Disk imaging software

Disk imaging software takes a complete snapshot of all the data stored on your computer’s hard drive. It’s a good way to back up everything on your system, so you can reload it – complete with all saved files, programs and preferences – in the event of a major system crash or hard drive failure.

Disk imaging software explained

Disk imaging software isn’t just designed to guard against problems. It can also assist you when you buy a new computer and want to move everything to it from your old one.

When you transfer a disk image, all your settings and programs will be preserved. Unlike other forms of backup, you won’t be required you to reinstall software and manually set it up the way you like it.

You can also use disk imaging software to create a standard configuration for new computers. This is most often used by businesses who want to have the same software and settings on all of their PCs.

To use disk imaging software, you’ll need somewhere to store the image of your disk. Although you can save it to your main hard drive, this means that if the hard drive fails, you’ll lose the image as well as the original copy of your data.

Many people purchase an extra hard drive instead. This makes it easy to transfer the image to other computers too. All you have to do is plug the hard drive in.

Getting started with disk imaging software

Disk imaging software isn’t a direct replacement for other backup software. You should use the two together, because although disk imaging software makes it easy to reconstruct your entire system, it’s hard or impossible to restore individual files.

For extra security, get disk imaging software with built in encryption and password protection. After all, you don’t want just anyone getting their hands on your data.

Disk imaging software is the easiest way to recover your system in the event of a disastrous crash. Instead of having to spend hours going back to the factory settings, then installing all your software individually, it enables you to restore your computer, the way you like it – with little hassle.