I was wondering if the System Image was a "superset" of an image of the C: drive? In other words, if I have System Image do I need to do an image backup of the C: drive in addition? 

Also, does a C: Image follow the user folders (Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc.) if they have been moved to another drive?

A "system image" isn't a formally defined term, so there isn't a clear answer to that question.  An image backup includes whatever partitions you select.  If you want to capture images that are meant to be able to restore your system to a bootable state, in the upper-left corner of Reflect under the Backup Tasks heading, you'll see an option called "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows".  Click that, and whatever partitions are already selected in the first step of the wizard that appears should be considered your "minimum viable system image".  You can of course add other partitions/disks if desired, but I wouldn't recommend subtracting any.  Again, this assumes your intent is to create a "system image".  There are certainly other reasons you might capture images of other non-system partitions or disks individually.

An image of a given partition includes exactly what's on that partition -- nothing more, nothing less.  Choosing to back up a given partition will never automatically back up any data from any other partition.  If you've redirected your user profile folders elsewhere, you'll need to include that partition in your backup as well if you want it to be backed up along with your operating system, although some people redirect their profile folders specifically so they can back up that data as part of a separate job.  I believe (but have not confirmed) that a partition that hosts redirected profile folder contents would NOT automatically be included in the aforementioned "minimum viable system image" wizard button, because technically that doesn't make the partition necessary to boot Windows.  Also note that you wouldn't be able to back up only your profile data on that other partition, because again, an image backup has to include an entire partition.  If you only want to back up certain data on a non-system partition, you may want to consider having a separate File & Folder backup job for your profile folders.

+x

 

jphughan - 2 December 2018 4:52 AM

A "system image" isn't a formally defined term, so there isn't a clear answer to that question.  An image backup includes whatever partitions you select.  If you want to capture images that are meant to be able to restore your system to a bootable state, in the upper-left corner of Reflect under the Backup Tasks heading, you'll see an option called "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows".  Click that, and whatever partitions are already selected in the first step of the wizard that appears should be considered your "minimum viable system image".  You can of course add other partitions/disks if desired, but I wouldn't recommend subtracting any.  Again, this assumes your intent is to create a "system image".  There are certainly other reasons you might capture images of other non-system partitions or disks individually.

An image of a given partition includes exactly what's on that partition -- nothing more, nothing less.  Choosing to back up a given partition will never automatically back up any data from any other partition.  If you've redirected your user profile folders elsewhere, you'll need to include that partition in your backup as well if you want it to be backed up along with your operating system, although some people redirect their profile folders specifically so they can back up that data as part of a separate job.  I believe (but have not confirmed) that a partition that hosts redirected profile folder contents would NOT automatically be included in the aforementioned "minimum viable system image" wizard button, because technically that doesn't make the partition necessary to boot Windows.  Also note that you wouldn't be able to back up only your profile data on that other partition, because again, an image backup has to include an entire partition.  If you only want to back up certain data on a non-system partition, you may want to consider having a separate File & Folder backup job for your profile folders.

Let me make myself clearer for my purpose. My C: drive is an SSD containing only the Windows system, installed programs, and a minimum of data files, most of which reside on other drives. This is my "System" drive. If I select "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows" and choose all of the partitions on this disk, would that include all of the content that would be included "Image disks on this computer" and chose the system disk PLUS the necessary disaster recovery files to reinstall the OS?. I'm just trying to decide if I must perform both image backups or just the ''restore Windows" image to get a complete backup of the C: drive..

Your term "complete backup of C drive" in the context used seems to indicate that files referenced from, but not stored on, the C drive are part of the C drive partition  but they are not. You need to backup the partition that actually contains the files to capture them.
You need to make a list of the partitions that contain the files you want to back up and ensure they are included in the image or in a separate image or a files and folders backup.

+x

 

Seekforever - 2 December 2018 3:00 PM

Your term "complete backup of C drive" in the context used seems to indicate that files referenced from, but not stored on, the C drive are part of the C drive partition  but they are not. You need to backup the partition that actually contains the files to capture them.
You need to make a list of the partitions that contain the files you want to back up and ensure they are included in the image or in a separate image or a files and folders backup.

OK, we don't seem to be on the same page. Perhaps this will help to simplify.

I will call my "system drive" the SSD which includes all partitions included. The entire contents of the SSD.
When I choose "Create an image of the partitions required to backup and restore Windows" I will ALWAYS select all partitions on that drive.
When I choose "Image selected disks on this computer" I will ALWAYS select all partitions on that drive.

My question was: will the results of either of these backups be the same WITH THE EXCEPTION that the Windows backup will contain files and configurations not included with a simple image backup of that disk? Or will I have to run both of these backups to ensure I get the entire contents of the SSD as well as the ability to restore Windows?

hurricane51:

If you are selecting all partitions on Drive 0 (C: drive and other partitions), and your Windows installation resides on the C: drive, then there is no need to run both backup jobs.  Imaging a selected disk and all its partitions will enable you to fully restore your computer, including Windows, application program files, and data files that reside on the SSD.

Personally I don't create "System Images".  I have a primary hard drive, which contains partitions C:, G:, and an unnamed boot partition, and I simply select image the selected disk, and include all of the partitions.  "System Images" typically default to only restore the partitions required to boot Windows, and may omit other data partitions.  Of course, you can add data partitions to the "System Image", if you so desire.

I hope that this helps.  Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

Jobs that include the same partition selection will include the same data, regardless of how you started the wizard that created the job. The two options you’re talking about just cause the wizard to have different partitions selected at the first step of the wizard. There is no other difference in how the job works after that. The option I mentioned achieves the purpose I described. The “Image selected disks” option opens the wizard with whatever partitions you selected beforehand in the main Reflect interface already selected in the wizard. Both of those options allow you to customize your partition selection in the wizard beyond the initial selection.

If you still have questions or concerns, it might help to post a screenshot of your disk and partition layout as a Reflect sees it, which is shown under the “Create a backup” tab.

+x

 

jphughan - 2 December 2018 5:31 PM

Jobs that include the same partition selection will include the same data, regardless of how you started the wizard that created the job. The two options you’re talking about just cause the wizard to have different partitions selected at the first step of the wizard. There is no other difference in how the job works after that. The option I mentioned achieves the purpose I described. The “Image selected disks” option opens the wizard with whatever partitions you selected beforehand in the main Reflect interface already selected in the wizard. Both of those options allow you to customize your partition selection in the wizard beyond the initial selection.

If you still have questions or concerns, it might help to post a screenshot of your disk and partition layout as a Reflect sees it, which is shown under the “Create a backup” tab.

Thanks to all who replied. This is exactly the answer I was looking for.

hurricane51:

You are most welcome.  Happy imaging!

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil