How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 10 [Updated for 2024]

Creating an image backup of your Windows 10 device ensures that your data and important files are safe from malware attacks, system crashes, or hardware failures. It's therefore essential to know how to back up your data effectively, including programs, settings, and files on your computer.

You can create an image backup of your Windows 10 system using third-party tools or built-in features. You can also restore this data from the backup at any time, as explained in our article on how to recover files from a backup in Windows 10. This guide will walk you through the process of creating an image backup using both methods and how to restore from it if your current operating system encounters issues.

Create a Windows image backup with Todo Backup Free

One way to create a system image in Windows 10 is by using software. A software image backup is more reliable than other methods because it comes with many features. One effective software we recommend for your Windows 10 device is Todo Backup Free.

Upon installation on your device, this software ensures effortless one-click backup and instant restoration of your operating system, disks, partitions, and other files. You can save your backups to the cloud, network, NAS, or local drives. In addition to image backups, the software also allows you to create:

• Differential Backup vs Incremental Backup
• Scheduled Backups
• Encrypted Backups, and more

When your Windows 10 computer crashes or falls victim to a malware attack, the Todo Backup Free tool lets you restore all your original files from a previous backup. Thanks to the software's swift recovery speed, this process is very quick. It also enables you to restore your backup data and its paths to their original locations or a location of your choice.

Todo Backup Free also lets you create bootable backups, which come in handy when hardware failure or a virus attack bricks your computer.

The main features of Todo Backup Free include:

• Bootable backup and recovery. The software lets you easily create a WinPE bootable disk. You can then use the bootable disk to fix or reinstall your computer after a system failure.
• Multiple backup storage paths. Todo Backup Free allows you to create Windows 10 image backups in multiple locations. You can save your files to network drives, external hard disks, or cloud drives.
• Disk and partition cloning. This backup software lets you create identical disks and partitions without losing any data by cloning them. This way, you can replace a failed hard drive seamlessly.
• System restore to different hardware. Todo Backup Free enables you to restore a system image to a computer with different hardware. Your programs and files will still function properly on the new hardware.
• Free cloud storage space. The software provides you with 250GB of free cloud storage space, alleviating limitations on cloud storage when creating Windows 10 backup images. You can store large files without worrying about running out of space.

The steps to create an image backup using Todo Backup are as follows: 1. **Download and install Todo Backup**: First, visit the official Todo Backup website and download the version compatible with your operating system. After installation, launch the program. 2. **Choose the backup type**: Upon opening Todo Backup, you'll see various backup options. Select "Disk Backup" or "System Backup," depending on what content you want to back up. 3. **Select the source**: In the new pop-up window, choose the hard drive, partition, or entire system you want to back up. If you choose "System Backup," the system drive is usually selected automatically. 4. **Choose the destination**: Pick a location to save your backup file. This can be an external hard drive, network location, or another storage device. Make sure there's enough space for the backup. 5. **Set backup options**: If desired, configure advanced options like compression level, splitting large files, or adding password protection. 6. **Schedule the backup**: If you want to back up regularly, set up a scheduled task. You can choose daily, weekly, or monthly frequencies for backups. 7. **Start the backup**: After completing these settings, click "Start Backup" or "Backup Now." The program will begin creating the image backup, which might take some time, depending on the amount of data. 8. **Confirm successful backup**: Once finished, Todo Backup will display a message notifying you of a successful operation. Be sure to check the backup file to ensure everything is as it should be. Keep in mind that these steps might vary slightly depending on the version of Todo Backup, but the general process remains the same.

Starting an image backup of your Windows 10 with Todo Backup Free isn't difficult, assuming you've already downloaded and installed the free version of the software. If you run into any issues using the program, follow this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Tap the Select Backup Content button to start the backup process.

Step 2: There are four backup types: File, Disk, System, and Email. Click on File.

Step 3: This will list both local and network files. You can expand directories to select the files you want to back up.

File Backup

Step 4. Follow the on-screen wizard and choose where you want to save your backup.

Click on "Options" to set a password for encrypted backups under "Backup Options", schedule your backups with "Backup Schedule", and choose to start a backup upon specific events. You can also explore many other options to customize your backup job as needed.

Step 5: You can save the backup to your local hard drive, the backup tool's cloud service, or a NAS.

Step 6. Todo Backup lets you back up your data to third-party cloud storage services as well as its own.

If you want to back up to a third-party cloud, choose “Local Disk,” then scroll down and add a “Cloud Device,” where you'll log in and add your account.

You can also choose to use the cloud storage space provided by the software. Click "Software Cloud," and sign up and log in with your software account.

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to start the backup. When it's done, the backup task will show up as a card on the left panel. Right-click the backup task for further management.

The tool Todo Backup can help you back up the content in your article.

Create an image backup in Windows 10 using the Windows Backup feature

In addition to using Todo Backup Free to create an image backup, we'll show you how to use the Windows Backup feature, which lets you make a system image that backs up your apps and settings right away.

Though Microsoft no longer supports this feature, it still works and is secure for most Windows users. Before you begin the backup process, connect the external hard drive where you want to save your images. Then:

Step 1: Press the Windows logo key + I to open Settings, then click Update & security > Backup.

Click Update & security.

Note: This feature still applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Step 2: In the panel on the left, select the Create a system image option.

Step 3. In the Where do you want to save the backup? section, choose a location to save your backup, such as an internal or external hard drive, a DVD, or over a LAN network. When you're done, click Next.

Step 4: Select the disk you want to include in the backup, and click Next.

Step 5: Review your selection, then tap Start Backup.

If you have a CD/DVD drive and would like to create a System Repair Disc, you will be given the option here as well. Just select “Yes” or “No”. When you're done, click “Close”.

Your device will then begin the backup process, which can take some time depending on the size of the data and the speed of the drive. You can use your hard drive as normal while this is happening. When the backup is complete, you'll be notified.

If you used an external hard drive for the backup, unplug it when the backup is complete, and store it safely.

Additional tip: Restore an image backup in Windows 10

If your current system is failing or has been hit by a virus, you may need to restore a Windows 10 image backup. Restoring an image backup is a straightforward process that involves the following steps:

Step 1: Connect the drive with the system image backup (external or internal) to the computer.

Step 2: Turn on the computer and press the “F8” key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.

Step 3: Select “Troubleshoot.”

Step 4: Choose “Advanced options” > “System Image Recovery” > “Windows 10.”

Step 5: When the “Choose a system image to restore” window appears, click on “Use the latest available system.” If you have multiple backups, manually select the location from which you'd like your device to boot from here.

Select System Image Backup

Step 6: Click “Next.” If you're restoring to a new hard drive, you'll need to use the “Format and repartition disk” option. Otherwise, click “Restore system drive only.”

Step 7: Click “Next” and then “Finish” to begin the recovery process.

Once it's done, you should be able to boot from the restored image without any problems. If you encounter issues during boot, check your boot settings in the system's boot menu.

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Conclusions

If you're looking to safely back up a Windows 10 image, the third-party tool Todo Backup Free is highly recommended. It allows you to back up your image file to the cloud, a network, or a local drive, and restore it if your system runs into trouble. The software is user-friendly and offers a trial version available to all users.

Todo Backup Free offers many features, including multi-path backup storage, free cloud storage, bootable backup and recovery, and more. To create an image backup using a Windows feature, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup, and follow the prompts to back up your apps and settings.

Then, by connecting your computer to a designated internal or external storage device and booting it up, you can restore the backup data. To resolve device issues following the steps in this article, click “System Image Recovery” and commence the image file recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Image Backup

What does a Windows Image Backup include?

An image backup copies everything on the drive, including partitions and boot sectors. This is the only way to back up a Windows installation properly, along with all your programs and settings. Don't confuse it with a file backup, which only copies data files (documents, photos, spreadsheets, and so on).

How long does it take to create a system image backup in Windows?

It takes, on average, about 10 minutes to complete one.

3. Can I use the system image on another computer?

Yes! It is possible to transfer the operating system to a new computer with the help of reliable Windows backup software.

What happens if I delete a Windows image backup?

You can delete them the same way you would any other file or folder in Windows. You can create another image of your system by selecting “Create a system image” from the Windows 7 Backup and Restore app.