How to create a System Image for my Windows 7 computer?

If you bought a new Windows 7 computer with some nice software pre-installed on the computer, you should create a system image on an external hard disc in case your internal hard disc fails.

1. Connect your external hard disc drive to your Windows 7 computer.

2. Go to "Start\Control Panel\System and Security\Backup and Restore".

3. Click on "Create a system image" from the left pane. You will see the "Create a system image" window showing up with these message:

Where do you want to save the backup?

A system image is a copy of the drives required for Windows
to run. It can also include additional drives. A system image
can be used to restore your computer if your hard drive or 
computer ever stops working; however, you can't choose individual
items to restore. 

4. Select the "On a hard disk" option where your external hard drive is listed.

5. Click "Next" to start creating the system image.

The size of the system image file is the size of all system files and personal files on your internal hard disk. It is usually much larger on the size of a CD or DVD. If you choose to create a system image on the CD/DVD drive, you need to prepare for a number of disks.

⇒ Restoring Windows 7 System Image from Control Panel

⇐ What Is a Windows 7 System Image

⇑ System Backup and Restore on Windows 7

⇑⇑ Windows 7 Tutorials