Disk Imaging Basics
Most backup discussions focus on files, but disk imaging is a different, more complete approach. Here's the general concepts worth understanding.
What a disk image actually captures
A disk image generally captures an entire drive — the operating system, installed programs, settings, and files — as a single complete snapshot, not just selected folders.
Why that matters for recovery
If a drive fails completely, a disk image can generally be used to restore a system to working order faster than reinstalling the operating system and every program individually.
Larger size, longer backup time
Because it captures everything, a disk image is typically much larger than a selective file backup and takes longer to create and upload.
Not the same as a system restore point
A disk image is a separate concept from your operating system's built-in restore points, which generally track fewer system changes rather than a complete drive snapshot.
This is general educational information about disk imaging as a concept, not step-by-step instructions for any specific tool. Check official documentation for your specific backup software's imaging feature.