jdjintx
asked on
How does Windows 7 System Image compare to Third Party (Acronis)
I've researched this without getting a clear answer to the question: "Are there any differences in the backup image created through Windows 7 when compared to an image created with third party software, i.e. Acronis?"
I have successfully used images I created with Acronis software to restore machines at work after hard drive failures and other catastrophic incidents. The restored system included program files, data, and the system configuration; the new machine was an exact snapshot of the previous machine as it was when the image was created.
Will Windows 7 also accomplish this, or does it limit the backup (i.e. only operating system, or OS & program files without data)? web research indicates that it will have everything, but short of spending the time to test this I thought it would be best to verify that here. Thanks in advance!
I have successfully used images I created with Acronis software to restore machines at work after hard drive failures and other catastrophic incidents. The restored system included program files, data, and the system configuration; the new machine was an exact snapshot of the previous machine as it was when the image was created.
Will Windows 7 also accomplish this, or does it limit the backup (i.e. only operating system, or OS & program files without data)? web research indicates that it will have everything, but short of spending the time to test this I thought it would be best to verify that here. Thanks in advance!
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ASKER
Nobus: Your points make sense, but it wasn't clear where Win7 falls short. "Any image that is worth it's name should have everything OS, software + data"
Does Win7 do this?
Does Win7 include the page file?
Can WIn7 do sector by sector imaging?
Noxcho:
1) Understood, larger storage drives are not an issue.
2) Passwords should not be an issue if I keep the physical drives secure, correct?
3) Got it.
4) Got it.
Ultimately, I simply need to know what (if anything) will be missing if I try to restore a machine from a Win7 image. I'm assuming third party software requires a license for every machine I'm backing up, so the expense outweighs the inconvenience of the larger drives and the lesser features. On the other hand, the Win7 savings do not justify images that leave me with additional work to do after restoring a drive. Again, thanks in advance for your help.
Does Win7 do this?
Does Win7 include the page file?
Can WIn7 do sector by sector imaging?
Noxcho:
1) Understood, larger storage drives are not an issue.
2) Passwords should not be an issue if I keep the physical drives secure, correct?
3) Got it.
4) Got it.
Ultimately, I simply need to know what (if anything) will be missing if I try to restore a machine from a Win7 image. I'm assuming third party software requires a license for every machine I'm backing up, so the expense outweighs the inconvenience of the larger drives and the lesser features. On the other hand, the Win7 savings do not justify images that leave me with additional work to do after restoring a drive. Again, thanks in advance for your help.
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Yes, as lomg as your drive is secure the security is not an issue for you. And yes, Windows Backup tool includes pagefile container as well.
As for the licensing. If you are non-profit organization then the free verson is ok for you or you get for paid version a special discount.
As for the licensing. If you are non-profit organization then the free verson is ok for you or you get for paid version a special discount.
ASKER
Thanks!
glad to help
there are several things many do not back, like the page file.
if you want an EXACT image of the disk, you need to do a sector by sector imaging - but that will take much longer
i have used Acronis - but moved now to the paragon software.
if you like to test it, theres a free imaging tool here : http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/download.html