I want to image my drive

[tal ormanda]

Simple question. I just reinstalled Windows 7 and I want to save a copy of it so incase something happens later on, I can restore the image instead of reinstalling all over again. What is the best software to do this and what do I need to do? Do I need to make another partition with windows on in order to restore the Windows 7 image I want to make? Or can you restore an image from an active partiton?

[allen2]

There are many ways to see what you're asking:

- Do you want one backup as your installation is clean ?

- Or do you want regular backups to go back to the last one when you get a problem ?

- Do you want to backup from windows or offline (using a boot CD) ?

- Do you want to restore from a CD or a bootable usb drive or by booting another partition ?

[tal ormanda]

I just want one backup. I assume doing it with only one partition means using a boot CD? or USB drive? What program would do that?

[allen2]

If you own a Western digital drive, you can you Acronis True image for free. Don't forget to create the bootable media rescue CD after install. That the easiest way.

If not, then i would use partimage ( with systemrescueCD ) but you can choose another one from here.

[dencorso]

The free Partition Saving is also a good choice. By all means, do a full disk, all included image. This post of mine might be of interest to you: (link).

[tal ormanda]

Hm. Okay.

[Ponch]

There also is a sticky thread that discusses "imaging softwares" in this forum, I guess it is somehow relevant.