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Microsoftannouncedthat System Image Backups will be deprecated inWindows 10’s Fall Creators Update.
Instead, Microsoft recommends you use a third-party tool to create full system images of your PC.
These can be very large, depending on how many files are on the drive.
They also can’t be restored on another PC without some work.
Just backing up your personal files will get you a smaller backup, and Windows can create it faster.
However, system image backups are still a useful tool in some situations.
But, for most people, simple personal file backups are better.
There are quite a few solid applications for creating full system image backups.
If you’re looking for something free, we like Macrium Reflect Free.
For paid software, you have a lot more choices, includingAcronis True Image.
We’ll cover using Macrium Reflect Free here.
How to Create a Full-Disk Backup With Macrium Reflect Free
DownloadMacrium Reflect Freeto get started.
When you’re asked to select an edition, just pick the “Free” edition.
It will download and launch the appropriate installer.
Launch the Reflect app from your Start menu once it’s finished installing.
To begin creating your system image backup, click Backup > Image Selected Disks.
Chose the individual disks and partitions you want to create a backup image of.
To back up everything, select all the disks and partitions.
Under Destination, snag the destination you want to back up to.
It must have enough space to hold your full backup.
Click “Next” and Macrium Reflect will prompt you to set up a backup plan.
The other options here affect how many backups Macrium Reflect keeps when you run it multiple times.
If you’re just creating a one-time backup, you’ve got the option to ignore them.
You’ll see a summary window with a list of the options and operations Reflect will use.
Feel free to look over what Reflect will do.
if you’re happy with the options you selected, click “Finish”.
Reflect will stash your backup options so you’ve got the option to use them in the future.
You’ll see a progress window while the operation completes.
When you’re informed that the process is finished, click “Close” to continue.
This contains a complete disk image you’ve got the option to restore.
you’re free to alsomount the backup image file to manually extract individual files from it.
To create recovery environment media, click Other Tasks > Create Rescue Media.
Go through the wizard to create the recovery environment.
A Windows installationcan’t normally be movedto another PC’s hardware.
However, Macrium Reflect’sReDeploy featurehelps you move a PC’s Windows system to another hardware configuration.
This should be separate from your backup drive.
when you land, your PC will boot into the recovery environment.
smack the “Browse for an image or backup file to restore” and pick the .mrimg file.
Information about the backup file you’ve selected will appear in the window.
Click “Restore Image” to restore the image to your hard drive.
Under Destination, click “Select a disk to restore to” to select a disk.
Be very careful when selecting the disk you want to restore to, as its contents will be erased.
In some cases, Macrium Reflect may automatically pick the appropriate target disk for you.
Click “Next” to continue.
Macrium Reflect will display information about the options and operations it will use for the restore process.
When the process completes, you’re finished.
Remove the Macrium Reflect recovery image and reset your PC.
