How can I create a bootable backup of my hard drive for a time when it dies using free software?

chevellemaster · Feb 9, 2015

I have a computer that I have restored and it is a low end gaming PC, I reused the SATA 1 HDD (250 GB) so it is really slow and it should die soon and I have installed Windows 8 Pro and upgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro and when Windows 10 comes out it will be free for the first year. From what I have seen, when you upgrade an OS, you still have the original key to your first OS. I want to keep Windows 10 even after the hard drive dies, so basically I want to back up the HDD and when it dies I will buy a new one (maybe an SSD) and just install Windows 10 or higher and not have to purchase a Windows 10 product key. I need a bootable backup because I will take a completely empty unallocated drive and install the OS I had before the hard drive died because I only have a windows 8 installation dvd and not windows 10. I am using AEOMI OneKey recovery 1.1 to make a new partition on the actual Hard drive for a time when I need to do a factory restore kinda like HP does, but this only works on the primary hard drive and I can't use it on any other hard drive except the one the OS is installed on. I would like this to be a bootable USB like a flash drive or my portable hard drive, but if I could create an installer\backup and save it as an ISO is could make a bootable USB after it dies. Does anyone know how to do any of this for free? Thanks for your help.

spannermonkey · Apr 8, 2015

chevellemaster :

I have a computer that I have restored and it is a low end gaming PC, I reused the SATA 1 HDD (250 GB) so it is really slow and it should die soon and I have installed Windows 8 Pro and upgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro and when Windows 10 comes out it will be free for the first year. From what I have seen, when you upgrade an OS, you still have the original key to your first OS. I want to keep Windows 10 even after the hard drive dies, so basically I want to back up the HDD and when it dies I will buy a new one (maybe an SSD) and just install Windows 10 or higher and not have to purchase a Windows 10 product key. I need a bootable backup because I will take a completely empty unallocated drive and install the OS I had before the hard drive died because I only have a windows 8 installation dvd and not windows 10. I am using AEOMI OneKey recovery 1.1 to make a new partition on the actual Hard drive for a time when I need to do a factory restore kinda like HP does, but this only works on the primary hard drive and I can't use it on any other hard drive except the one the OS is installed on. I would like this to be a bootable USB like a flash drive or my portable hard drive, but if I could create an installer\backup and save it as an ISO is could make a bootable USB after it dies. Does anyone know how to do any of this for free? Thanks for your help.

Hi, this was my question as well, but I'm resigned to the fact that cloning is the best option!!
Have you ever thought of Windows to Go? that could suit you better than cloning.

The Original Ralph · Apr 8, 2015

google for EaseUS ToDO Backup and download their free version - i've been using it since 2008 and love it

it will backup or clone - i use the clone method - gives me an exact image, including the directory tree you see in your normal OS drive, so that if you need to retrieve a file or folder from it, or want to update a folder in your cloned drive, you can locate it easily - the others seem to give you a single file for a backup that you cannot open until you back it up back to your orig drive

Acronis failed me twice when i needed the backup, so i went to EaseUS - if you select clone, be sure to check the "sector by sector" box - the back up or clone will be complete - when i swap SSDs in my computer the cloned SSD boots like it was the original, no programs need to be re-activated, or registered, saves me a ton of time. I use the clone whenever i get hit by an invasive malware or virus - it's easier to simply pop the cloned drive in, than waste time chasing solutions to ridding myself of the malware

when i do an update clone, running across sata III ports, SSD to SSD it takes me 22 minutes total

HDD to SSD might take 1 hour +

try it, you'll love it, and the interface is fairly easy to figure out

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How can I create a bootable backup of my hard drive for a time when it dies using free software?

chevellemaster

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The Original Ralph

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