How to set up an image on Windows 10

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You have three main options when creating a new system image of your Windows 10 or 11 OS:

  1. Use Windows 10 to Backup and Restore a System Image

    • From the Windows Start menu, type "CONTROL PANEL" and choose the "CONTROL PANEL" application.
    • Choose "BACKUP AND RESTORE (WINDOWS 7)" (this feature is also compatible with Windows 10 and 11).
    • From the left pane, choose "CREATE A SYSTEM IMAGE".
    • Select whether to store the backup on a network drive, a DVD, or an external drive.
    • Select the partitions of the hard drive (designated by a hard drive letter) that will be included in the system image by clicking "NEXT".
    • Select "START BACKUP" from the menu.
    • Windows is going to produce an image file now.

  2. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) for System Image Restoration

    • You can use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to access Windows and then restore it from a system image if a serious problem arises with your computer (like not being able to access the Windows operating system).
    • When you create the system image, it contains the Windows operating system, applications, system settings, and personal files.
    • To utilize this feature, you must first prepare a second local drive to store the system image (if your computer has TWO LOCAL DRIVES OR ABOVE) and an empty USB flash drive (AT LEAST 2 GB) to create a bootable device that can enter Windows Recovery Environment.
    • It is also advised that you periodically create a new Windows system image because Windows will update and enhance security and performance on a regular basis.
    • Using Windows’ built-in "CREATE A RECOVERY DRIVE" feature, you can create a system repair USB flash drive that can access Windows Recovery Environment.
    • Select [NEXT] after making sure that the [BACK UP SYSTEM FILES TO THE RECOVERY DRIVE] box is not checked.

  3. Creating a Disk Image with Disk Utility

    • A disk image, or file containing other files and folders, can be made with Disk Utility.
    • On your Mac, select File > New Image > Blank Image from the Disk Utility app.
    • Give the disk image a filename, add tags if needed, and select a location for saving it.
    • Enter the disk image’s name in the Name field.
    • Enter the disk image’s size in the Size field.
    • Select the disk format by clicking the Format pop-up menu.
    • Click the Encryption pop-up menu and select an encryption option to encrypt the disk image.
    • Select a partition layout by clicking the Partitions pop-up menu.
    • To select an image format, click the pop-up menu and select an option.
    • After selecting Save, select Done.
    • Disk Utility mounts the disk icon on your desktop and in the Finder sidebar after creating the disk image file in the location you specified when you saved it in the Finder.

  4. Creating a Windows 10 System Image on a USB Drive

    • It is always a good idea to create a Windows 10 system image on a USB drive in order to have a more dependable system recovery option ready.
    • To create a Windows 10 system image on a USB drive, simply follow these steps:
      1. In the Windows 10 search bar, type BACKUP AND RESTORE.
      2. Next, select BACKUP AND RESTORE (WINDOWS 7).
      3. Finally, click GO TO BACKUP AND RESTORE (WINDOWS 7).
    • On the left, select the CREATE A SYSTEM IMAGE option.
    • To save the Windows 10 system backup, select ON A NETWORK LOCATION, click SELECT…, enter the network credentials and the shared folder location on the USB flash drive (IPSharedFolderName, for example, 192.168.0.58My Backups), and click OK. Next, select NEXT.
    • To back up Windows 10 to a USB drive, confirm the backup configurations and click START BACKUP.
    • After connecting your USB flash drive to your computer and enabling detection, start AOMEI Backupper.
    • Choose BACKUP > SYSTEM BACKUP from the main menu.
    • To save the Windows 10 system image, CHOOSE THE USB FLASH DRIVE AS THE DESTINATION LOCATION. If you would like, change the Task Name to set this backup apart from others.
    • To quickly create a Windows 10 system image on a USB drive, click START BACKUP.