O Windows 7 inclui um sistema de backup baseado em imagem que fará o backup de suas unidades "como estão", para que você possa restaurá-las como tal, em caso de falha do sistema.
Ele é chamado Backup e restauração do Windows . Especificamente, o recurso "Backup de imagem do sistema".
Você pode ler mais sobre as Perguntas frequentes, em " What ferramentas de backup fornecidas pelo Windows? ":
Windows Backup provides you with the ability to create a system image, which is an exact image of a drive. A system image includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it is a complete restoration; you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced. Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When you set up scheduled file backup, you can choose whether you want to include a system image. This system image only includes the drives required for Windows to run. You can manually create a system image if you want to include additional data drives.