What is a windows image backup?

A windows image backup is a complete copy of your system, basically the perfect backup. Imaging a drive goes far beyond the normal backups that most backup users have. Windows image backup will take a “picture” of your system and store it in case of disaster. Most commonly it is done nightly with a set of one month of previous images. The key feature this offers is super easy and quick recovery after a disaster. With normal backups you have to load the operating system, create profile settings, join domain or workgroup, manually transfer files back to old location, install programs, and much more.

What do you need for a windows image backup?

Well all you really need is the software to run a windows image backup. It is strongly recommend having an external hard drive as well to send the backups to. This is because the most likely issue that will cause you do lose you data is a hard drive failure. If you just backup to the same hard drive that you store your files on then it becomes worthless to you as soon as that hard drive dies. Getting a external drive from best buy or NewEgg is the best purchase you can make for your windows image backup system.

As for software there are many types available, the market share is going to Symantec (the makers of Norton Antivirus) because of their long standing approach to backups. This has been changing rapidly as new entrepreneurs design new windows image backup system. The best that I have found is from the company Acronis.

Where can I get the necessary software for windows image backup?

The main thing you need to know is what operating system you’re running. For windows XP or windows 7 you will need a home imaging backup solution. For business it requires more details but Acronis small business and enterprise backup software is extremely remarkable.

As the market is continually flooded by new and unproved backup programs it is recommended you talk to your local computer technician or IT engineer. I am confident he will confirm my thoughts on Acronis being a top contender for windows image backups. Review sites are available for you as well for windows image backup for home and windows image backup for business. Most companies offer a free trail for you to test and see if the software is right for you. I highly recommend take advantage of those trails before you purchase anything.

CCNA, MCSE