Windows Vista Home Premium didn't have Complete PC Backup like the Bussiness and Ultimate editions.Will Windows 7 Home Premium have the System Image backup (not file and folder backup) as Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate do?

nLinked,This chart on the Microsoftwebsite doesn't show backup as a premium option. But this one shows it for all.

Have seen similar charts and I think one of them pointed out that this time, Home Premium will have system image backup, but it won't allow backups to a network share.Now the only reason I would buy Pro edition is for System Image backup (it owns!), but if Home has it then that would save me some money.Really need clarification on this...

nLinked,This chart on the Microsoftwebsite doesn't show backup as a premium option. But this one shows it for all. I see "Backup & Restore" on the chart you mention but I assumed that means file backup & restore rather than full image? Am I missing something? This pageshows that the System Image Backup feature is available in Professional & Ultimate. I would like to buy 3 copies of Home Premium at the introductory upgrade pricebut want image backup as I have with Vista Ultimate. Any further info will be appreciated.

You found the answer yourself. Full image backup is only available in Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate/Enterprise. All other editions have the file backup & restore option only. Home Premium cannot do the image based backup.Ray

nLinked,This chart on the Microsoftwebsite doesn't show backup as a premium option. But this one shows it for all. I see "Backup & Restore" on the chart you mention but I assumed that means file backup & restore rather than full image? Am I missing something? This pageshows that the System Image Backup feature is available in Professional & Ultimate. I would like to buy 3 copies of Home Premium at the introductory upgrade pricebut want image backup as I have with Vista Ultimate. Any further info will be appreciated. It is strange. Thispage on the other had says it applies to all editions :S

Have seen similar charts and I think one of them pointed out that this time, Home Premium will have system image backup, but it won't allow backups to a network share.Now the only reason I would buy Pro edition is for System Image backup (it owns!), but if Home has it then that would save me some money.Really need clarification on this... nLinked.... Based on the last link you posted and this one... System Image Applies to all editions of Windows 7I think you are probably correct about the difference being that backups to a network share are only avialable on Professional & Ultimate but that a System Image backup can be made to a local drive in all editions. If this turns out to be the "real" answer, I can live with Home Premium. It would be nice if Microsoft would clearly show the difference on their various Windows 7web pages.

Ed Bott has an article that says it's only missing network backup on all thelesser versions.

Ed Bott has an article that says it's only missing network backup on all thelesser versions. I think it's true then. Just looking on Wikipedia, go to the bottom and look at reference number 24:Manual System Image Backup to local hard disks or DVDs is available in all Windows 7 versions. Automatic scheduled backups and backups to network shares are not available in Home Premium, Home Basic, and Starter versions.Looks like it will be in Home Premium after all. That should save me some money. 7 is what Vista should have been...

dwolters...nLinked...Thanks for this info! I consider it great news.Lynn

I am not sure that it will be included. If it is, great, if not, I suggest getting Acronis True Image Home Edition for 49.00 list (I have seen it for less). This will give you a far more robust image backup system for the same or less money than you will spend on Win 7 Professional. I have been running this on Win 7 RC with no problems.Windows 7 beta dual booting with VISTA Home Premium 2 GB memory 160 HD Gateway Laptop HP Officejet 6310 All-in One inkjet printer Verizon FIOS Internet Connection

Ok. I installed Windows Home Premium RC, and I can confirm that it can create an image backup on hard disk or DVD in Windows 7 Home Premium.For those who wonder how I did it. The image of Windows 7 Home Premium is on the RC DVD, but there is no option to install it from the wizard. So I used ImageX to apply it to my VM and voila! At least it says it is Windows 7 Home Premium and I noticed a few restrictions that are typical for Home Premium. For instance I cannot joint the system to a domain.Ray

Ok. I installed Windows Home Premium RC, and I can confirm that it can create an image backup on hard disk or DVD in Windows 7 Home Premium.For those who wonder how I did it. The image of Windows 7 Home Premium is on the RC DVD, but there is no option to install it from the wizard. So I used ImageX to apply it to my VM and voila! At least it says it is Windows 7 Home Premium and I noticed a few restrictions that are typical for Home Premium. For instance I cannot joint the system to a domain. RayNice work ..now thats a real answer based on testing, not just speculation :)

Ok. I installed Windows Home Premium RC, and I can confirm that it can create an image backup on hard disk or DVD in Windows 7 Home Premium.For those who wonder how I did it. The image of Windows 7 Home Premium is on the RC DVD, but there is no option to install it from the wizard. So I used ImageX to apply it to my VM and voila! At least it says it is Windows 7 Home Premium and I noticed a few restrictions that are typical for Home Premium. For instance I cannot joint the system to a domain. Ray This is excellent news! I shall take this as my confirmation!

What's the command used to open/mount the image so you could use it?

What's the command used to open/mount the image so you could use it? You can mount the image in Windows 7 from Disk Management's menus.

I have just tried using the system image backup in Windows Home Premium and it says A system image is a copy of te drives required for Windows to run. You can use it to restore your computer if it stops working. This isn't what I understand as a full drive backup - so I will stick with Acronis

I have just tried using the system image backup in Windows Home Premium and it says A system image is a copy of te drives required for Windows to run. You can use it to restore your computer if it stops working.This isn't what I understand as a full drive backup - so I will stick with Acronis It makes an exact image of the partition Windowsis on, as well as any other partitions you select.

Checked on the detailed description - you are correct - but I have found another problem in my case. Windows is being too clever - I have a multiple boot system at present (Vista, Windows 7 RC and Windows 7) with Vista and Windows 7 on different drives. The system backup backs up both the Vista and Windows 7 partitions so as to maintain the Master Boot record so that it will boot correctly. Looks as though I will need to install another hard drive so as to backup both. It is however an excellent solution.

Turns out W7's backup is terribly slow. Useless for any real computer, but might be OK for a fresh install computer.

is very slow for a freshly installed computer too!! It is horrible... Almost 24 hrs to get to 74% how can this be a good business decision?