Introduction
To restore an entire system, two steps are required. First, a bootable USB flash drive has to be created (rescue system). This will allow you to boot your PC when it can no longer boot from your hard disk. You can then restore the disk image.
There's also the option to create a bootable CD / DVD instead. Since working with flash drives is easier, we'll focus on that here.
The second step involves backing up your entire drives to an external storage medium. We'll show you how to create the rescue system and back up your system drive ("C") in this article.
1. Rescue System
Launch the program and select "Rescue System".
2. Select rescue medium
Next, select "USB Stick" since this is what this article will focus on.
3. Preparation process / Windows Deployment Kit installation
Rescue System requires Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) to be installed on your PC. If it already present, you can skip this step and move to step 4.
Note: In any case, the USB drive will be formatted erasing all existing files.
Click "Yes" to confirm your selection.
3.1
If you see this dialog, ADK has to be installed first. Click "OK" to proceed.
3.2
Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) is installed.
4. USB rescue stick complete
The program will confirm the rescue medium has been created. Make sure to keep the stick safe as it'll allow you to boot your system in the event that Windows can no longer boot from your hard disk.
5. Create drive backup
It's time to create a new backup plan.
5.1 Select the Method for Creating the Backup Plan
Please choose the wizard for creating the backup plan (1).
6. Select storage type
For this example, I'll use "Local drive or network drive", since I'll back up the data to an external USB hard disk (point 1). Click "Next" to proceed (point 2).
7. Select backup drive
Now, select the drive that will hold the backup data. "E" is the aforementioned USB hard disk (point 1). Click "Next" to proceed (point 2).
8. Specify backup name
Input a name for the new backup plan. I'll go with "SystemBackup - 2018" (point 1). Click "Next" to proceed (point 2).
9. A shortcut to backup plans
There's a shortcut to creating the rescue system: Click "Weekly backup of all internal drives" (1) followed by "Next" (2). This will back up the contents of your internal drives on a weekly basis. For a one-time backup, select "one-time system drives backup".
10. Summary
Finally, you'll see a summary of your settings. Click "Back" to make modifications or "Next" to finish the backup plan.
11. Allow changes
Click "Yes" to allow the program to store the new plan.
12. Start backup
Ensure the target USB hard disk is still connected and click "Start Backup Now" to begin the backup process.
13. Your data is secure
You'll be notified once the backup process is complete.