Create System image
You can create a
system image, which contains a copy of Windows and copies of your
programs, system settings, and files. The system image is then
stored in a separate location from the original programs, settings,
and files. You can use the image to restore the contents of your
computer if your hard disk or entire computer ever stops working.
Without this, you would have to install your operating system and
every program individually. This could take days to get all of it
installed. With the system image, all of it will be installed at one
time.
What is a system image?
A system image is an exact copy of a drive. By default, a system
image includes the drives required for Windows to run. It also
includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You
can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if
your hard disk or computer ever stops working. When you restore your
computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration—you can't
choose individual items to restore, and all of your current
programs, system settings, and files are replaced with the contents
of the system image.
Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we
recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup
so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When
you set up Windows Backup, you can let Windows choose what to back
up, which will include a system image, or you can select the items
that you want to back up and whether you want to include a system
image. For more information about setting up Windows Backup, see
Back up your files.
When you buy a computer, most likely it will have a system image
there for you to use in the event your system dies and you have to
reload. That is great. However as you install new programs, those
programs will not be in the system image. If you need to reload your
system, you will have to run the system image. That will put the
system back to the way it was when you got it. You then have to
install your programs that you have installed since. If you create
your own image, you can use it instead and your programs will be on
it.
Note: If you install any software
to the computer after you have created the system image, you will
need to recreate the system image if you want that software to be a
part of the image.
You will have to buy software that creates System images