Thanks for your reply.
Here is my understanding:
Disk imaging will duplicate the contents of one drive to another drive; it is used as a backup.
Disk cloning is a copy of the main drive to another drive; it is used when upgrading to another hard drive.
For the best understanding of disk imaging versus cloning, I would suggest looking at the Macrium Reflect User Guide:
http://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v...df?src=sidebar
I mistakenly thought I could save application programs with the image backup and thus save time with installing programs. So, following your suggestion, I can create a list the software programs I have, and then keep the list up-to-date. The programs would then have to be installed on a new computer.
You were not mistaken. An image made of a Windows system disk usually includes all the elements of the operating system (including system, Microsoft Reserved, EFI and restore partitions) AND preserves the installed application software because it includes the Program Files and Program Files x86 directories, as well as the Registry, containing system and application settings.
In short, if you imaged the system drive of computer A, installed several applications or programs, then had to replace the system drive of computer A, you could restore the system drive image, and computer A would have the same OS and applications installed as it did when you made the system drive image.
It looks like I need to do a disk image on an external drive on a regular basis. Does this seem logical?
Yes. Strongly recommended, even.
Is there some best practice for how frequent a disk image is done?
As often as the data or operating system and applications installed change to any degree which you want to be able to restore.
I really appreciate any help people can give me. While I totally understand backups and have a solid backup plan, I am just struggling with the notion of imaging and cloning. I can't seem to wrap my old brain around this.
Lots of old brains around here. We're all still learning!