Solved How to make a backup of Windows 7 OS

[BIG4570]

I just picked up a new laptop with windows 7 on it. It didn't come with any discs and I'd like to make a backup a copy of the OS for re-store discs. Is it possible?

 

[torrentg]

No.

 

[BIG4570]

So what do I do if I need to format my hard drive?

 

[torrentg]

Obtain a DVD of Windows 7 through authorized purchase. If it was legally included on your machine at purchase, contact the vendor for a DVD.

 

[BIG4570]

I already purchased a valid copy when I bought the laptop with Windows 7 pre-installed.

 

[ThePurifier]

Go to Start Menu and type backup and click Backup & Restore - can make a whole system image there

 

[torrentg]

He means for a new clean install - "backup a copy of the OS"

But ya, that's a fine idea too.

Personally, I'd want the clean install DVD.

 

[Brink]

Hello BIG4570, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What brand is your laptop? Most of them have the option to create a set of OEM Windows 7 Recovery Discs from to use them, or your recovery partition, to do a factory restore of Windows 7 with.

You can also use the System Image Backup feature in Windows 7 to make a clone of your current installation with that can be used to restore it back as it was.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[BIG4570]

Thanks all, its a Gateway NV Series. With Winows 7 Premium 64bit. Just a question about creating a system image. If someday I pick up some kind of funky virus, will it format the drive first then restore the image of my system at the time the image was created?

 

[PhreePhly]

BIG4570,

You should be able to contact Gateway and get a set of system discs. OEMs are required to provide the install media by their contract with MS. As Brink noted above, your system may have a tool to create media. I would contact Gateway and just tell them that you want install media. They may charge a shipping fee to send to you.

PhreePhly

 

[veii]

Thanks all, its a Gateway NV Series. With Winows 7 Premium 64bit. Just a question about creating a system image. If someday I pick up some kind of funky virus, will it format the drive first then restore the image of my system at the time the image was created?

Yes.

Brink is right if you dig through the start menu there should be a link to make "Recovery DVDs". There has been on all the PCs I've bought in the last few years. They usually pop up the first time you use the computer.

 

[BIG4570]

Great thanks PhreePhly

 

[Brink]

Thanks all, its a Gateway NV Series. With Winows 7 Premium 64bit. Just a question about creating a system image. If someday I pick up some kind of funky virus, will it format the drive first then restore the image of my system at the time the image was created?

Yes, when restoring the system image, it will format you Windows 7 partition and then restore the image to it to have Windows 7 as it was when the system image was created.

The link below from Gateway will show you how to create a set of Windows 7 Recovery Discs and a Applications and Drivers disc for your computer. These will let you format and restore Windows 7 back like it was the day you first turned on your computer.

Gateway Support - Create System Recovery Discs for the Applications and Drivers External Media in the Gateway Recovery Center