DriveImage XML backup software

DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives. And it’s free!

The program allows you to:

Backup logical drives and partitions to image files

Browse these images, view and extract files

Restore these images to the same or a different drive

Copy directly from drive to drive

Schedule automatic backups with your Task Scheduler

Image creation uses Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Services (VSS), allowing you to create safe “hot images” even from drives currently in use.

Images are stored in XML files, allowing you to process them with 3rd party tools. Never again be stuck with a useless backup!

Restore images to drives without having to reboot.

DriveImage XML runs under Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista only. The program will backup, image and restore drives formatted with FAT 12, 16, 32 and NTFS.

In case of emergency (or other reasons) you can run DriveImage XML from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

[update 2008/6/12]

A Softpedia review of a test using XP and Vista had a little trouble with Vista, but still managed a backup.

Imaging freeware: SelfImage

A backup is just a copy of whatever you select.   An “image” is a complete copy, usually of your entire hard drive, exactly as it is at that moment.  An image is more complete, but takes longer.  Still, an image allows you to re-create your hard driveSelfImage is freeware and open source software.  Free Download a Day has a description of SelfImage.

“There are bunches of tools out there that will let you create an image of a hard drive. SelfImage will let you create an image of a partition that is currently in use. Many disk imaging apps, like Ghost, require that you boot from a floppy or a CD rather than from the hard drive if you’re going to make a copy of that drive, but not SelfImage.”

The advantage of being “open source” is that a lot of people are able to improve and update the software, so it’s more likely to continue into the future.