Windows 7: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Hello GranPaSmurf,

It would only need to be the same if your were doing a repair install. You can use any retail Windows 7 installation DVD to do a System Image Recovery with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

got it, thanks. installing right along...

You're most welcome. :)

If I ever get a new pc and want to have all the tweaks i've done to this one, can I use a backup to get this on the new pc or just redo everything?

This may have been covered before and I read that it's best to start fresh instead of importing corrupted files over, but is there a way to save all my tweaks i've done on this machine like custom folder icons, wmp 12 color, and adding move to/copy to right click?

That's what imaging is for.

An image contains all your tweaks, all your programs, all your data, all your license info, etc. EVERYTHING in the partition.

Suppose you make an image of your existing PC that has Windows 7 and then buy a new PC that has Windows 8. If you then restore the image of Windows 7 to the Windows 8 PC, it would take you back from Windows 8 to Windows 7. Maybe not what you would want to do in that case.

You can always make 2 partitions and keep your data on one and Windows on the other. You could then back up each partition separately.

Is the Image Backup the same size as what's being backed up? I have a 1TB HDD and 120GB SSD. Let's say they're both maxed out and I want to make a System Image Backup, will I need larger than a 1.1TB backup drive? I'm about to order a backup drive and trying to decide between a 1TB and 1.5TB drive.

Images are usually (or can be) compressed so their size will be between 20 and 40 % smaller. Compressed images take longer to make, and longer to restore so use with care.

If you have more than a Tb that needs backing up its time for spring cleaning.


Ken J

Does the Home Basic installation DVD comes with this Restore feature? I'd be using Anytime Upgrade to upgrade to Ultimate and I just want to know if this is the best solution in case my upgrade fails?

Hello Yeroman,

Yes, all editions of Windows 7 includes the System Image and backup features. However, the Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium editions cannot backup to a network location. Only to a local internal or external HDD.

Creating a system image to be saved to a separate HDD would be the best option in your case to easily be able to a system image recovery to restore everything with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Brink (Shawn),
I'm a newbie to this forum and WOW it's brilliant.:)

Have read all the replies and I have a question regarding storing multiple images on one seperate HDD? i.e. backup HDD.
I am looking at using an additional HDD for all my system backups/Images (1TB), you have stated that each image is placed in a folder (noting the naming issues when restoring, renaming to default name), can I add the date to the folder name or is it pointless because the image file will have this?
Using a naming convention of "01-02-03" etc is not descriptive of when it was created.
I guess I'm asking for advice on an appropriate descriptive naming convention for multiple images/backups.

One other question Brink please, is there an integrity test for the images to ensure they are useable when restoring?

Thanks,
John.