1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel.

2. Under System and Security, click Back up your computer.

     The Backup and Restore Center opens.

3. Click Create a system image.

Figure 1: Creating a system image

Windows looks for available backup devices, such as a hard drive, DVD burning drive, or network drive.

4. Choose the location to save your system image, and then click Next.

  • On a hard disk

  • One or more DVDs

  • On a network location

5. Confirm the settings, and then click Start backup.

Note: Make sure that you have enough blank space on the external drive or enough blank DVDs to create the system image.

Figure 2 : Confirm your backup settings

6. Windows prepares to create the system image.

Figure 3 : Preparing to create the system image


7. If you are backing up to DVD, label and insert a blank DVD in the DVD recorder.

Figure 4 : Labeling and inserting blank media


8. If you are backing up to DVD and a message displays requesting to format the DVD, choose to format the DVD.

Figure 5 : Formatting the media

9. Windows saves the system image.

Figure 6 : Saving the system image


10. If using DVDs, when prompted, label and insert a blank DVD. Continue to follow the on-screen instructions until the image is complete. This might take from several minutes to several hours. Store the backup in a safe place.