Windows 7 Restore From System Image ?

Bint Box · 24 Jul 2010 at 11:19

Hi,

Does a restore from a Windows 7 system image return the hard drive to absolutely 100% of the way the drive was when the image was created including things like file allocation table, master boot record, partitions etc?

I have always done a fresh clean install followed by all the updates on a repartitioned and reformatted drive when I wanted to get back to a clean system. However, it seems that restoring a system image taken immediately after a clean install and updates will do the same thing in a lot less time?

Rgds
Binty

Bint Box · 24 Jul 2010 at 13:13

SiriusB said:
Yep, it puts everything the way it was at the time the image was taken.

Are there any remnants of the previous installation, ie, any stains left over from the previous installation, or, is everything from the previous installation wiped out before the system image restore takes place?

Rgds
Binty

Bint Box · 24 Jul 2010 at 15:49

SiriusB said:
Should be wiped out completely. If you are worried you could just format the HDD first.

OK, thx, I just wished to get it clear what the process was.

Rgds
Binty

Bint Box · 25 Jul 2010 at 11:11

SiriusB said:
I think he was worried it would write the files in the image back to the HDD in the manner of a standard file copy operation, potentially leaving stuff lying around from the previous installation.

Yes, that was partly it.

However, if it repartitions the disk then writes back from the image, in effect, that is the same as wiping or zeroing the disk is it not ?

It seems as though it is ideal for what I need, I have a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit with Office installed and all the updates installed and have taken a system image at this point. This is perfect for restoring if in ever need to do it.

Rgds
Binty