quiet

"S" would be the disk to where you backup. The image is stored in the root of S.

I've been computing forever whs and although I've probably seen this one somewhere past it's nice to have you post about it.

It's not clear to me from a quick look at /help how one would RESTORE using wbadmin, but no doubt it's there somewhere. I do wonder if anyone has made a GUI front-end for this (well I suppose it is MS' own Backup and Restore control panel).

Somewhere no doubt is detailed the shortcomings of this method that caused many of us to embrace e.g. Acronis and Macrium and etc.

 

[whs]

For Restore: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc742118.aspx

 

[Layback Bear]

From whs post #6

For Restore: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/.../cc742118.aspx

Updated: January 2, 2014
Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8

It doesn't mention Windows 7.

If one doesn't want to use Macrium Reflect there are option built into Windows 7. I use Macrium myself.

Some tutorials by Brink.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html



At the bottom of the tutorial their are many more options.

• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
• How to Create a "Create a System Image" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to Do a System Restore 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
• 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 Create a System Recovery Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Backup and Restore Shortcut
• How to Restore a Partition Image From a HDD to a SSD
• How to Delete Windows 7 User Data and System Image Backup Files
• How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows System Image Recovery
• New Installation: How to Create a General System Image in Audit Mode

 

[whs]

True Jack - but it may still work. Have a look at this restore procedure.

How to Create and Restore System Image Backups on Windows 8.1

And again, it would have to be tested in W7.