Windows 7: Create a System Image

This is the screen where you can create a system image in Windows 7.

Windows 7 comes with an option of creating a system image or hard disk image.

You can take snapshot of your Windows partition which will contain Windows and all the programs along with settings and files. This is a similar functionality that is provided in the by software tools like Acronis True Image to backup your computer and restore it when something goes wrong.

The advantage of using this tool is that you don’t have to reinstall Windows 7 if it becomes unbootable and irreparable; you just have to restore the image that you have taken which will overwrite the current unbootable volume and restore the files, programs and all settings as it was present when the system image was taken.

The system image that is created will be stored in a different partition, please note Windows 7 will not be able to create the snapshot or system image in the same partition which is being backed up.

1. Go to Start Menu >> Control Panel >> System & Security >> Backup and Restore >> Create System Image

2. Now the system will ask you to choose the backup location for saving the system image, there are three options available:

• System image can be saved on different hard disk partition.

• You can save the system image on DVDs. The no of DVDs required will be equal to the size of the partition that you are backing up.

• The system image can also be stored in a network location or drive.

3. In addition to the Windows 7 partition you can also backup any other partition along with that, choose the partitions in addition to the Windows 7 based on your requirement.

4. A summary of partition that is getting backed up and the target location of the backup is displayed. To start the backup or start the imaging process hit the ‘Start backup’ button.

5. Now wait for the backup process to complete. After the backup is complete the system will prompt you to create system repair disc, if you have not created it then you can create it.

6. You can see that there is a folder created in target drive called WindowsImageBackup, this folder contains all the data that was backed up and don’t delete this folder.

An image of your computer has now been taken and you can use it later when you want to restore your Windows 7 from the image.