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

SiriusB · 24 Jul 2010 at 12:39

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

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

SiriusB · 24 Jul 2010 at 13:37

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

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

theheyes · 24 Jul 2010 at 17:25

Well, it will repartition the disk and write back from the image. It doesn't zero the whole disk first if that's what you're asking.

SiriusB · 24 Jul 2010 at 17:28

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.

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

Bane · 25 Jul 2010 at 11:24

Are you using the backup feature in Windows? As interested to know if that does the same as image tools that require their own boot-up cd? As don't see how you can restore an image while in Windows, of the Windows partition.

Finguz · 25 Jul 2010 at 11:42

Restoring a system from Windows 7 backup/restore utility is acheived by booting from the Windows install dvd

Cosimo · 25 Jul 2010 at 11:56

Bane said:
Are you using the backup feature in Windows? As interested to know if that does the same as image tools that require their own boot-up cd? As don't see how you can restore an image while in Windows, of the Windows partition.

You do require to access some system tools. It’s done by booting into the advanced boot options (F8) at start-up, using the windows installation disk or a system repair disc (it’s a control panel option in “backup and restore”).

SiriusB · 25 Jul 2010 at 12:19

Bint Box said:
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?

Yes and no.

Yes, for all intents and purposes it is a formatted disk - Windows will tell you there is nothing there as would other OSs. However, file recovery tools will be able to recover files from the HDD as re-writing the partition tables etc doesn't physically remove the files in those partitions.

This is a really minor point and I am just mentioning it for completeness. This will certainly have no impact on you - unless you have very sensitive data that was on your previous install and your HDD falls into the wrong hands!