System image


  1. Posts : 2,297
    Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
       #1

    System image


    Am currently doing a system image (using the built in Windows 10 tool) for first time. My external HD is a 3 TB seagate connected via USB 3.0. The image I am taking is of my C: drive (Samsung Evo SSD, 300 gig out of 500 full) plus the secondary drive which only currently has about 15 gigs used out of 3 TB. So total is approx 315 gigs being imaged. It's almost finished but the image has taken about two and a half hours. Is this too long or kind of to be expected (especially as it's the first image from scratch)?

    I seem to remember using the same tool on Windows 7 on my other machine. A 600 gig image would prob take about 4 to 5 hours but subsequent re images to the same external hard drive would be much quicker. So maybe it's normal but it does seem a tad slow.

    What are the experiences/thoughts of others who have used this? I guess most use third party programs for images.

    Cheers
    Wayne
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    I have no answer for your situation.
    All I can say is it took you way way too long to finish a system image backup. Even if this is the first time.

    I have been using WD Passport 1TB to store system image backup since Windows 7 era.
    From 7 to 8/8.1 to Win 10, never once took me more than 45 min.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 134,237
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 Build 22631.3296
       #3

    Scottyboy99 said:
    Am currently doing a system image (using the built in Windows 10 tool) for first time. My external HD is a 3 TB seagate connected via USB 3.0. The image I am taking is of my C: drive (Samsung Evo SSD, 300 gig out of 500 full) plus the secondary drive which only currently has about 15 gigs used out of 3 TB. So total is approx 315 gigs being imaged. It's almost finished but the image has taken about two and a half hours. Is this too long or kind of to be expected (especially as it's the first image from scratch)?

    I seem to remember using the same tool on Windows 7 on my other machine. A 600 gig image would prob take about 4 to 5 hours but subsequent re images to the same external hard drive would be much quicker. So maybe it's normal but it does seem a tad slow.

    What are the experiences/thoughts of others who have used this? I guess most use third party programs for images.

    Cheers
    Wayne
    This is just a VERY easy answer for you. Download Macrium Reflect the Free version, as fast as you can, and NEVER use windows backup!!! Make your bootable usb or dvd after you install Macrium Reflect on your hard drive. Most of us in here use this for our backups and image files. Nothing better.....and its free!!!
    Take Care, Mike.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 373
    Linux/W10
       #4

    Scottyboy99 said:
    Am currently doing a system image (using the built in Windows 10 tool) for first time. My external HD is a 3 TB seagate connected via USB 3.0. The image I am taking is of my C: drive (Samsung Evo SSD, 300 gig out of 500 full) plus the secondary drive which only currently has about 15 gigs used out of 3 TB. So total is approx 315 gigs being imaged. It's almost finished but the image has taken about two and a half hours. Is this too long or kind of to be expected (especially as it's the first image from scratch)?



    I seem to remember using the same tool on Windows 7 on my other machine. A 600 gig image would prob take about 4 to 5 hours but subsequent re images to the same external hard drive would be much quicker. So maybe it's normal but it does seem a tad slow.

    What are the experiences/thoughts of others who have used this? I guess most use third party programs for images.

    Cheers
    Wayne

    Seems slow. I've just done a backup of 47GBs, 850 Pro to Seagate 3TB USB3, using Macrium Reflect Free and it took 5min 30sec.

    Try Macrium Reflect Free, if it's still slow check your USB3 driver installation
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,297
    Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ok cheers guys. I might check out Macrium. It's just odd that the rate seems about the same as my windows 7 laptop when doing an image. Same USB 3 connection except using a WD 1 TB external drive.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 134,237
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 Build 22631.3296
       #6

    Scottyboy99 said:
    Ok cheers guys. I might check out Macrium. It's just odd that the rate seems about the same as my windows 7 laptop when doing an image. Same USB 3 connection except using a WD 1 TB external drive.
    When you upgrade to Windows 10, it removes all your previous drivers that were installed, and lots of us have had to re-install our drivers from either the computer maker, or whoever made your USB card installed on your computer, or, you could try going to whoever made your motherboard. But you just might need to upgrade your drivers in device manager.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 112
    Win 7
       #7

    create a system bootable disc to see if it also takes a long time. you can use macrium reflect free as mentioned above or easeus todo backup free. if it doesn't take so long, you might follow the instruction of oldmike65 to update the driver.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,834
    Windows 11 Home (x64) Version 21H1 (build 19043.1202)
       #8

    I can recommend Macrium Reflect I was told about on Windows 8.1 forum did not need to use it for reinstall as windows 10 went in ok.
    Best one I have found
    A Guy told me about it and I thank him for doing so
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 81
    Windows 10
       #9

    There's no reason to image 300gb. Imaging is best used for your system partition. That partition should be large enough to contain your system and apps. 60gb should do it with plenty of room for error, and anything more than that is wasted space. More importantly, you waste a lot of time. If you max out that drive you'll be imaging 500gb.
    I have a 256gb SSD as my system drive and am wasting about 220gb, since I put nothing else on my system drive but system and apps. That has never taken more than 30gb. But HD space is cheap now, so I haven't partitioned it. It's just wasted HD space.
    All other data files are put elsewhere, and I use FreeFileSync to back them up. Using the "mirror" option means only new or changed files get backed up.
    A system image or doing a restore takes me about a minute, not counting boot and load times.
    You're just wasting time imaging the same data repeatedly. I would recommend partitioning your system drive, but you may not want to do that, because setting up an efficient system organization takes some work if you didn't do it from the outset.
    Stay away from Windows imaging and download free Macrium Reflect.
      My Computer


 

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