What is the difference between system image and backup

Fouarge , on Jul 14, PM. The whole backup and data protection space is filled with a lot of nomenclature that if you do not already know the abbreviations, the specific words and phrases that are used, or concepts that you can become lost very easily.

These two are the difference between file level and disk image backup. An image backup is simply an image or copy of your entire system, including your operating system. This is a very simple to configure type of backup where you just select an entire drive, partition, or an entire machine, which typically backs up the entire selection you have selected. Where disk image backups really shine is in a complete disaster type of situation. For instance when your hard drive dies, your Windows will not boot or is corrupt, your machine is stolen, an upgrades goes horribly wrong, or other major disaster that requires a complete rollback of the entire machine and do a system image recovery.

While most disk image backup products, NovaBACKUP included, can access single files from the disk image backup in case of the need to restore a single file, file level backups are more suited to file level restores.

File level backups are the most common type of backup out there and for good reason. They are very simple to understand and very simple to make sure they are good. File backups basically come down to you selecting some files and folders that you want to back up and then where you want those file level backups to go.

File level type of backups typically allow for more granular options for backup and restore of things such as Exchange, SQL, System State Registry, Active Directory, and other things , along with the ability to exclude a lot of other things that you probably do not want to backup unlike most disk image backups. If you were to compare a file backup vs image backup, you would find that file backups are typically a more flexible way of doing backups, scheduling, and are normally smaller backups than disk image backups.

But, image backups are better in disaster scenarios where an entire system restore is required. Now that you a rough idea of the difference between file backup vs image backup, you may be wondering which backup type should you use? I would suggest you use both types. This type of schedule will give you an easy quick way to get files and folders back, which is where a majority of the restores we see happen, along with giving you a good disk image base while being backup space conscious.

I would also suggest that before any major change to the machine that you are backing up to do a manual disk image backup. This can include service packs to production type software such as Exchange, SQL, or other software that is critical to your business, new hardware, or installation of new software.

That way if something goes wrong with that change you can bring the machine back to where it was before the change very quickly. While many of these recommendations are just my opinion based on my years of experience working with clients in the backup space, you should make any adjustments to fit your business needs. If you happen to be utilizing another type of backup software that does not include both disk image and file level backup capabilities in it, it might be worth reevaluating the software you are using and to look at the downtime you are willing to accept when something happens and how much that will cost you.

All Rights Reserved. Terms Privacy Sitemap. EN DE. English German. Meant for foolproof backups, a System Image creates an exact copy of your entire Windows 7 hard drive and packs it into one large file, which you can store on a second hard drive. A portable hard drive works very well for this and other tasks. A System Image provides a perfect backup for most people, as it contains everything on their C drive: Windows 7, all your installed programs, and all the files created with those programs.

Plus, it contains all your program settings. If your hard drive dies, you can install your System Image on your new hard drive, and be back up to speed quickly and easily.

A System Image, by contrast, copies the entire drive. When your hard drive eventually dies, you can restore your data from your System Image file: You boot from your Win 7 installation DVD or a System Repair disc, which you can create when making the System Image , and choose a menu option to restore your hard drive from a System Image file. Your computer grabs the System Image, places it onto your replacement hard drive, and you can begin working again from the time and date that you made that System Image backup.

And, if your computer came with Windows 7 pre-installed, create a System Repair Disc along with it — you rarely, if ever, receive a Windows 7 installation DVD when Windows 7 comes pre-installed. It explains how to create and install a Windows 7 System Image. Check it out now on Amazon. Posted: February 19th, under Windows 7 , Windows 7 for Dummies. Tags: back-up , backup , backup and restore , system image , what is a system image. Comment from Manscape Time February 22, at am.

Hello Andy! Will the previous backup files and such become overwritten? Thank you! Comment from Andy Rathbone Time March 11, at am. Manscape: You can create a system image and a regular backup on the same portable hard drive.

In fact, I create both on the same partition. Each time you create a new system image, though, it will replace the preceding system image. But when you restore the system image, it will expand to its original size. Comment from Philoctetes Time March 8, at am. A lot of useful information and clear explanations.

In other words, in the event of needing to restore the entire hard disc in the event of failure, one could do so using either of the above options?

Philoctetes: No. Comment from Philoctetes Time March 12, at am. Thanks for your helpful and speedy reply. Question is therefore if one needs to create a separate System Image on a regular basis or just let the Backup process also create the System Image, thereby presumably saving space on the Backup drive? Hope the question is clear and not too obtuse! Comment from Andy Rathbone Time March 12, at am.

Philoctetes: Yes, have the backup process automatically create the system image and regular backup. Comment from Dino Time February 12, at pm.

Please help with the logistics of my backup wishes. Because of the size of my backups, I would like to make System Image backups only system and applications and all necessary recovery stuff daily and backups of data-only on a constant mirrored basis.

Both of these backups would be put on a second 2 TB internal hard drive on board. Can I do what I described and keep the data mirrored constantly and only backup the 40 GB or so System Requirements nightly? If so, can you guide me? Thank You. Comment from Andy Rathbone Time February 12, at pm. Dino: If the backups take 12 hours, schedule them to take place at night.

They cost a little more. Or, you could schedule the backups to take place every other day. Comment from Dino Time February 13, at pm. Thanks for that information. These two types of backup software are designed with that in mind. File and folder backup will back up each file on your PC. File backup systems will save documents, but not the applications that created them. You can generally configure file backup systems to take an automated backup of everything at a set time. Image Backups are just what the name states: an image of your entire operating system, including files, executable programs and OS configurations.

Professional backup solutions will create full or incremental images of the hard drive in an automated fashion. With an image backup, you can restore a single file, directory or entire disk to the same or another hardware or to a virtual machine. Data should be securely encrypted to meet compliance requirements.