How can I bacup my Windows 7?

[kiicki]

I format my laptop pretty often, and everytime I have to do that, I have to install all drivers, run windows update, install the programs I usually use, install Microsoft word, and run windows update again.

With instaling, updating and installing the programs I need, this will take around 3-4 hours.
The reason it takes so long time is because of windows update. I know I could use a windows 7 CD that included the latest update, but I rather use my Alienware CD that came with my Alienware.

What I want is to restore my computer to the point where I already have installed updates,drivers and programs.

is there such a thing? It's not a problem to make the backup on my internal SSD, but it would be better if I could use a external HDD.

 

[Mr5oh]

Ideally you would use an external harddrive. What you are looking for imaging software, it will make an exact image of your PC at that point. So install, download all the drivers, and then image the machine.

I use CloneZilla for this purpose, it's free and open source. It works very well, but isn't as "noob" friendly as many of the "paid programs".

 

[kiicki]

Ideally you would use an external harddrive. What you are looking for imaging software, it will make an exact image of your PC at that point. So install, download all the drivers, and then image the machine.

I use CloneZilla for this purpose, it's free and open source. It works very well, but isn't as "noob" friendly as many of the "paid programs".

I just saw that i could right click on my C drive. go to properties and make a backup. will that also work?

 

[popatim]

Yes but please search for backup in the windows search box and select backup and restore and make a few repair disks too (provided you have blank dvd's and a burner). That same screen also allows you to make a full system image which may be what you'd like to do instead of a backup.

 

[kiicki]

Yes but please search for backup in the windows search box and select backup and restore and make a few repair disks too (provided you have blank dvd's and a burner). That same screen also allows you to make a full system image which may be what you'd like to do instead of a backup.

I have some files on ny external HDD in exfat format. will the backup overwrite my external HDD?