Solved Simple question about Windows 7 System Image

[UnknownReverent]

I know you can create a system image in Windows 7, but I was always curious about what it really does. Is it basically like a recovery that comes with pre-built computers? Like the "press F8 for recovery" option? Or... for another example, the recovery cd/dvd that comes with the computer? I know you obviously don't get those options when making it. You have to go into either the control panel, system repair disc, or Windows 7 dvd you have. I know how I would use it, but I'm just curious if that's actually what it does. Also, does it completely format the drive when you use it like a recovery would for a pre-built computer that you buy and put Windows back on it with what you backed up?

 

[Britton30]

A system image is an exact copy of your install at the moment you create it. It will have all your user accounts, programs you installed, settings, etc. A OEM recovery disk will reinstall w7 just as it came from the factory along with all the trial crap and bloatware on it. The drive will be reformatted when you restore an image.

I prefer Macrium Reflect for imaging over the w7 built in one. Macrium will give you options for the image, Windows doesn't.

 

[UnknownReverent]

A system image is an exact copy of your install at the moment you create it. It will have all your user accounts, programs you installed, settings, etc. A OEM recovery disk will reinstall w7 just as it came from the factory along with all the trial crap and bloatware on it. The drive will be reformatted when you restore an image.

I prefer Macrium Reflect for imaging over the w7 built in one. Macrium will give you options for the image, Windows doesn't.

So it's basically like a recovery disk/partition that comes with an OEM computer, but you create it yourself? That's basically what I'm asking. It formats the hard drive back to the image that you created?

 

[AddRAM]

Exactly, except you have to boot from the disc. It works perfectly.

 

[UnknownReverent]

Exactly, except you have to boot from the disc. It works perfectly.

You can boot from the disc, startup repair, or control panel depending on if you can get on your computer or boot anything. I just want to make sure it formats the drive completely and installs the image that you saved. I've had some things like overwrite what I have and have a Windows (Old) folder. I just want to be sure it doesn't do that and does exactly what an OEM recovery does. If anyone gets what I mean.

 

[Britton30]

An image will not do what an OEM recovery does. OEM will erase all your date, an image will not, both will however reformat the drive. I hope you will store the image on another drive than what you're restoring it to.

 

[UnknownReverent]

An image will not do what an OEM recovery does. OEM will erase all your date, an image will not, both will however reformat the drive. I hope you will store the image on another drive than what you're restoring it to.

So basically an image will still have some of the files from my old OS when I use it? I just want it to erase everything from my old one. Basically like a reinstall, but with all the files I saved to the image.

 

[AddRAM]

It sounds like you`re not understanding this.

It will restore your pc to the exact way it was when you made the image, with all the files and programs you had at that time.

 

[UnknownReverent]

It sounds like you`re not understanding this.

It will restore your pc to the exact way it was when you made the image, with all the files and programs you had at that time.

I think I've made this a bit more confusing than I should have. What I'm trying to say is, will it erase everything that was on my drive prior to using the image to restore the OS, programs, etc.?

 

[AddRAM]

The answer is no, it won`t.

It will erase, actually the term is delete, everything you added after you made the image. That is why it`s a good practice to make frequent images if you have the space.

 

[UnknownReverent]

The answer is no, it won`t.

It will erase, actually the term is delete, everything you added after you made the image. That is why it`s a good practice to make frequent images if you have the space.

Then I guess it's no use to what I want. I want to make something like a recovery that comes with a pre-built computer that you can buy.

I didn't see you edited after that. That sounds a bit more interesting, and may be worth it then. I'm trying to wrap my head around what it fully does. That's all.

 

[AddRAM]

Well then you would have to order recovery discs from your manufacturer, if you don`t already have a recovery partition.

Like I said it takes a picture of your C: drive, and what ever else you want, in the state that it`s in at that moment. And when you restore it in the future, because of a problem or whatever, you have windows back in just a few minutes.

 

[UnknownReverent]

Well then you would have to order recovery discs from your manufacturer, if you don`t already have a recovery partition.

It's not for a computer that I bought. I built it myself. I've been trying to figure out how to make something that would wipe my hard drive and reinstall it how I saved that image or recovery. I'm trying to figure out how an image works exactly. For example, if I got a virus (Never have *knock on wood*) and used the image, would that virus disappear? I know if you use a recovery, which is much like reinstalling the OS, it would get rid of it generally speaking. Also, could I use the image if my hard drive failed and got a new one and put it on that?

 

[AddRAM]

Yes it would delete any viruses. You should be scanning everything you download b4 you open it anyway. In theory, yes you should be able to use the image to install it on a new hard drive, but don`t quote me on that. In my opinion that is what it should be used for. As long as you stored the image on another hard drive.

The idea is to get your pc how you want it then make the image, if you have a problem you can`t fix just restore the image and wola your done. It beats installing all your programs over again doesn`t it ????

And the updates and the......... i could go on and on.......

 

[UnknownReverent]

Yes it would delete any viruses. You should be scanning everything you download b4 you open it anyway. In theory, yes you should be able to use the image to install it on a new hard drive, but don`t quote me on that. In my opinion that is what it should be used for. As long as you stored the image on another hard drive.

I do scan everything. Like I said, I'm just trying to figure out what exactly it does. To your question earlier, yes I will be putting it on a different drive other than the one I'm imaging. I'm assuming that you could create an image from an SSD as well? That's why I've been trying to figure all this out. I'll be getting my first SSD in a few days. I was planning on creating an image after I installed everything that I want on it. The OS, updates, and a few applications. I was going to put the image on my HDD and my external drive.

 

[AddRAM]

Should be no problem, but after you throw in the ssd give it some time to put things the way you want.

Good Luck and ask any questions b4 you attempt something if you are not sure.

The people here r Great !!!

 

[UnknownReverent]

Should be no problem, but after you throw in the ssd give it some time to put things the way you want.

Good Luck and ask any questions b4 you attempt something if you are not sure.

The people here r Great !!!

I've already figured out the SSD, and I know how I want to install everything. Thanks for the help, and sorry if I made it more confusing than I should have.

 

[AddRAM]

No problem.

Ok time to get some...

 

[UnknownReverent]

No problem.

Ok time to get some...

Same for me after I watch the rest of my show, lol. Thanks again.