Differences between backup and system image

Question

Split from this thread.

Can you explain ?

What results we get when we do a System Image? How we can use a System Image do restore the system? What are the settings that a user can change of the System Image facility?

The same questions to:

a) System Backup

b) Data Drives, Folders and Files Backup

Can you explain, please?

Can you tell us where to find explanations about?

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.*** 

**Post split by moderator due to thread age**

Answer 1

From the first hit produced by that search (note particularly the last sentence of the first paragraph):

A system image is an exact copy of a drive. By default, a system image includes the drives required for Windows to run. It also includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration—you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced with the contents of the system image.

Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When you set up Windows Backup, you can let Windows choose what to back up, which will include a system image, or you can select the items that you want to back up and whether you want to include a system image.

Full backup is the starting point for all other backups and contains all the data in the folders and files that are selected to be backed up. Because the full backup stores all files and folders, frequent full backups result in faster and simpler restore operations. Remember that when you choose other backup types, restore jobs may take longer.

Full backups, if you have the time to perform them, offer the best solution in data protection. In effect, a single backup can provide the ability to completely restore all backed-up files.