Hey you guys 😀 How are you today?
Today we are going to discuss the easiest way to do an image backup on Windows 8.1
This way applies to Windows 7 and Windows 8.0 too!

The reason why we do this is that Windows doesn’t have a backup utility by default. Unlike Ubuntu and Xubuntu. So we have to come up with this way to keep the system safe. It’s not a backup! It’s an image. And there isn’t much difference! It’s how we use them!

In short an image is like taking a picture of your drive (and from here comes the image name :3) It’s created once and cannot be edited, if you need a different image then you need to deleted the old one (If you are using the same drive to store the image) and create a new one.
The image copies the whole partition or drive, we can’t select files or folders.

What is a backup?

While a backup saves the files and adds to them every time you backup.
Files and folders can be included and excluded from a backup. You can even backup a single file!
This isn’t the same as Creating a restore point. As the restore point saves settings only and doesn’t affect files( And it’s useless at a lot of cases!). While system image creates a full image containing programs, files, settings, etc. And will replace the files completely.
and keep it on an external drive or several DVD’s. ( I highly recommend the external drive as DVD’s take ages to burn and not that effective).

Why do you use images?

Creating images is powerful tool for repairing your computer and keeping your files safe
Now that we know what an image is, how do we proceed?
First of all we have to talk about cleaning up
Before creating the image we must ensure that it’s as small as possible.

We can achieve that through simple steps

1. Using Software like CCleaner

Make sure that the recycle bin is empty. And clearing caches and temp folders is good too.

2. Uninstalling software you barley use

That one time tool. Let it go! Clean all the software that hasn’t been used in a while!

3. Do some further cleaning

There are some advance settings even CCleaner can’t reach! Like the User files and Update files. Access them from the C: Properties. Disk cleanup Note that these settings take a while to fully clean!

4. Defrag your drives

Fragmented files take a longer time to add to the image. so defrag your files before adding them to the archive. So optimize the drive before we start.

5.Clear history and cookies

Cleaning the browser history alongside cache and cookies can save space and add to the new computer feel. So do it!
After we cleaned the C: drive and removed the excess files it’s time to start working with the image!

Make sure you have an external hard-drive inserted and that the file system is NTFS

Make sure you have sufficient space on the drive. The utility will report if the space isn’t enough ( You can use DVD’s but it’s much faster to use an external drive )

Navigate to Control PanelSystem and SecurityFile History and click on System Image Backup.

Wait for it to load a little bit 🙂

5. Set the destination for the image, select your external drive, then click next.

 

6.Select the system drive only. (The C: drive) and click next.

7. Confirm the steps. Please note that any previous images will be deleted! Click start backup to start the backup operation.

8. Wait till the backup ends. Please note it may take up to an hour depending on the partition size.

9. When done. Clink close! And we are done!

How easy was that! Did you like it? Do you find it useful? Please comment below!