New
#11
Hi there
You CAN use the same HDD that windows is on but it needs to be in a different partition -- for example create say a 30 GB small "D" partition for your image file. It needs to be a primary partition - not part of an extended logical partition.
The size should be dependant on the backup size plus a little bit (around 5% say) extra and when backing up to this partition you can make it bootable depending on backup software used --Macrium can create bootable recovery image..
This way you can boot from "D" to restore your system without needing an external device.
The problem you could have though if the HDD becomes defective you've probably lost both your OS and the backup -- personally I'd get something like a 64 GB USB device and have program and backup image on that device.
Cheers
jimbo