Summary: You all may have backups of your system files and folders. But have you considered backing up your entire system using Windows backup option - System Image? In this blog, we’ll discuss what system image is, how it works, and how to recover data using this option.
System Image is a Windows built-in backup option that creates a copy of the entire hard drive, containing Windows OS, drive partitions, and user data. So, if Windows gets corrupted or hard drive crashes for any reason, there’s no need to worry about losing your data or Windows reinstallation. System Image has got your backup.
Additionally, System Image helps you upgrade from an HDD to a high performing SSD and move Windows to another drive. You can use it to clone your original HDD on an external storage drive and then restore the cloned HDD copy on your SSD to migrate Windows easily without losing data.
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Undoubtedly yes! If your system breaks down or gets corrupted, you can perform System Image Recovery. Your PC will be back to its good old functional state with all of its content, including the OS, programs, apps, settings, and more. The only needed thing is a system image created beforehand. So, before jumping on to the System Image Recovery, let’s understand the process of system image creation.
You can create the system image on a writable CD/DVD or an external storage media drive (such as HDD, SSD, USB drive, etc.), a network drive, or a NAS (network-attached storage) drive. Follow the given steps:
Once done, you can choose to close the wizard or create a system repair disc if you don’t have a physical copy of Windows for reinstallation.
Now, let’s understand how to use System Image to recover data when your Windows gets into any trouble.
You can use a powerful data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional to recover the data. It is a DIY tool that can recover any data from formatted, corrupted, or RAW hard drives. Also, the software features the ‘Create Recovery Drive’ option that lets you build bootable media to retrieve files, folders, documents, photos, videos, audio files, and more from unbootable or crashed Windows PCs.
System Image creates an image of your entire Windows 10 system instead of your chosen files and folders, like in File History. Therefore, it is a better option than a Recovery Drive and Restore Point that won’t save the user files and may sometimes fail (respectively). So, if your Windows ever gets crashed, corrupted, or stops functioning entirely, you can use System Image to restore your system with all its data, settings, apps, programs, and more.
The only thing you may find a little difficulty with is System Image doesn’t let you recover individual files but the entire image. So, if you want to retrieve multiple different files simultaneously, you can use Stellar Data Recovery Professional that lets you recover data from non-booting, crashed, or BSOD-affected systems.
Mansi Verma is a Technology Writer at Stellar®. She is a Tech enthusiast, holding over 7 years of experience in Data Recovery, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and the Robotics technology domain. She loves researching and providing DIY solutions and tips & tricks to solve Windows technical issues. In her spare time, she likes reading novels, and poetry. She also enjoys traveling and trekking.
I was not at all aware of this System Image. Thanks for upgrading me. Now I have successfully created System Image now and bookmarked your blog in case I forget how to recover data from this image. It was worth spending time on your blog.