> I've got an old laptop that I have just installed Windows 8 and everything else I
> need on it. Basically I want to clone the drive so I can restore it to just as it is
> now in the event someone else installs a bunch of junk that I want to get rid of. Is
> there a good free software for doing that? System Restore doesn't quite do that, does
> it?
>
> Also, is it possible to make a second partition on the hard drive and put the restore
> image on there? So I don't have to restore from USB or DVD or something.
Virtual images are good for virtualization, but IMHO you need a dedicated backup utility.
To move data around to create that second partition, Partition Wizard has a free edition which *I think* can do that (sorry if I'm wrong):
http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
And for the backup, I use the free edition of Macrium Reflect, which to this day a) does all I need to do and b) hasn't failed me even if the scariest circumstances:
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
Just be sure that "intelligent sector copy" is enabled, and choose high compression. While it takes somewhat longer (the high compression), the result is sensibly smaller.
Also be sure that before each backup, you clean temp folders, browser caches and alikes, you'll save even more space and time.
However, if you can plug-in a big enough pendrive or usb drive to do a first backup before moving data around to create that second partition, it'd be better.
Wound up, can't sleep, can't do anything right, little honey / Oh, since I set my eyes on you. / I tell you the truth.
I can't get it right / Get it right / Since I met you...
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Re: Best way to clone and restore hard drive?
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