System Image Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: What exactly is backed up when you make a System Image Backup?

Posted on October 3, 2026

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Question from Olivene: I spent several minutes reading your posts that explain how to create System Image Backups on Windows computers, but I’m a little confused.

I had Carbonite backing up my files for a couple of years and they didn’t back up any of my Windows files.

I learned that the hard way after my hard drive crashed on me. [Read more…]

How to restore your Windows PC from a ‘System Image’ backup

Posted on April 1, 2021

Many of the tips I’ve written explain the importance of creating regular System Image backups in case your PC’s hard drive ever fails or some other catastrophe wipes out your Windows installation.

It really is important to always have a recent backup on hand for those unexpected emergency situations, but one of my blog’s faithful readers recently pointed out that I have never explained how to restore a PC from a System Image backup.

The purpose of this post is to correct that oversight.

[Read more…]

How to create a System Image Backup in Windows 8.1

Posted on January 17, 2015

windows-8-1 One of the first things we should do after getting a new PC or upgrading to a new version of Windows is create a System Image Backup in case a hard drive failure or some other disaster makes it necessary to re-install Windows.

The process of creating a System Image in Windows 8.1 is a bit different than creating one in Windows 7, but it’s actually quite easy to do.

Without a System Image backup, re-installing Windows and all of your settings, programs, and user created data onto a newly installed replacement drive will be impossible unless you have previously created a backup in some other way.

Follow the steps below to create a System Image Backup in Windows 8.1: [Read more…]