How to Create a Mirror Image of My Computer on Windows? Best Solutions
Have you ever imagined what you would lose if the system crashed? Have you realized the importance of backing up your data? It would be huge trouble to recover these files or data if you don't backup them. So, creating a mirror image of your computer is necessary. And creating a mirror image can help you copy all your important data to avoid data loss. In the following passage, I'll introduce more details about how to create a mirror image of my computer.
Why do I Need to Create a Mirror Image of My Computer
We need to know what is a mirror image first. In short, a mirror image is a file form that contains all the files on your computer. If you created a mirror image of your computer, it means that you saved all your computer's disks and operational programs. And let's take a look at what benefits we can get if we create a mirror image of a computer:
- Avoid data loss:When system formatting or system crashes happen, you can recover your data if you have already created a mirror image.
- Protect the data: Sometimes you may delete data accidentally, or a virus may infect the computer. With a system image, you can protect your data.
- Reduce the workload:You don't need to re-download all the programs when reinstalling the system. Instead, you can create system image Windows 10 for another computer and directly restore the original system settings.
How Do I Create a Mirror Image of My Computer
After knowing the necessity of creating a mirror image of my computer, it's time to understand to do that. In this passage, I'll introduce two ways of creating a mirror image: one system image software and one built-in program of Windows 10. And before going into the details of the procedure, let's look at the two solutions and compare which is more suitable for you to create a mirror image.
Method 1: Mirror Image Software- Qiling Backup
Qiling Backup Home is third-party backup software for professional system backup and recovery. It is specialized in data protection. This software can quickly backup all information, such as system, disk, and partition, perform system image recovery, and clone hard drive to SSD.
Method 2: Windows 10 Mirror Image Backup- Backup and Restore
The Windows system has two backups: File History and Backup and Restore. The first one is mainly for files. The latter is mainly used to create system images. Backup and Restore is based on the design of Windows 7, but now it can also be used in Windows 10 and 11.
Comparison of the two ways to Create a Mirror Image of My Computer
After understanding the general content of these two methods, let's compare them to choose the most suitable backup method.
| Comparison | Backup and Restore | Qiling Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Backup content is large and it takes a long time to process. |
With different backup plans, the efficiency is higher, and the speed is faster. |
| Backup Type | This way just supports full backup. | Differential backup and incremental backup are available. |
| Backup Location | Sometimes it can't recognize the external hard disk. | It can support all external hard drives. |
| System Restore | You can only restore the whole system instead of individual files. | It can help do partition backup and restore |
Recommendation:
By comparing the two methods, Windows built-in tool is sufficient for simple backup needs. And you can also do other operations during the process of creating a mirror image of your computer. But it will cost a lot of time. And in terms of backup speed, backup type, and security, Qiling Backup is a wise choice. If you choose Qiling Backup, you can improve your backup efficiency and protect your system files better. You won't regret choosing this reliable software. And the operation of Qiling Backup is simple. Let's take a look!
How to create a Mirror Image of My Computer with Qiling Backup
Qiling Backup is easy to operate. After you have made sure of your backup requirements and backup destination, you can begin the process of creating a mirror image on your computer.
Step 1. To start backup, click the File backup button.
Step 2. On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Selecting the files to be backed up by expanding the directory.
Step 3. Follow the instructions on the screen and pick the location where you wish to store the backup.
Step 4. In Backup Options, click Options to encrypt the backup with a password. There are a variety of customizable features available for you to explore, and you may tailor the backup operation to meet your specific requirements.
Specify the backup schedule, and choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event in Backup Scheme.
Step 5. Backups can be stored on a local disk, in Qiling's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).
Step 6. Qiling Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.
If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.
Step 7. To begin a backup, choose Proceed. It will appear in the shape of a card on the left-hand panel when the backup process has been successfully finished. To handle the backup job in more detail, click on it.
- Tip
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If you have other requirements, Qiling Backup can also meets your needs:
1. Automatic Backup: You can choose to backup the system automatically every day, every week, or every month.
2. Secure Backup: You can set the password, and the system image will be compressed and encrypted.
3. Comprehensive Backup: It supports all kinds of Windows systems. Besides, the backup location can be on an external hard disk, NAS, or cloud.
4. Flexible Backup: it supports full, incremental, differential backup.
How to create a Mirror Image of My Computer with Backup and Restore
With the built-in tool, you also need a prepare one external hard drive. And the capacity needs to be sufficient enough. After you connect the USB to your computer, you need to check if it works well. And then, we can follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1: Open your Windows setting and find "Control Panel" to begin to create a mirror image of my computer.
Step 2: Click "System and Security" and find "Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to create a mirror image.
Step 3: After opening the "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)", you can find "Create a system image" on the left side and choose it.
Step 4: And then, you will see a pop-up window. You can choose the backup location. On a hard disk? Or on a DVD? Or a network location? All areas are available.
Step 5: After you decide where you want to save the backup, you need to choose which drives to include in the backup.
Step 6: Next, confirm your settings and click "Start Backup" to begin the backup process.
- Notice:
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If you want to backup the entire computer image, it will occupy most of the
space. And for data safety, it's better to create system image Windows 10 on USB.
Conclusion
After reading this passage, we should be more precise about system backup and be familiar with the solutions of how to create a mirror image of my computer. Creating a mirror image of my computer is indispensable to ensure routine work. And it would help if you did it regularly to protect your operational data better. Therefore, Qiling Backup must be your first choice. And if you want to know more, you can download it or go to the official website of Qiling.
FAQs of How to Create a Mirror Image of my Computer.
There still exist some other questions that you may be a little confused about. And to create a mirror image of your computer better, let's solve these questions:
1. What is a mirror image?
A mirror image is a copy of your system files, operational data, and programs. You can save all your important files if you create a mirror image.
2. How do you make a mirror image of your hard drive?
It would be best if you used third-party software to make a mirror image of your hard drive. And then, you can copy your disk.
3. How do I mirror my computer?
You can mirror your computer with Windows built-in tool. Find "Control Panel" and then create a mirror image on "System and Security." Or you can trust reliable software, such as Qiling Backup. And you can quickly finish the backup process.
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