Windows System Image Backup

If the hard drive crashes or becomes corrupt a system image backup can be used to restore all of Windows and data files. Microsoft has restored the Windows Backup tool removed from Windows 8.1. The feature is in the Backup and Restore Windows 7 control panel. Windows 8.0 users will not find it. It can be found in 7, 8.1 and 10.

Windows System Image Backup allows you to create an entire image of your current Windows system, including your operating system, installed programs, settings, and user files. The backup is saved to an external storage or DVD / Bluray.

System Image Backup Graphical Tool

The backup may take a few hours. You can continue to work as it backs up, but it is better if you don't. When the backup is over, you may be asked if you want a System Repair Disc. If your PC has an optical drive, create the disc.

System Image Backup Command Line Tool

Wbadmin is the command line tool that does the same thing as the graphical tool. wbadmin 1.0 - Backup command-line tool

The behavior is identical to the System Image backups initiated from the graphical Backup And Restore tool. The first time you initiate a System Image backup, it backs up every block on the system volume. Each subsequent time, it simply updates the previous backup.

example:

Wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:W: -include:C: -quiet