Apparently, Microsoft has decided to pull the plug on image backups (known as the “Windows 7 Backup” tool in Windows 10). My current understanding is that it is at least “deprecated”, and will likely actually be removed from a future Windows 10 update. This will leave Windows 10 with no built-in image backup capability of its own.
The official word from Microsoft is that third party utilities should be used instead. This doesn’t break my heart, as I was never a fan of the tool. I had hoped, however, that they would improve, rather than remove, the facility.
EaseUS Todo is a backup program whose free edition is superior to Windows’ built-in tool. I’ll show you how to create an image backup using it. The bonus is, this is not limited to Windows 10 at all; as of this writing, the free edition works with Windows XP, Vista, and all versions of 7, 8, and 10.
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EaseUS Todo
EaseUS Todo can be downloaded from their website. (As always, I strongly recommend avoiding “download sites” and getting software directly from the manufacturer whenever possible.)
There are three things to note about the download and install.
First, you will be repeatedly offered the opportunity to choose their retail product, or a trial version of their retail product. These products are not free. They’re also not needed for what I’m about to show you. Sometime later, you can return and upgrade to one of their paid offerings if you like. Be very careful, and make sure you always and only choose the truly FREE version of EaseUS Todo.
Second, you will be asked for an email address. In a sense, this is the “cost” of the free edition. I have no complaints with EaseUS email, and you can always unsubscribe later. They do frequently offer discount codes for their retail product, so if you think you might be purchasing at some point in the future, it’s worth getting on their list.
Finally, like most free software, be on the watch for PUPs. EaseUS does not hide the additional software offered with Todo, but it is selected by default. Be sure to deselect it during the install process.
Creating an image
Run EaseUS Todo, and on its main screen, click on Disk/Partition Backup.
I choose this over “System Backup” or “Smart Backup” because it provides explicit control over the disks and partitions included in the backup image.
On the resulting screen, check the box to the left of the disk that contains your system or C: partition. This will ensure that the entire hard disk that contains your system, including any additional partitions (such as recovery partitions), will be included in your backup.
Next, click on the small folder icon to the far right on the “Destination:” line.
This will open a folder selection dialog box. Use that box to select the destination: the folder, typically on your external hard drive, into which the image backup is to be placed.
Click OK to accept your selected destination folder.
Click Proceed to begin the backup.
Naturally, this will take some time. Exactly how long will depend on the speed of your system, the speed of your hard disks, the amount of data to be backed up, and more. I will point out that EaseUS Todo’s “Estimated time remaining” indicator is notoriously inaccurate.
Your backup image
Eventually, the backup completes.
Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to your previously selected destination, and you should find a “.pbd” file.
That file contains the image backup of your system.
Download (right-click, Save-As) (Duration: 4:58 — 2.3MB)
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This article is included in my book, Backing Up In Windows 10, available now. Top-to-bottom, end-to-end, Backing Up In Windows 10 will walk you through all the steps you need to keep your data safe, using Windows 10’s built in tools, as well as a free alternative.
More for Patrons of Ask Leo!
Silver-level patrons have access to this related video from The Ask Leo! Video Library.
Downloading and Installing Easeus ToDo Backup Free
Maggie Cocker
Hi Ask Leo
I have just finished reading how to create a backup image with EaseUs Todo that I found very informative ( I have been using
Windows 7 backup for 8 years.) Can you explain how to restore the Image backup after one has been made.
Thank you Maggie.
Mark Jacobs (Team Leo)
Have patience. It’ll come. The most important step is to create the backup. Once you’ve created the backup, it’s there ready to be restored when needed.
Alan
Hi,
As always, an excellent helpful presentation. I note that Sector by Sector has not been activated. Do you recommend activating it for a Disk Partition Back up? & if you do, what function does it actually undertake?
Thanks & Regards, Alan.
Mark Jacobs (Team Leo)
In previous articles, Leo has recommended a system image backup over a sector by sector backup (AKA clone). A system image has everything you need to restore your system and takes up much less apace as it only copies data necessary for restoring your system, and it compresses the data.
A sector by sector backup would be useful if you wanted to be able to swap in the backup copy instead of performing a system restore. That wouldn’t be practical if you use an external drive. You’d need to back up to something like a hard drive in a USB enclosure for that.
Robert
Leo,
Great article as always.
I been using MacriumReflect free edition as you recommend and now I see other application EaseUs Todo.
My question to you is, do you still recommend MacriumReflet?
Thank you in advanced
Robert
Mark Jacobs (Team Leo)
Leo hasn’t dropped his recommendation for Macrium Reflect. EaseUS Todo is an additional recommendation, because it allows incremental backups with the free edition.
Leo’s response to a similar question:
“They each have strengths and weaknesses but overall I consider them roughly equivalent. I have seen each fail on some machines so I generally choose whichever one works.”
Gilbert
Leo,
Have you done a similar article like this using Acronis True Image?
If so, can you post the link?
Thanks
Connie (Team Leo)
Leo recommended Acronis years ago, but changed that for various reasons. This page explains more: http://ask-leo.com/acronis_trueimage_home_backup_software.html
Gilbert
I see the reviews are YEARS old and Acronis has improved their product since then. It might be time for Leo to consider taking another look at this application and consider doing a current review of it. Just a suggestion!
Connie (Team Leo)
Have you had any experience with their help desk recently? It was one of the problems.
Michael
Howdy Leo!
My main gripe is that you have to provide an e-mail address just to be able to download the free version. Is there a way around this, or am I stuck?
If not, I can always continue with Macrium, even though *that* can get hairy, especially when it decides to do two different things on two laptops that are as much alike as can be (same brand, model, RAM, HD, video and almost the same serial number) and only the same folders are backed up on each. ;>
Thanks!
Michael
(Yes, I know that I am whining about a free product, but my e-mail address is pretty important to me and I don’t want the hassle of, maybe, having to delete message after message of “upgrade” offers, or marking some as spam, or some other such thing(s). And no, I really don’t want to go thru the hassle of getting a “throw-away” e-mail address, either – I would consider that a slam against them(!) (and me).)
Connie (Team Leo)
Providing an email address is perfectly legitimate, and should not be a concern for any good business, such as EaseUS Todo. Asking for the email address does two important things:
1. It is a great tool for websites to rule out spam. Very often a site asks for an email, and then requires the owner to verify that they own the email. This makes sure only real people are requesting the service, and it eliminates bots.
2. It gives the legitimate business a way to communicate with you. If you are using their free service then that’s not too much to ask. If it is some sort of software then it allows them to let you know when upgrades are available, or if there are any issues. A legitimate business will always provide a way for you to opt out of receiving emails, later, if you decide you don’t want that.
Mark Jacobs (Team Leo)
It’s not a bad idea to use a separate email address for free offers. I opened one as a throwaway address years ago and I still haven’t had to ditch it for spam. It’s not an insult to the company. It’s my dedicated email acount for free offers and newsletters. It also serves as a recovery email address for other accounts.
Leo
a) EaseUS actually behaves properly. You can opt out later.
b) nothing that says the email address has to be legit
c) As Mark said, it’s also good practice to have a separate throw-away account for just this kind of thing.
d) there’s no such thing as free. Providing an email is the price. If that’s not a price you’re willing to pay, that’s OK, and you might consider looking for a different product.
Gerry
This is a variation on Alan’s note. I have a multi TB drive and have partitioned 30Gb of that to a “C” drive. It’s physically located at the front of the hard drive. I wish to create several images of the C drive to smaller (60 GB) hard drives. Can I specify the “C” partition to be backed up to the smaller drive with a sector by sector backup so the back up drives are usable as system drives?
If not with EaseUS Todo, can Macrium Reflect or another backup program do it?
Thanks