The security of our data is a basic thing in these times, since the importance of the same does not stop growing over the years. That is why certain functions that we can carry out in operating systems, such as Windows itself, will be very helpful in these cases.
For this we have several alternatives, as is the case of the backups that we have talked about on so many occasions. These allow us to store everything we want in an additional location or disk drive to recover in case of disaster. We have already told you on many occasions that these backup programs should be used by most. This is something that includes both end users and large companies. In fact in the second case, with even more reason, as it is easy to imagine.
On the other hand, other similar solutions that we can use in this same sense, is creating an image of our hard drive. These, like the aforementioned backups that we have just discussed, will allow us to safeguard our data for later recovery.
What are and reasons for making a disk image
One of the main differences between the two modalities is that a backup is made on certain folders or files. These, as you can imagine, are stored in one of our disk drives. However, if we are talking about creating an image, this is generating a literal copy of a unit in its entirety. Thus, this disk image is conveniently stored in a single file that we can restore later.
The ideal when creating an image of a disk drive or partition, for example, is when we have just installed Windows and we have configured it according to our initial needs. Thus, later in time, we will have the possibility of returning to that same initial state whenever we want. This includes the applications that we plan to use on a regular basis, as well as their configuration .
The same can also be done just before making a big change to the system, for example before installing a Windows feature update. As we well know, these can bring serious problems, so if necessary, we can always draw on that created disk image.
Whatever the case, they are innumerable in what to create an element of this type, it will be enough to have the unit where we keep said image. Thus, making use of it, we will return to an earlier point in the system where everything was working well, or at least to our liking.
Programs for imaging hard drives
Clonezilla, the best open source backup program
Clonezilla is one of the best programs to create images of our hard drives, SSDs and their partitions. This program allows us to create complete backup copies of our entire system, and restore them if necessary without relying on additional software. Clonezilla runs before the operating system (Live-CD), so we can use it from both Windows and Linux, even when the computer fails.
Among the main features that Clonezilla we can highlight that it supports practically any file format and all types of drives, is compatible with UEFI systems and has redundancy systems to reduce the probability of errors. Its main drawback is that it does not have a graphical interface. Everything is done from commands (although with a simple and complete wizard). Many users will find this tool quite complicated to use, although, to be honest, it is one of the most complete, safe and functional.
We can download Clonezilla from its main website .
Rescuezilla (Redo Backup & Recovery), the exclusive alternative to Clonezilla
Reescuezilla , formerly known as Redo Beackup & Recovry, is one of the best alternatives to the previous one for those looking for something with a graphical interface. This program is very simple to use, and it will allow us to create backup copies of our hard drives, or SSDs, with all their data and settings to be able to restore these hard drives in case of system failure. It can boot from a Live-CD, and works with both Windows and Linux. It can also access network drives and allow you to restore files individually. A great alternative for users for whom Clonezilla finds it difficult.
We can download Rescuezilla from here .
AOMEI OneKey Recovery, ideal for laptops
This tool is somewhat different from the previous ones. While the above programs allow us to create images from any hard disk to restore them later through the same program, AOMEI OneKey Recovery allows us to create a recovery partition of the system itself, something similar to what laptops bring when we buy them to restore them from factory.
This program creates a new hidden partition on our main hard drive, and will save a personalized recovery image of our system in it. Thus, we can use it to restore the system to the state of the creation date whenever we need it. A great option for computers that don’t have a recovery partition, or for those who want to customize it.
We can download the AOMEI tool from this link .
Macrium Reflect Free Edition, complete solution to create images
This is one of the most complete proposals of this type that we will find in this regard. This is Macrium Reflect 7 Free Edition, which as its name indicates, will not cost us a single euro. Therefore we will tell you that we find a software that will be very helpful both to create images of complete disks , and to make backup copies.
It is worth mentioning that this is a powerful solution that allows us to work in this regard, both with certain partitions created, and to create images of complete units. It is also important to know that you can download it from this link .
Active Disk Image, create disk images without complications
This is another alternative of this type that we could also include within the complete ones in terms of functionality, although it is not difficult to use. As you can imagine this proposal allows us to save our data stored on a disk drive , in an image that we create from here. At the same time and also from here, we can also restore it whenever we need it.
We can download it from here , and we have a free version or a somewhat more limited Lite in terms of functionalities to give us an idea of how it works. At the same time, it should be mentioned that the program has a compression function that makes it easier for us to store these images if necessary.
ODIN, simplicity of use above all
There are users who when creating disk images want the software solution to be as complete as possible. However, on the contrary, there are those who seek and need simplicity. Well, this is precisely the case that we are going to talk about in these lines now. In fact, we are facing one of the most simple and affordable proposals of this type for anyone. But that does not mean that it is worse than the rest when it comes to creating images of the hard disk .
In fact, in its user interface, we basically only find two working modes, one to create the image, and the other to restore it. It is worth mentioning that it supports only the IMG format , and allows us to configure some basic parameters. For all this, just download it from this link .
HDClone, make exact copies of discs
Here we find another free program similar to those discussed above that, as its name lets us see, makes a copy of the disk drive. This is saved as an image so that we can retrieve it when we need it in the future. In this way, in a few steps we can safeguard all the data stored on a specific disk drive for later use.
Here it is worth noting that we can carry out that exact copy of the disk both with internal drives installed on the PC and with removable ones . Devices like USB flash drives , for example, come into play here. In order to test the benefits of this application right now, we can do it through this link .
DiskWizard, create images with Seagate software
One of the world’s best-known disk drive manufacturers is Seagate. Well, for your own devices or for any other, we present your own solution of this same type. It is the application called DiscWizard and it allows us to make backups and create complete images of disk drives easily. Saying this is something that works with both internal and external drives.
Also, if you want to try it, you can do it from this link .
Create an image from a CD or DVD
If what we want to save in image format are CDs or DVDs, then we will also be able to do it with the following programs. As you can imagine, this will allow us to have a backup copy of the physical media that we mentioned, for example, to store over time. Similar to those discussed with the previous programs, these ISO images allow us to have an image in digital format of the physical medium on CD or DVD in case it suffers some type of damage.
For all this we can use a series of useful tools that will be very helpful in these cases. Therefore, below we will talk about some of the most representative and used cases in the sector.
ImgBurn, the lightweight image creator
There are options of this type more complex than others, but if what we are looking for is simplicity without complications, this is an excellent alternative. We are talking about ImgBurn , a simple and light program that allows us to comfortably create and manage disk images such as those discussed. This software makes available to us all the functions necessary to carry out these tasks, all through its intuitive interface.
Say that to test it we can download it from this link and we can create a disk image in the most common formats such as ISO , IMG, BIN, CDI, etc. It has also been with us for many years, so its reliability is more than proven.
Daemon Tools Lite, create images with additional functions
Here we are going to talk about another alternative of this same type that offers us a free version, but with ads. It also offers us multiple additional options in order to create disk images in the best way, unless it suits our needs. At the same time it allows us to burn CDs and DVDs and is compatible with the most common formats of the aforementioned images.
Among these we can refer to some as popular as ISO, MDX, or MDS . In order to download and test this program first hand, we can do it from this link .
InfraRecorder, to create images or burn CD / DVD
Many of the programs that specialize or at least allow us to create the disk images we are talking about, at the same time they allow us to create CDs and DVDs . It is not something that always happens, but for example in this case, it is. Therefore, through a simple and functional user interface, we will have the opportunity, as we mentioned before, to create our own images of complete disk drives.
This is something that we can try right now through this download link . Of course, we must bear in mind that in this case we find a somewhat more limited program in terms of format compatibility. Therefore, if we decide on it, we must know that we can create a disk image using ISO or BIN / CUE formats.
