In this article, you will see the step-by-step guide to perform Windows 7 backup and restore with Windows built-in tool or its alternative.
Backup and Restore is a built-in backup software in Windows 7, which allows you to backup files, system drive (including operating system, system settings, individual folders, libraries, etc.) or other non-system partition(s). It uses VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) to backup without interrupting operations and backup only changed files with incremental backup by default. And the schedule settings are every Sunday at 7:00 am.
In other words, it provides you with two different types of backup. The file backup is saved to ZIP files while the system image is full system backup with .vhd file format, no compression. You can choose to backup to local disk, external hard drive, CD/DVD, USB flash drive, network locations. If you are an IT professional, try WBAdmin. It's the command-line interface of Backup and Restore.
Note: Windows 7 Backup and Restore could not backup these files: program files, files stored in FAT file system, files stored in Recycle Bin, Temporary files on drives smaller than 1 GB.
As mentioned earlier, Windows 7 Backup and Restore provides you with two backup types, and I'll introduce you to both of them. At first, you need to open this software with the following methods:
After opening this software, you can choose to create a file backup or system image. The situation may be a little different for different users.
To protect your data, we highly recommend that you save the Windows 7 backup image to external hard drive. The size depends on how many data you have and you can check it in Windows Explorer. Here take the first situation as an example.
★ Tips: ✿ You will be asked to insert CD/DVD and create a system repair disc with it. Thus, you can restore system image without booting into Windows. ✿ If you don't want schedule Windows 7 backup, you could uncheck "Run backup on a schedule(Recommended)" option. ✿ The current system image backup will be overwritten when you create a new one.
After the backup is finished, your destination disk will get a folder named WindowsImageBackup containing the .VHD backup file. Now you could do system image recovery in Windows 7 to get your computer back. Please connect the external hard drive contains the Windows 7 system image, then follow the steps to restore:
★ Tips: ✿ If you don’t want to overwrite the original files/folders, select other location to restore. Otherwise, choose In the original location. ✿ If you just want to restore all your data files, click Restore all users’ files. ✿ Besides file restore, you are still able to restore system image to new hard drive in the recovery environment. Note it requires the destination disk larger than disk contaning image. Otherwise, you will receive the system image restore failed error.
Besides, you could restore windows 7 backup to Windows 10. The overall steps are below:
Windows 7 Backup and Restore is helpful for you to backup files or systems, but some users report it's not working. For example, Backup and Restore blank or not open, etc. This may be because it's hijacked by security software and malware or you use certain third-party software. You just need to enable the essential backup service or restore computer to an earlier date. For detailed steps, please check the Backup and Restore Windows 7 not working page.
Besides, some users say that they cannot find a system image on this computer during the restore process. It may be caused by many reasons, such as, the change of folder name for system image, you migrate this folder to another location or backup Windows 7 to USB drive, etc. For solutions and detailed steps, check the Windows cannot find a system image on this computer page.
You may want the Windows 7 Backup and Restore alternative if you are in these situations. And I'll introduce you an all-in-one backup software to protect your data and ensure you always have a copy of them.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is one of the best free Windows 7 backup and restore software, which helps you backup and restore in Windows 7 easily. All backup solutions (file/system/partition/disk backup) are supported and it is available for Windows XP, Vista, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 as well. And either way, you can enjoy the following advantages:
Now please download AOMEI Backupper Standard, and we will guide you through the detailed steps to create Windows 7 system image, including Windows 7 OS, installed programs, settings, drivers, etc.
(PS: This version of AOMEI Backupper only supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11. For server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server.)
1. Run AOMEI Backupper Standard after the installation, click Backup -> System Backup.
2. Select a destination path to save the Windows 7 system image file. You can backup Windows 7 to USB, external drive, NAS or network location, etc.
3. Tap Start Backup button to create a system image for Windows 7.
After the backup finished, you will get a Windows 7 system image, suffix with .adi, on your destination path. You could restore system image or individual files from it. And you can even restore system to dissimilar hardware if you use system image on a different computer.
To avoid computer failure due to system crash or other reasons, you need to create bootable media with USB or CD/DVD. It helps you boot computer if it's unbootable. If you don't have any storage device, try recovery environment in AOMEI Backupper.
For system restore, usually, there are two situations, your computer is bootable or not.
>> If you are in previous situation, you can directly open this software and restore system image.
>> If your computer is unbootable, you need to insert the bootable USB or CD and boot from it, load AOMEI Backupper in the recovery environment and then perform system image restore. If you create a recovery environment in Windows 7, just restart your computer and select Enter into AOMEI Backupper option.
Here take the previous situation as an exaple. Please follow the steps below to perform system image recovery in Windows 7.
1. Open this software, click Restore > Select Task to choose Windows 7 system image.
2. Choose a system image in the following window and click Next >>. If you cannot find system image on this computer, go back and choose Select Image File to manually select backup image.
3. Tick Restore this system backup option and Restore system to other location if you want to upgrade hard drive for larger capacity. Then, hit Next >>.
4 (optional). You will be asked to select a restoration path if you tick Restore system to other location. Then, hit Next.
5. Confirm this operation and press Start Restore >>.
It’s quite easy to restore Windows 7 system image, right? To perform selective file restore, you could explore Windows 7 system image with Explore Image feature and copy and paste to restore individual files.
Now, you may have already known how to use Windows 7 Backup and Restore, whether you want to backup files or system or recovery. But it's not working sometime. Thus, you may need to use its alternative, AOMEI Backupper Standard is one of the best option.
It contains all the features supported by Windows built-in tools and has more advanced features, such as, backup partition, backup disk, USB plug in, Event trigger, Backup Scheme, etc. Besides, it still allows you to deploy image to multiple computers simultaneously if you want to perform batch operation, such as, install system for 25 computers etc. Try its technician or techplus edition.
