How to perform a system image backup in Windows

If your computer's hard drive crashes or becomes corrupt, a system image backup is essential to restore Windows and its programs to a functional state. The Windows operating system includes a utility to create a system backup. There are also multiple free third-party programs available to create backups as well.

The Windows utility is generally considered the most convenient method. However, some users have reported experiencing failures and errors during restoration. A third-party program can avoid these problems and provide a more reliable and error-free experience.

Select your preferred creation method below and follow the steps to learn how to create a system image backup.

Create a backup using the Windows utility

Click the appropriate link below for the version of Windows on your computer.

Windows 10 and 11

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, under System and Security, click Backup and Restore.

3. In the left navigation menu, click Create a system image.

4. Select where you want to save the backup. We recommend using an external hard drive connected to the computer for most users.
5. Once a drive is selected, click Next.

6. Windows tells you how much disk space is required to create and save the backup. Confirm there's enough space on the drive selected above, and then click the Start backup button to create the backup.

7. After the backup is completed, you are prompted to create a system repair disc. Unless you already have one, we recommend creating this disc to boot your computer and allow you to restore the system image when Windows is inaccessible.

Once the backup is complete, if you saved the backup to a hard drive, there should now be a "WindowsImageBackup" folder on that drive.

Windows 8

1. From the Start screen, type File History and select File History settings in the search results.
2. In the File History window, click the System Image Backup link in the bottom-left corner.
3. Select where you want to save the backup. We recommend using an external hard drive connected to the computer as a backup drive for most users.
4. Once the drive is selected, click Next.
5. Windows then lets you know how much disk space is required for the backup and the drives to be saved. Once you are ready to start the backup, click the Start backup button.

6. After the backup is complete, you are prompted to create a system repair disc. Unless you already have one, we recommend creating this disc to boot your computer and allow you to restore the system image.

Once the backup is completed, if you saved the backup to a hard drive, there should now be a "WindowsImageBackup" folder on that drive.

Windows 7

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, click Backup your computer.
3. On the left column, click Create a system image.
4. Select where you want to save the backup. We recommend using an external hard drive connected to the computer as a backup drive for most users.
5. Once the drive is selected, click Next.
6. Windows then lets you know how much disk space is required for the backup and the drives to be saved. Once you are ready to start the backup, click the Start backup button.

6. After the backup is complete, you are prompted to create a system repair disc. Unless you already have one, we recommend creating this disc to boot your computer and allow you to restore the system image.

Once the backup is complete, if you saved the backup to a hard drive, there should now be a "WindowsImageBackup" folder on that drive.

Create a backup using third-party program

There are many programs for creating a system backup, including some that don't cost anything. We recommend using AOMEI Backupper Standard, as it's user-friendly, creates and restores backups reliably, and has a free version. The steps below are for using the Backupper Standard program.

1. Download the AOMEI Backupper Standard program and install it on your computer.
2. After installation is completed, launch the program.
3. In the program window, click the New Backup option.

4. To create a system backup, including Windows, click the System Backup option.

5. The partition and drive containing the system files are automatically selected (A). Click the drop-down field (B) below the Backup the source data above to the location below message, and select where to save the system backup (C).

6. When ready to begin the backup process, click the Start Backup button (D) in the bottom-right corner.

7. The time it takes to complete the process depends on how much data is backed up from the partitions or hard drive. When completed, a small window pops up, stating the backup is completed.

On the backup completion window, the program asks to create a Recovery Environment, a bootable interface for restoring the backup system image if the Windows is unusable or inaccessible. Creating a recovery environment is optional but highly recommended.