Creating a System Image (Backup) in Windows 7

It’s a good idea to make a system image of your Windows 7 PC before your start using it and even if you have been using your windows 7 machine I would still create a backup. There is a build-in backup tool within Windows 7 that will create a backup for you and it’s very easy to use. I have listed the steps and what you will need to make a system image of your laptop or desktop computer.

What is needed:
External hard drive: You will need to place to store the image and it can’t be stored on the C: drive. So a external hard drive will do the trick or a flash drive if it’s big enough.

Blank CD and CD burner: You will need a blank CD to make a Windows 7 boot CD and of course you have to have a CD burner to make the CD. Most new laptops and desktops come with a CD burner.

Step 1 Create System Boot CD:
• Put a blank CD into the CD burner.
• Then click start and in the search box type “Backup and Restore” You will see the backup tool listed in the start menu, click on it.
• Next select create system repair disc which is listed on the left-hand side. (The create a system repair disc window will come up)
• Make sure the CD burner is listed beside drive: Example- DVD/CD-RW drive (D:)
• Then click create disc. It takes only a few minutes, once its finished click closed.

Step 2 Create System Image:
• First plug in the external drive you plan to use to store the backup
• Then click start and as before do a search for “Backup and Restore” and click on it.
• This time on the left-hand side click on “Create System Image” It will automatically do a search and look for the external hard drive. Once it finds it double check and make sure that is the drive you want to store your system image on.
• Then click next.
• Then click start backup. I could take up to 20 minutes.


That’s it you are finished!! You now have a system image that you can use to restore your computer if needed.