I'm looking to make complete backup images of several computers and store them on non-networked external drives and am looking for software to do so. I have a full copy of Acronis True Image, but the version I have only allows for live cloning(which would work if I was just going A-to-B, but I'm swapping A and B) or backing up of various files and such, but no OS imaging. I also know that Windows has a backup tool, and will allow me to backup the image to an external drive, but it won't let me restore the image from said external drive. What options are there for free imaging software that will not only allow me to create the image and transfer it to an external drive, but will also let me apply the image from the same external source?

My ultimate goal out of this whole ordeal is to swap images on 2 hard drives. I have a WD HDD(established Win7 on custom somewhat high performance desktop) and a Samsung SSD(established Win7 in jank Dell netbook). Both systems run, but I want to put the better drive in the better computer and the mediocre drive in the crappy computer.

So, what's out there available?

Windows 7 it's built in. Backup and Restore. And works well.

quote Originally posted by Loki: Windows 7 it's built in. Backup and Restore. And works well.

I must be missing something, then. It won't let me restore from an external drive.

Does it see the drive in the restore options? I've done it so it is possible.

quote Originally posted by Loki: Does it see the drive in the restore options? I've done it so it is possible.

Are you doing it inside Windows through backup and recovery or through the Windows recovery media?

FOG http://www.fogproject.org/
clonezilla http://clonezilla.org/

I use the 2nd all the time for one offs or mass broadcasts. FOG is good for remote imaging.

[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 08-27-2014).]

Recovery media

quote Originally posted by Rallaster: Are you doing it inside Windows through backup and recovery or through the Windows recovery media?

quote Originally posted by Loki: Recovery media

One computer will backup and restore without a hitch, but the other refuses to make a complete image, even when it says it completed successfully. And I really don't want to start over with it since it's the slow drive. The SSD I really wouldn't have a problem starting over with since it's fast as hell with SATA 3(6.0gb/s) and would be going in a fast computer on a SATA 3 connection.

I'm looking at Clonezilla while I give it another go at making the image. I'm not holding my breath, though.

External hdd cloner?

quote Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist: External hdd cloner?

I dont think those work with differing sizes of drives or technologies.

I always use dd on Linux & gparted to resize the partition. Though I realize that it's not a Windows tool, it's what I use to clone & resize drives/partitions, including Windows drives/partitions.

quote Originally posted by no2pencil: I always use dd on Linux & gparted to resize the partition. Though I realize that it's not a Windows tool, it's what I use to clone & resize drives/partitions, including Windows drives/partitions.

not saying that is wrong, but clonezilla handles the resize in one step, and boot sectors.

You are not the first to tell me to replace that method with Clonezilla. I just never got around to using it.

Need to put that on my dry erase board.... "Download Clonezilla". For some reason it keeps escaping me.

Thanks