Windows 7 Image Restoration

I've been having issues with my audio drivers for my Windows 7 PC and after working with it for HOURS, have decided that my only option to get it working again is to reinstall my operating system. I am using the Windows 7 built-in backup utility to backup to my Western Digital 500GB drive, and I guess it's created an image of my hard drive. When I reinstall, the only thing I want to restore are my files. I don't care about preferences, programs, drivers, etc. I want a clean installation with only a restoration of my files. Will the image basically restore my hard drive to the state it was before I wiped and reinstall the bad driver or will I be able to only restore my files? If so, what would be the best way to go about backing up files only?

I'm primarily an OS X (and Linux) user and have been spoiled by Time Machine :) Any advice? Thanks in advance!

asked Jul 14 '12 at 14:55

PCLinux7
1.3k●17●22●39

5 Answers:

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You will likely restore the programmes and preferences too as certain files are needed to make these work. It all depends on what type of backup you have created. A regular disk image will be file for file, programme for programme the same as it was when it was backed up. Apple's Time Machine is great and allows you to specify what you wish to restore but a general disk image clone will not allow you to do this.

answered Jul 14 '12 at 15:11

Fish
7.3k●109●144●215

0	Try updating the lower level drivers in the system menu in device manager. Sometimes that helps. You can also go back to a previous restore point in system restore if you haven't been having this problem for long. answered Jul 14 '12 at 17:57 ClosetFuturist 1.7k●6●14●27

If you used the "make an image" choice for this backup, then no, you cannot choose individual files to reinstall.

There is also a choice of backing up specific files/folders only- those are capable of individual access.

Best thing to do (for next time) is to simply buy a decent imaging program, like Acronis True Image (recommended). ATI does a full image but it also allows you to browse this image for individual files.

HTH,

answered Jul 14 '12 at 23:54

geekomatic
1.8k●11●13●36

Create a new partition and install Windows on that if you have enough disk space. That way you get the clean install but your files remain intact. You can then redirect the Windows folders (Documents etc.) and reinstall/reconnect programs as you wish. When you're completely happy delete the dual boot option and delete the old Windows structure at your leisure.

answered Jul 15 '12 at 12:09

dunfiddlin
1.2k●4●18

That's pretty slick.

(Jul 15 '12 at 12:40) ClosetFuturist

You could also just open up the .iso image in Linux and browse through all the files that way just dragging them over.

(Jul 15 '12 at 19:19) Drmgiver

0	Acronis True Image is great! but an alternative is just to use something like Microsoft Synctoy (Free) to sync all your files to your external Hard Drive. Then reinstall windows, install synctoy again and sync back. answered Jul 19 '12 at 07:06 robey 16●7●7●13

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