How to Create a System Image in Windows 7
The new backup utilities in Windows 7 are actually pretty impressive and creating an image will be possible in all versions. Today we take a look at creating a backup image of your machine without the need for a third party utility like Ghost or True Image.
You just just finished installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 on your computer and have it set up to your liking. One of the first things you should do now is create an image of the disc so in the event of a crash you will be able to restore it to its current state. An image is an exact copy of everything on the drive and will restore it back to its current state. It’s probably best to create an image when everything is clean and organized on your system. This will make the image file smaller and allows you to restore the system with a smooth running set up.
Creating an Image in Windows 7
Click on Start go to Getting Started and then select Back up your files.
Next click on the Create a system image hyperlink.
Decide where you want to save the image. You can choose an external drive, burn to multiple DVD’s, or store it on a network location.
You can include other drives if you want as well but remember that will add to the size of the final image.
At the confirmation screen notice the amount of space the image may take. If something doesn’t look right you can still go back from this point and make adjustments.
A progress meter is displayed while the images is created and backed up. In this example a disk of about 15GB in size took under 20 minutes backed up to an external drive. Times will vary depending on your system and where you’re backing it up to.
After the process is complete you get the option to create a system repair disc which you should do and make sure to save it in a secure location.
When it comes time to restore the image, you will be able to use the System Recovery Options to get the system back.
Image in Windows Vista
Vista Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise allow you to create an image, but Vista Home and Home Premium users do not have the option. The process is similar in Vista, type backup into the search bar and click on Backup and Restore Center.
Then click on Back up computer and the wizard will guide you through the process.
Conclusion
This is a extremely handy feature and it actually works well. It is also nice that the feature will be available in each edition of Windows 7 instead of just the higher end versions. This will save you some money in not having to spend $50-80 on a third party utility. You should create an image when everything is fresh on your system so the image is not too large and the essentials of you machine can quickly be restored. For instance I created an image after a fresh install and putting Office 2007 and a few of my most commonly used programs. The entire image came in around 10 GB which is easily stored on an external drive or a few DVD’s.
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Awesome!!!
This feature is only on Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate edition.
@GoodBytes:
The imaging feature was only available for the higher end versions of Vista, However, all versions of Windows 7 include the imaging feature…even Starter edition
Can the image then be restored to a different computer (same model) as in a computer lab environment?
On NeoSmart Technologies there is download for the Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit recovery discs. You may want to put link in your article, because I find helpful this download.
Download: http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/.....air-discs/
I have tried to do a complete system image as well as a repair disk with my Windows 7 Ultimate OS. But I am receiving ‘insert blank disk’ error message. but i am using new disks
Very usefull thanks!!!!!
You can only use a network drive location for W7 professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise; unfortunately.
I was bummed to find this out as I wanted to create an image for my laptop on a external drive attached to my desktop.
Now I have to unhook it and hook it directly to my laptop. More work, less convenient.
Excellent article! Have fun this Friday…
hi love the article on creating an image win,7 i may sound a bit thick or its late, can i/ or how do i get some articles emailed to me or downloaded to my computer ..my bloody hands killing me writing it all down yours in kind anticipation
m a skinner
ps, i have signed up for your email service, keep up the good work.
I can confirm Mysticgeek’s statement that the imaging feature is available on all versions of Windows 7. I have Windows 7 Home Premium and it is available to me.
I recently installed Windows 7 Ultimate on my laptop. I also installed a NAS (from Seagate) I went into Microsoft backup and restore to take my initial backup. There is about 10gig of user files including a music library. The backup started running and it looked like it was going to take about 6 hours. The status screen showed the files being copied and then it changed to saying Creating System Image of C. The whole process slowed down and after running 18 hours shows that it is 75% completed. Is this normal. My laptop is connected wirelessly to the router and the NAS is connected into the back of the router on a 10/100 port. Should it take this long? Any ideas what could be taking so long
While it appears that Home Premium edition will allow you to “setup backup”, it will not recognize any network drives. Onlooker is correct.