Creating a System Image

Windows enables you to create a system image, which essentially clones the hard drive on which Windows is installed. If that drive ever stops working, you can then restore the system image, in its entirety, to return your PC to the time when the system image was created. This returns Windows 7 and all your programs installed on that drive. (You can't selectively restore items from a system image.)

Store the system image on a separate disk drive. If the original drive stops working, your system image will be of no use. You can store the system image on another hard drive or on DVDs.

To create a system image, click Start, All Programs, Maintenance, Backup and Restore. In the left column, click Create a system image. Click the drive on which to store the system image and click Next. Choose the drives you want to include and click Next. Click Start backup.

If your PC's system files are damaged to the point of rendering your PC inoperable, you can recover by restoring the system image to your PC. (If the hard drive on which the system files are stored is not working, you must replace the hard drive first. The hard drive must be the same size or larger than the original drive.) Do one of the following:

• If your PC is working and you can access the Control Panel or you want to restore your system image to another Windows 7 PC, click Start, Control Panel, System and Security, Action Center, Recovery, Advanced recovery methods. Click Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer, and then follow the onscreen cues to complete the operation.
• If you can't access the Control Panel and you don't have a Windows installation or system repair disc, restart your computer and keep tapping the F8 key to start Windows in Safe mode. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and press Enter. Select a keyboard layout and click Next. Select a username, type the password, and click OK. On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery and then follow the instructions.