The Windows operating system may need to be set up at different times due to malware / virus detection or software misconfiguration. But installing (setting up) Windows on a computer is quite a time consuming task. Once setup means installing all the software again, giving drivers, customizing and much more. But having a Windows system image backup can be a danger to you.

If for some reason there is a problem with the software of the PC, if you need to setup in case of a virus attack, then if you have a system image backup at that time, you can avoid setting up a new PC.

A “system image” is an exact copy of your computer’s system drive. Backup all files on your system drive (usually the “C” drive). Creating a system image backup and restoring it at any time will take you back to the backup creation date. It is a kind of “time machine”.

Suppose your PC’s Windows was genuine when creating the backup. After a while it loses its genuineity due to virus / malware attack. Then when you restore the system image you will get back the lost genuineity.

The safest way is to create a system image by installing all the “basic” software with fresh Windows setup with C drive format. Save the backup folder to a PC drive. However, it is also possible to save to external drive.

How to create a system image?

Very easy. In the case of Windows 7, follow these steps:

> Open the control panel

Go to System and Security options

> Open Backup and Restore

Click from the top left: “Create a system Image”

Then choose the backup location of your choice. The required drives will be automatically selected in the backup item, so you do not have to select anything here.

If the system image is created in this way, then if there is any problem in the PC then follow the steps below to restore it.

> Control Panel

> System and Security

> Backup and Restore

From there go to “Recover System Settings or Your Computer”

> Advance Recovery Method

> Use a System Image You Created Earlier to Recover Your Computer

How to restore system image in Windows 7

You will now have the option to back up documents to the system drive. Then the restoration process will start with computer restart. All in all it usually takes 5-6 minutes.

If Windows does not start with a virus attack, press the power button and press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo appears. Then select “Repair your computer” from “Advanced Boot Options” and click on “System Image Recovery”. From there show your backup file as before. Then the restoration process will start.

Ways to create system images in Windows 7 and 8.1

If you want to create a system image backup for Windows 7 or 8.1, go to Control Panel> System and Security> File History option. Or open the Start menu. Then type File History and search in the Start menu. When the File History window opens, you’ll find the system image backup option at the bottom left of the screen. The rest of the process is the same as Windows 7.

Ways to restore system images in Windows 7 and 8.1

If you want to restore the system image backup on Windows 7 and 8.1, proceed as follows:

> Settings

> Change PC Settings

> Update and recovery

> Recovery

Click the Restart now button in the Advanced Startup option. The PC will restart.

Then the Troubleshoot menu appears in the boot menu. From there proceed like thisঃ

> Advanced Options

> System image recovery

The computer will then scan itself to find the system image backup. Follow the on-screen instructions.

How to create a system image in Windows 10

If you want to create a system image backup in Windows 10, follow the steps below.

> Click the Start button

> Open Settings

> Open the Update & Security section

> Open the Backup tab at the top left of the screen

> Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7) option at the bottom of the middle of the screen. If you open it, you will get a system image backup program similar to Windows 7.

How to restore system image in Windows 10

If you want to restore system image in Windows 10, follow the steps below.

> Click the Start button

> Open Settings

> Open the Update & Security section

> Open the Recovery tab at the top left of the screen

> In the middle of the screen at the bottom of the Advanced Startup option. There you will find the Restart Now button which when pressed will restart the PC. You can then restore the system image from the screen that appears.

No matter which version of Windows you use (6, 7, 8.1, or 10), save the backup to the root location of the desired drive when creating a system image, so that the WindowsImageBackup (ie Windows Image Backup) folder can be seen directly when you open the drive. Never open or cut this folder manually. If the drive is not in the root location, it may be difficult to find the backup folder when restoring.

We hope you find this post useful. If you want to know anything more, please comment! Thanks.