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jacksmind

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Best free x64 software to image win7 install

I would like to image my win7 drive wiith all my important programs installed.  Can someone recommend a free utility that will:

* Image the partition but SKIP THE FREE SPACE (I don't need a 150gb iso)
* is free
* can create a bootable image for reinstall
* will sort out the mbr/partition table so that the reinstalled drive will be bootable

my windows install seems to weigh in at about 50gb (with everything installed) and I have a 128 gb flash drive, so I'm hoping this works out logistically.
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Daniel Junges
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Microsoft ImageX.  It's not exactly user friendly, but it's Free, it does FILE based imaging and automatically excludes huge files like the PageFile and Hiberfil file.  And the compression is pretty good - I'd say typically 50%  If you make your flash drive bootable with WinPe, you can put the image on it as well and then run a simple to restore the image.  Additionally, it doesn't need to format your hard drive to re-apply the image (you can format the hard drive if you like).
Solid and time tested solution for free by Paragon Software: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/index.html
Has all you need for backup imaging and recovery. Creates boot CD and bootable USB flash drive so you could restore from image in case the system dies or even HDD dies. Simply replace the drive and restore from image. You are on track again.
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jacksmind

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Driveimage XML - I was thinking of this but I couldn't find any info about skipping the free space. (I don't need to image 150gb when I only am using ~50gb of space

Microsoft ImageX - looks too hard to use, I'd like to have a gui

The Paragon Software - not free
It's actually very easy.  Takes a little getting used to but it's a very easy command line tool to use.
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noxcho
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Hi jacksmind
I used Driveimage last week, it skeep free space and you can run it from a CDROM for restore an image: http://www.runtime.org/peb.htm
You're right noxcho, I was looking on the wrong page. Paragon seems to be great software and exactly what I need.  thanks!