How to Create a Windows Backup Image
Creating a full backup image of your computer is a way to back up the current setup of your system, including programs, drives and files. When restoring a backup image, the image overwrites your entire system and restores it to the point when the backup image was created. In Windows Vista Business, Vista Enterprise or Vista Ultimate, you can use the Windows Complete PC Backup to create a Windows backup. In Windows 7 you can create a system image from the Backup menu.
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Instructions
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Create a Backup Image in Windows Vista
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Open the "Start" menu and select "Control Panel." Click "System and Maintenance."
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Choose "Back up your computer" from the "Backup and Restore" heading. This will open the "Backup and Restore" center.
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Click "Back up computer" to use Windows Complete PC Backup function. It will create an image of your computer's current setup.
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Choose where you would like to save the backup. The backup can be saved to a DVD or external hard drive. Click "Next."
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Confirm your settings and click "Start backup" to begin the backup creation process. Click "Close" after the backup image is successfully created.
Create a Backup Image in Windows 7
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Open the start menu and select "Control Panel." Choose "System and Security."
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Click "Backup and Restore" from the "System and Security" window. This opens up the Windows 7 "Backup and Restore" center.
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Click "Create system image" in the menu on the left side of the window.
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Choose where you would like the backup to be saved. This must be on a separate drive or DVD. Windows 7 will not allow you to save a system image to your primary hard drive. Click "Next."
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Click "Start backup" to save the system image. Windows 7 will give you the option to create a system repair disk along with the system image. Click "Close" after the backup image is completed.
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Tips & Warnings
You can save system images on multiple DVDs if the backup is too large to fit on one.
