How To Create Windows 7 System Image

A Windows 7 feature called system image helps fix this problem easily. It creates a perfect snapshot of your entire hard drive at this moment: documents, email, pictures, and so on, plus Windows, and all your programs and settings. If your entire hard drive is stolen, or completely dead, you’d still be able to install a new, empty one and restore back your system within an hour.

Make it a habit to create a fresh system image every couple of months, once you have installed new programs and changed settings in between. I suggest you do this backup on a regular basis by creating image at the same time provided you have the disk space.

To create a system image in Windows 7, here’s what you do:

1. Click on Start -> Run and type Backup to open up the “Backup And Restore” Program
2. In the left pane window, click “Create a system image.” Authenticate if necessary.

Create System Images In Windows 7

3. You’re be asked what media you would like to store the backup image file.

You can backup to an external hard drive (must be NTFS formatted), USB memory stick, a stack of CDs or DVDs, or (if you have the Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7) or a computer on the network.

Create System Images In Windows 7

Just make sure the media you chose have a lots of empty disk space. This is because all you’re the empty spaces and temporary files on your pc will not be backup.

4. Once you’ve selected the media to use, click on Next.

5. You’re be asked to select your backup location— which hard drive or network folder, for example. If you going to back up to discs, you’re told how many you’ll need. (Hint: It’s going to be lot of them.)

Create System Images In Windows 7

6. Click “Start backup”; the backup begins. You’ll be prompted when you need to insert new DVDs or other discs.

7. You’ll see a progress meter display as the images is created and backup.

8. After the image backup is completed, Windows will ask if you’d like it to burn a system repair disc—a CD or DVD in case your pc won’t start. It’s an excellent idea.