How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
Restoring a Windows System Image
If your system has become unstable or won’t boot, it may be time to restore a previously created system image. Like the Backup process, there are a few ways to restore back your computer using the backup image that you created.
Method #1
From one of the icon views in Control Panel, select Recovery. Click Advanced Recovery methods and select the first option that says “Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer”.
Because the system image restore will delete ALL files currently on the system, you will be given the chance to backup any files that weren’t in the original system image. If you have files to backup, then click Back up now and do so, otherwise click Skip. Click the Restart button which will reboot your computer. Then simply enter your keyboard language.
Method #2
This is the next best option if Windows cannot start up. Turn on your computer and start tapping F8 key to get to the Advanced Boot options screen, then select Repair your computer. Not all systems will have this option, so if you don’t and method 1 isn’t working you will need to go to method 3.
Wait for the recovery mode to load, then select a keyboard layout and choose a username with a user’s password if there is one. Finally, on the System Recovery Options menu, click on System Image Recovery.
Method #3
It is also possible that the hard drive’s boot sector or master boot record has become corrupted and you can’t even get to the F8 Advanced Boot Options menu. In this case you will need to start the computer with a Windows 7 system repair disc created from within Windows or a Windows install DVD which you may already have or can download and burn the ISO image. After pressing any key to boot, choose your language and keyboard layout, click Next and then click Repair your computer at the bottom.
After the Windows install is searched for and detected (it doesn’t matter if it isn’t found), click on “Restore your computer using a system image that you created earlier”, then Next.
Whichever method above was used, you will finally end up at the Select a system image backup screen. If you saved the image to another hard drive, it will be automatically selected for restore and you can simply click Next to begin. Use the Select a system image option and follow the instructions to look for a DVD backup or a network location if needed.
If you’ve changed the partition structure on the drives since the backup, you won’t be able to use methods 1 or 2 and need to use method 3. This will give the option to reformat the drives to match the layout in the backup image. Obviously an option to use with care. After a few confirmation screens the process will begin and will eventually auto reboot the computer where you should be back into a working Windows.
Tip: When saving a backup to another hard drive, the System Imaging tool will always try to overwrite any previous backup and can’t by itself perform another one leaving the previous backup in place. There is a simple trick to get around this which is to rename the folder of the current backup from WindowsImageBackup to another name such as WindowsImageBackup_2013_Jan. A renamed folder WILL have to be renamed back though for the System Image tool to recognize it for a restore.
Hi,
My question is whether we can create a system image in safe mode or with installation media using win 7 in-built feature ? please answer. Thanks & Regards. …
There used to be a way that you could mount the image you created under windows 7 ult however I can n longer find the proper details to accomplish this goal. The command console was how you did it and it is was kind of difficult to understand. It is not through the use of the disk manager since it always gives me the blue screen of death when I try to do this.
Hi, after much frustration this guide has been fantastic… Right up until the last step when I get the message ‘No disc that can be used for recovering the system disc can be found’.
I’m using an external hdd with the system image and the windows boot CD as per the previous page of instructions, and a new internal ssd.
Any idea what I might be missing?
Thanks!
Both internal (new ssd) and external (USB hdd with system image, previously formatted) discs appear to be labelled as C: could this be causing confusion? Completely amateur guesswork here I’m afraid…
Be sure that the image is in the root of your HD or USB or DVD. It happened to me that I put the image on a sub-folder and Windows recovery wasn’t able to find it. Then I just put the recovery folder made by the Windows Recovery program on the root of the USB and it was able to find it and restore my system.
Hope it helps.
Well done; well-presented and very useful. Given the recent outbreak of ransomware I am advising all friends to create backup and recovery images. For some, it is already too late! Your instructions will help in explaining the process. Thank you
1. I have a laptop. Can I create an image of my C-Drive to an external drive that is a new, blank “internal” drive?–or must I purchase an “external” drive to create an image to?
2. Will creating an image of my internal C-Drive to an external drive cause the external drive to be formatted to a C-Drive, with the exact same name as the internal C-Drive?
3. When restoring a system image to a new internal drive on a laptop, I presume I would have to first install a new, blank internal drive into the laptop (formatted as a “C-Drive”?), and then boot up following the instructions on how to restore a system image from an external drive.
I really appreciate the effort that was made by the author to clarify the steps in creating a system image–Thank you!
Using the built in Windows System Image tool you cannot clone the C drive to another drive as it stores the backup as compressed files. You can, however, backup to any other drives that have been formatted (internal/USB/external).
If you are looking to clone or copy your C drive you would be better off using something like Macrium Reflect Free.
What do you think of Zinstall Backup?
It seems to be a pretty good way to do this sort of full image backup automatically (so that you don’t have to remember to do it), and they claim to be able to restore to different Windows versions.
Would be glad to hear your take.
Thanks again,
Jimmy
Hi, I am creating a system image and by default it has selected C:, System Reserved and D: (which is a HP Recovery Partition). All my data is saved in E:. I have not selected the E drive as part of the system image. (I back up this partition up via alternative means.) My question is, if I restore from the system image will it level the E: drive untouched?
Yes it will be untouched. Just make sure to not play around with or change the partition structure of the drive after the backup. That would be the only reason it might do something to E.
Does the recovery allow restoration to one partition? I think the screen said it would restore the ‘computer’ and I got spooked. I have other partitions I don’t want to mess with.
It will restore all partitions that affect the system, so it will restore C, the hidden boot partition and any others if boot files are on a separate partition as well.
I am trying to manage an image on 6 identical PCs (HP 840G1 with Win 7 Pro). Can I take an image from 1 machine and use it on the others? I realize I would need to change a few things like computer name and users. This would be much easier than using the WAIK tool set.
That should be possible although Windows might deactivate itself meaning you would have to reactive with the correct license. That would depend on whether you are using a full Windows license or one pre supplied by HP.
Using a system image, can I also restore my operating system from my current 32-bit Windows 7 (long story) to the 64-bit Windows 7 that came with my computer?
You can if you have a system image of your 64-bit Windows somewhere, or if you have a recovery partition which came as standard on your computer. If you have neither, you would need to install from scratch.
very good man
Your advice on the alternate way to start a system backup by sdclt /BLBBACKUPWIZARD got me out of a real fix as Control Panel “Backup your computer” has not worked since uninstalling Acronis 2011 which corrupted my system restore files.
I now have Acronis 2014 but like to have my Win 7 System Repair Disk being able to access the System Image backup just in case one of my Acronis backups were to fail.
I occasionally get a boot up message that Boot Mgr has failed or sometimes a Check Sum corrupted message after messing up my BIOS when overclocking so being able to recover when not able to boot up is vital.
Thank’s again
Chris,
Brisbane Australia
Unfortunately Windows system image does not work correctly. Rather than just creating a image of the Windows drive it wanted to include 2 terabytes from a hard drive used just for programs. Very disappointed, guess I’ll find a 3rd party solution.
You must disconnect all drives except system prior to backup or windows will expect all the drives connected to be present when restoring the system. AND, be sure to start the restore with the Last disk first or it does not restore. THEN, After restore the network name itself one higher number than before. It seems no way to reset the network to ONE only to rename it. Otherwise simply reinstall the system from the original retail install disk. It is frustrating that you must disconnect the auxiliary disks to restore the system. I try to make the system the smallest hard drive in the machine. If I could restore a messed up system with a single BRD that would be nice.
Simply great Ray! Thanks for sharing it. It really work for me.
this is what i have been using since Windows 7 was released and have had no problems.
It takes me on average 15 minutes to do a complete System Image Backup with Repair Disc for a 160 GB Hard Drive.
I don’t backup my Libraries as i have a 2nd partition for that.
I love Windows 7 Backup over 3rd party Software because i personally hate installing unnecessary software/bloatware which is usually common with 3rd party software.
The speed of Windows 7 Backup depends on your hardware. i.e. USB 2.0 or Firewire or if you’re burning to Disc.
this thing helped me recover from a major mess.
i wasn’t able to restore my system from System restore (i ran it from System Protection), quoting some problem with the antivirus program.
i ran the CD and it restored my system back like butter…….. !!! :)
thanks once again.
thanks buddy….
i am in a habit of curropting my os.
this tool will be helpful for me…
thanks again ^^
thanks ray. you’re blog is the best man, i visit most days. all the best…
Thank you, Ray
It’s a good tip
Raymond… you and your blog have helped me a lot. I’ve tried it and it works.
Ray, Great info.
great info ray! :D thanks!
hi, thank you for another excellent article!
I am under W7 dual booting with Vista (unused) and I hesitate to use this function for the time being satisfied with Paragon Drive Backup (Live CD), it would be a tool that fills a dual boot Windows disrupts Windows!
If I may Raymond, this shortcut works with me : %SystemRoot%\System32\sdclt.exe /BLBBACKUPWIZARD
Thank you very much:)
PS;I’m french, sorry for my bad English
Thanks RAY. Don’t need to run third party software after reading this article. You are the man ;).
thanks very much
I’m going to try this i recently had to reinstall everything due to a corrupt partition problem, and have been wanting to learn how to go about creating a disk image.
Nice article.
Great tip! Thanks a lot!
You are simply genius Ray!!!
Exceptional….
Thanks for the valuable knowledge again!!
:)
thank you :) never knew how to use this feature!
Thank you for the great info again Raymond! Great to see that you have a little time to write an article again.
You saved my PC :) Thanks a million …