# Any recommended software for creating a Win7 system image? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974 "2016-10-18T19:29:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/1 "2016-10-18T19:29:28Z")
The bundled software I picked up with my backup drive doesn’t help create system images and the option to do so through Windows 7 isn’t working (it gets so far and stops every time, despite trying several solutions found online). Has anyone any recommendations for some 3rd party solution? I’d feel better taking the advice of board members over sites like CNET 🙂 Also don’t mind if this has to move to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/2 "2016-10-18T21:40:43Z")
I use Acronis True Image, but it’s not free if you are looking for a freeware solution. Norton Ghost used to be the go to for drive imaging, I had disks that came with new drives but never used it. I see freeware versions online, no experience with those, either. But I can vouch for images made with Acronis, boot right back up on a new drive just like nothing had changed (except maybe some Chrome extensions - they don’t seem to make the trip for some reason). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/3 "2016-10-18T21:48:42Z")
Formerly I used Norton Ghost for drive imaging but Ghost 15 doesn’t support Windows 10. So now I use Acronis True Image. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/4 "2016-10-18T21:58:33Z")
HD Clone? ---
**Author:** ![allyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@allyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/allyn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/5 "2016-10-19T07:18:53Z")
I’ve used Clonezilla a few times and was happy with it. > **[Clonezilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonezilla)** > > Clonezilla is a suite of open source drive cloning, drive imaging and system deployment utilities used to simplify deployment and maintenance of a group of computers. Clonezilla Server Edition uses multicast technologies to deploy a single image file to a group of computers on a local area network. Clonezilla was designed by Steven Shiau and developed by the NCHC Free Software Labs in Taiwan. > Clonezilla is used to deploy operating systems to computers by imaging a single computer and then deploy... Whatever you use, make sure your filesystem is in good shape (i.e. run chkdsk on it to find/repair any issues). Otherwise, you may find the imaging software failing during the imaging process. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/6 "2016-10-19T09:31:10Z")
I’ve used Easeus ToDo a number of times, especially when transferring to a larger hard drive. Freeware from [here.](http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/7 "2016-10-19T15:46:40Z")
I have used Acronis for years but each successive version has gotten worse. I’m currently using [Paragon Free](https://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/) and, although the interface is a bit weird, it works well. And it’s free. A full backups is slower than Acronis, but the incremental backups are fast. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/8 "2016-10-19T18:34:55Z")
> [@allyn](#): > > Whatever you use, make sure your filesystem is in good shape (i.e. run chkdsk on it to find/repair any issues). Otherwise, you may find the imaging software failing during the imaging process. Ah, funny you mention that, as it seems to be the problem that stops Windows’ own disk imaging option from working. A solution on the MS site itself suggests running Chkdsk, but every time I try to run it I’m told it’s already scheduled to run. When I check my scheduled tasks I’ve no idea where it is to run it or cancel the schedule. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/9 "2016-10-19T18:41:39Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Ah, funny you mention that, as it seems to be the problem that stops Windows’ own disk imaging option from working. > > A solution on the MS site itself suggests running Chkdsk, but every time I try to run it I’m told it’s already scheduled to run. When I check my scheduled tasks I’ve no idea where it is to run it or cancel the schedule. Reboot the computer, it will run during the boot-up procedure. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/10 "2016-10-19T19:24:02Z")
I’ve used TeraByte Image for Windows for years. It’s not free, but it’s easy to use and I’ve never had any problems with it. I’ve restored backups created with it without any hassle. In general, it’s painless and it just works. > **[Image for Windows](https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows/)** > > Drive image backup and restore software that is affordable, reliable, and easy to use. Copy/clone drives, migrate to new systems, and more. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/11 "2016-10-19T21:44:33Z")
My current favorite is Macrium Reflect. It has a free version Its a little more complicated than some other tools but not unassailable to the lay user and is very powerful with lots of useful features. > **[Macrium Reflect Free Trial](https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree)** > > Macrium Reflect - Incredibly powerful software that allows you to create and schedule effective backups ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-recommended-software-for-creating-a-win7-system-image/768974/12 "2016-10-19T23:28:21Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > My current favorite is Macrium Reflect. > > It has a free version > > Its a little more complicated than some other tools but not unassailable to the lay user and is very powerful with lots of useful features. > > [http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx](http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx) Seconded. The free version is very functional. The major drawback of the free version for regular day-to-day use is that it doesn’t support incremental backups, which may not be an issue at all for many users. Like most backup software, it can create a Linux-based boot CD or USB flash drive, but with a few extra steps it can also create a much more powerful boot CD based on Windows PE. I used the free version a few years ago to do a system transfer of Windows 7 from the old disk drive to a new SSD on my laptop, and it worked perfectly. I don’t find it complicated at all. It’s so much nicer than Windows’ own built-in backup system, which has a really awkward and confusing approach. I don’t recommend Windows Backup at all, but I would nevertheless advise the OP to find out why it isn’t working because corruption in the file system really should be fixed ASAP.