Need a quick and easy way to back up and restore Windows without relying on backup tools or the cloud for your data?

Several third-party Windows backup and restore tools are available, but they can be complicated and time-consuming to use. So, why not learn how to make an ISO image of your Windows PC instead?

Why Choose a Windows Image Backup?

We all know that backing up our data is essential, especially when upgrading to a new Windows version. But rather than fiddle around with partitions for specific data or syncing to the cloud, why not simply back up your entire Windows installation?

You can add personal folders to an image backup but omit apps and games. Alternatively, you could opt to create an image of your entire system drive. Naturally, you would need a suitable volume of storage for such a backup.

Thanks to the ISO image format, it is possible to back up your entire PC. This essentially creates an exact copy of your entire drive or selected directories. In addition, you'll be able to restore the image backup should disaster strike. You can also use ISO files to back up existing CDs and DVDs.

Creating a Windows 10 ISO System Image With DataNumen

One widespread use for disk images is creating a clone of your hard storage (hard disk drive or solid-state drive), which might be on its last legs.

DataNumen Disk Image (a.k.a. "DDKI") is one such solution, runs on all versions of Windows and is available as freeware. After downloading and installing the utility, use the Clone tab to select the drive you wish to make an image of; to clone multiple drives, use the Batch Clone tab.

DataNumen Disk image

Select the destination location and assign a filename in the Output image file as a box, where you should select the target disk drive. This is the device you're using to save the backup. It might be an existing external drive or an HDD you've recently purchased.

Once you click Start Cloning, it will copy your disk to its destination device, ready to use. Our look at HDD cloning covers this topic in greater depth.

Download: DataNumen Disk Image for Windows 10

How to Create an ISO File of Windows 7

Although cloud backups are straightforward, there's no reason not to prepare an ISO disk image for disaster recovery scenarios. You might make an image of the system in its current state. You might alternatively create an image of a freshly installed operating system. Perhaps this will include some apps and games that you have installed.

If you're using Windows 7, backing up to an ISO disk image is part of the Windows 7 backup and restore feature.

To create a system image in Windows 7, open Start > Getting Started > Back up your files. Then, in the left-hand pane, click Create a system image, and select the destination.

Windows 7 ISO

This might be an external hard disk drive or some other large volume. You can also write to DVDs (you'll need more than one) or Blu-ray.

Do you have a home server or some ample storage on your network, perhaps in the shape of a purchased NAS? If so, you can use the On a network location option. If you want to use a USB flash device, connect this to your computer in advance and select it as the destination.

Also, ensure that the System drive (by default, the C: drive) is selected.

The confirmation screen will detail how much space will be taken up by the backup. Check this to ensure the figure matches the remaining space on the target device; then proceed with the backup and wait while it completes. The duration will depend on the size of the backup and the speed of the drive.

Restoring the Windows 7 Disk Image

Once complete, Windows will suggest you create a system restore disc. This is a good idea, so find a blank disc and follow the instructions. You can then use this to boot your PC and select the System Image Recovery option to restore the ISO Disk Image of your Windows installation following a disaster scenario.

Creating an ISO Disk Image in Windows 8.1

The same tool for creating a disk image is available in later versions of Windows. Therefore, you ideally need to have upgraded Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 (or even learn how to upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 11) before proceeding here.

To find the system image creation tool, press Start and search for "file history." The automatic search will display Restore your files with File History entry first, so click this to open the File History tool, then System Image Backup in the lower-left corner.

File History Windows 8

You can then proceed as detailed in the Windows 7 section above. With the ISO backup created, use the steps for Windows 8.1 below to restore the image in Windows 10.

In a disaster recovery scenario, you will need to boot into Windows 10's Safe Mode to restore the image. See how to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10 for more information.

Restoring Your Windows 8.1 Disk Image

If a Windows 10 upgrade doesn't work out for you (perhaps you'll experience a reboot loop), having an ISO image to fall back on is a massive advantage. You can restore the Windows 8.1 disk image in Windows' Advanced options screen, which you will find by pressing F8 repeatedly when your PC boots up (or holding Shift as you click Restart).

In Advanced Startup Options, select Repair your Computer > System Image Recovery and follow the instructions, ensuring that Windows can find the ISO file.

Note that you can still restore the disk image even if you have the Windows 8.1 installation media. At the Install now screen, use the Repair your computer link and then Repair.

From here, you'll be redirected to the Advanced Startup menu, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery, and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your Windows ISO system image.

Creating a Windows 10 ISO File With Windows Media Creation

Microsoft recommends creating an ISO image of your Windows 10 using the Windows Media Creation tool. Windows 10 users can download the software for free from Microsoft. You can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 10 USB stick quickly, update the PC to Windows 10, or create the Windows 10 ISO image.

Windows Media Selection Tool

To create an ISO image with the Windows Media Creation Tool:

  1. Download and launch the Windows Media Creation tool
  2. Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO) for another PC and click on Next
  3. You now need to select the system architecture (you can choose to create a system image of either 64-bit, 32-bit, or both), language, and Windows edition. If these options confuse you, you can always rely on Use the recommended options for this PC. Click on Next to proceed.
  4. Select ISO file, and once you click Next, the Media Creation tool will create the ISO image.

It is recommended to have an 8GB USB stick at least to back up the ISO file.

Download: Windows 10 Media Creation Tool for Windows

Create a Windows 11 ISO File With Media Creation Tool

Similar to Windows 10, you can easily create an ISO file on your Windows 11 thanks to the Media Creation Tool made available by Windows 11. Head to the official Windows 11 downloads page, and grab the Installation Media from there. Once you have the files, follow the steps below to get started:

  • Launch the installation .exe file.
  • On the next dialog box, click on Accept.
  • Choose the Language and Edition and click on Next.
  • Select the ISO file radio box and click on Next.
  • Choose the path where you'd like to store the ISO file and click on Next.

That's it. The ISO file will be successfully downloaded, and you can use it at any time in the future.

Download: Windows 11 Media Creation Tool

Backup Your Windows PC With an ISO File

As you can see, creating an ISO image backup of your entire Windows system is perfect for backing up in advance of a significant system upgrade. Additionally, the speed with which the ISO can be created and subsequently restored should make it a far more attractive option than just backing up your data and hoping for the best.