Using Windows 7 Image Backup Tool

We have been using third-party utilities like Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect to create image backup of our installed Vista or any other drives. Gone are the days when you had to use third-party applications to create image backup.

But with Windows 7 everything is possible now. Just say good bye to Acronis True Image before we get into the innards of this post. We can now create image (clone) backup of drives easily using the in-built Image Backup feature. Though there are few limitations basic Windows user will find it very useful. So how to access and use this feature?

1. Open Control Panel, under System and Security open Backup your computer option.

2. In the lift pane, open the link “Create an image backup”.

3. Select the destination drive or Optical drive or network location to store backup files.

 

4.Click Next to include/exclude drives in the image backup.Note that the disk that Windows is installed on will always be included in the backup.You cannot include the disk that you are saving the backup to.

5.In the next step Windows 7 will give a last chance to confirm the backup settings you have chosen in the last step.Once you are agree with the backup settings just click Start backup button to start backup process.Backup process few minutes to hours depending on the size of the disk.

6.After finishing the backup process Windows 7 prompts you an option to create a recovery CD so that you can restore the created image using the bootable recovery disc.

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