Image Files Created via thw Windows 7 method

I have been working on a new Dell laptop with Windows 10 Home while thinking about if I will ever update my Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate machine, which I am thinking not doing. Only wanted laptop for backup as this Optiplex has run 24X7 for 9 years 4 months.

Any question is I did a image on Windows 10 via the Windows backup 7 as well as a system restore disc. I booted with that restore disc and come up with what looks like the same screens on page 710 of the Windows 10 for Dummies book I bought (actually 10 books in one). On page 710 of that book it says restoring the image file requires a system image that you made using a DOS command in a very geeky way using recimg.exe and says details are at https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html. Well that link doesn't get me anywhere. So I am wondering if I should try recimg.exe or I am good? Or should I just use Acronins which has saved my butt many times over the last decade.

I just like images as no matter what happens I can get back to where I want, guess too many years working on mainframes. Spent 33 years as software tech on mainframes and a few years on Novell and MS servers, but retired in 2003. So yes, I have been out of loop and stuck in rut, but am happy there.

If you want to use a command, you can use this one that will write an image of C with all dependents to the root of S.

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:S: -include:C: -AllCritical -quiet

Thanks, I have tried to use the Macrium Reflect Free before and the image worked fine, but the CD boot I built wouldn't find external USB 3 drive. I will give it another drive on the Win 10 laptop. I was getting Acronis free as I went through the process of testing and finding problems for them. That was back in 2013, not going to do it again. Macrium Reflect Free would be fine if I get it to boot, I don't really use any functions in Acronis except image. Well in Acronis I can just restore one file from an image. Also, in windows 7 I can make a VHD with a M.S. image and restore one drive, haven't tried to build a VHD in Win 10, is that possible? Just one of those things where I have used them for many years, think it was back at TI7.

Yes on this computer using now, it gets 2 images, MS and Acronis weekly. However to the same external that I keep disconnect from PCs.

This UEFI is something new I found when trying to force this new laptop to boot from a DVD, Got it to finely work, but not totally sure I understand, oh for the old simple BIOS where I just go in and select boot sequence.

No I don't really want to use the DOS command. Made me think I still have the little disk to build a system with DOS.

So it sounds like my Windows 7 backup will work.

The older versions of Macrium had a problem recovering from USB3. Imaging was no problem but the recovery you had to do from USB2.

Downloaded Macrium and built recovery DVD and it worked fine on Win 7 Ultimate Optiplex, tomorrow will backup image with both Acronis and Macrium. Then will try to do a restore with Macrium. Already have used Acronis a few times, so it will be my backup in case Macrium goes south. If all okay will load it on new laptop with Win 10 Home 64 bit. All the laptop is used for is traveling so can get email, wife use FB and backup for when this finely dies.

Macrium worked fine, first deleted some files and only restored the deleted files via browse, built a VHD drive from backup and all that went well, so did a complete image restore and that went well. Did have some trouble getting laptop to boot from the Macrium rescue DVD, but prevailed in the end. Something I need to learn more about is this new legacy boot and UEFI crud. I got it to display menu on boot like I am use to, but then when wanting regular boot, it said no system drive. Good thing I wrote down changes and got back to original settings. I don't know if this is just a Dell thing or all newer machines.