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Image from within or without Windows

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I have always imaged from within Windows (successfully) but I was just reading a Windows Secrets forum article where an experienced techie said he only ever imaged from the bootable disc so that Windows is truly out of the way. Is there any veracity in that method?

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Hello Peter,

Thank you for your post, I'll be glad to address it.

This method makes sense: when you're backing up the machine from the bootable CD, OS on the machine is intact, as it's not working and bootable media makes no interaction with it (as the product within Windows does). When backing up running machine you need to remember that it's still working and some files are changing right during the backup process.

However both methods are secure and working, and it's up to you to decide which one to choose.

Let us know if something's confusing you, we'll be glad to clarify.

Thank you.

Thank you for your reply. No, nothing is confusing me I just wondered if outside Windows was a more reliable and better method of imaging.

Peter,

Most users image within Windows, but most users restore from the CD. The difference in reliability is clearly there on the restore side.