What is a System Image Backup?A System Image Backupcreates a backup image image of your disk volume, includingthe Windows system files ( C:Windows),your system settings, programs, along with any personalfiles or documents stored on the disk volume. You can restore your computer from the backup image.Windows Server offers Windows Server Backup, which isbasically the same thing with additional options and features. How Windows System Image Backup WorksThe Volume Shadow Service (VSS) creates a temporary snapshotof the original disk. The Windows Backup Engine (wbengine.exe)copies the temporary snapshot to a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) file that is locatedon another hard disk, or on DVD, or on the network. The temporary snapshotensures that the backup captures a single point in time.If the VHD is located on a second hard disk, VSS createsa second persistent snapshot on the second hard disk.When making a subsequent backup from the same original disk to the same VHD,wbengine.exe coordinates with VSS to use thesnapshotto store only the changed disk blocks from the original disk in theVHD. This allows you to make incremental backups that containonly the disk blocks that changed after the first backup. This cangreatly speed up future backup operations.To restore an older backup the old snapshot of the second disk usedas the data source.
How Windows System Image restores the Windows volume (C:)To restore a backup of the Windows volume (C:),wbengine.exeboots the computer into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).WinRE opens the VHD file in the second disk that contains thebackup data, copies the VHD file to C:, then reboots the computer. How Windows System Image restores a data volumeTo restore a backup of a data volume (not C:), wbengine.exeopens the VHD file contained in the second disk that contains thebackup data, copies the VHD file tothe original disk, then it dismounts the VHD file. How Windows System Image restores an old Windows volume (C:)To restore an old backup of the Windows volume (C:),wbengine.exeboots the computer into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).WinRE exposes and mounts the old snapshot of the second disk,opens the VHD file in the old snapshot that contains thebackup data, copies the VHD file to C:, then reboots the computer. How Windows System Image restores an old data volumeTo restore an old backup of a data volume (not C:), wbengine.exeexposes and mounts the old snapshot of the second disk,opens the VHD file contained in the snapshot of the second disk,copies the VHD file to the original disk,then it dismounts the VHD file and finally unexposes the enclosing physical snapshot.
It's been around since , and hasn't touched it since. You won't find it in the Settings app where you likely first turn when you need to perform a bit of system maintenance on your PC.
Since creating system image backup is so necessary, it is essential that you know how to get it done. Windows provides a system image backup software tool that can help you in creating the system image. The following is a guide which provides step-wise instructions on how to create a system image in Windows 7. Mar 21, 2019 Windows 10 offers several ways to back up and recover your data. One toolset that you might be used to from Windows 7 is the ability to create a full system image backup.
Instead, it's hiding out in the the old Windows Control Panel. What it is is the ability to create a full system backup, which you can use to restore your PC should it fail, become corrupted or otherwise stop operating smoothly.Because the tool to create a system image is somewhat buried in , let's shine a light on where it's located and how to use it. Steps to create a backup system image1. Open the Control Panel (easiest way is to search for it or ask Cortana).2. Click System and Security3. Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7)Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET4. Click Create a system image in the left panel5.
You have options for where you want to save the backup image: external hard drive or DVDs. I suggest the former, even if your computer has a DVD-RW drive, so connect your external drive to your PC, select On a hard disk and click Next.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET6. Click the Start backup button.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETAfter the system image is created, you'll be asked if you want to create a system repair disc.
This puts your image on a CD or DVD, which you can use to access the system image you created if your PC won't boot. Don't worry if your laptop doesn't have a CD or DVD drive; you can skip this step and boot the system from the system image on your external hard drive. How to recover your PC using your system imageTo use your system image to restore your PC, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security Recovery. In the Advanced startup section, click the Restart now button.
When your PC restarts, go to Troubleshoot Advanced Options System Image Recovery and follow the instructions to restore your PC using your the system image you created.