Sooner or later, most PC users have to deal with the need to reinstall the operating system. And even if the user is experienced, and this operation is not difficult, it takes a lot of time, considering the installation of drivers, the main application package, and so on. However, if there are no changes in the hardware of the computer between reinstallations of the system, you can significantly reduce this time by using a previously created image of the system disk.
Necessary
- - Computer;
- - Acronis True Image program;
- - blank CD.
Instructions
Step 1
Download and install a data backup utility. There are many of them, but one of the most popular programs of this kind is Acronis True Image. Using this product as an example, the required procedure will be considered. If you use another program, most likely there will be no significant differences in the required actions.
Step 2
After the utility finishes installing, run it. Before creating an image of the system disk, you need to prepare a boot disk that will be used to restore the system. To do this, insert a blank CD into the optical drive and select Create Bootable Disc in the program window. Wait for the operation to complete, then remove the disc, sign it appropriately and set aside. A USB stick can also be used as a boot device.
Step 3
After the boot disk is created, start making an image of the system partition. Remember that the larger the amount of data on the system drive, the larger the image will have and the longer it will take to recover. So, in the program window, select the "Create an image" item. Next, specify which logical disk image you want to create.
Step 4
Now specify the location where the finished image file will be stored. This place should not be located on the logical disk that is being imaged. If your computer has only one logical drive, specify the optical drive as the destination and insert a blank disc into it.
Step 5
Start the imaging procedure and wait for it to complete. Please note that it takes a long time, and if the process is interrupted for any reason, it will need to start over. After the end of the procedure, the image file will appear in the specified location.
