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How to create a system image in Windows 7


 Creating a system image is the most neglected step when a user buys a computer.

But it’s quite important, so when the system slows down and formatting the hard drive is one of the best options.

System image will come into the picture.

How to launch or use Windows 7 to create a system image?

Press the Windows key, and on the search box type “backup”.

On the search result, click on “Backup and Restore” (check image below)


Control Panel will open, on upper left corner of the window.

Click “Create System Image”. (check image below)



 System Image window will open and will prompt where to save the image.

Windows will automatically check the available options on the system; if an external drive is connected to the computer it will be included on the option.

Or you can opt to select DVD if you want the image to be on DVDs. (check image below)



Upon selecting where to save the backup click the “next” button.

I had selected the external hard disk. If the DVD is selected, the capacity of your data will determine how many DVDs will be needed.

After selecting the next button system will ask, what are the drives that will be included on the backup.

By default, C drive and hidden system partition is selected.

If the hard drive has multiple partitions, select or tick which partition will be included on the system image backup.

On my hard drive I had D partition or D drive, I had tick D drive to be included on the system image backup.

Once the partitions that needs to be included on the system image has been selected. Click “next” button.

The system will ask for confirmation and display the backup location, the drives that will be backed up and the estimated disk space of the backup. (check image below)


Click “Start Backup”, to begin the backup process. Better don’t use the computer once the backup process started. (see image below)


Once the backup process started, progress bar will display.

The capacity or the size of  the data that is being backed up and the speed of the computer will determine how long the backup will finish, it could take a few hours if the data being backed up is more than 200GB.

If multiple partition drive is selected the progress bar window will show the current drive that is being processed or backed up. (check image below)


When the system is done creating the system image, and everything goes smoothly it will show “Backup completed successfully”. (check image below)



The system will also prompt to create a repair disc.

If a repair disc is not yet created, it would be a good idea to create a system repair disc.

A system repair disc is helpful when the system files are corrupted for whatever reason, and the Windows operating system is not able to start.

Click on the “Yes” button and insert a DVD to create a system repair disc. (see image below)



Creating a system repair disc, will just take a few minutes and the system will display that system repair disc has been created.

Eject the DVD drive, label it as a “Repair Disc” for your computer and keep it in a place where you can remember, it will come handy when the system goes haywire.


Hope it helps.. Cheers!!!



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