System Backup and Recovery Checklist

What to protect

Record the disks and partitions needed for startup, installed applications and working data. Keep application installers, license records and encryption recovery information accessible separately. A recovery USB and a backup of personal files serve different purposes.

Prepare before a failure

1. Create a whole-system image on a separate destination.
2. Create bootable recovery media with the imaging application.
3. Start the recovery environment and confirm that it can see the internal drive and backup location. Check network access if the backup is on a server.
4. Store recovery credentials separately from the computer and record which application created the image.
5. Schedule new backups after significant changes and retain more than one recovery date.

Recover in a controlled order

1. Identify whether you need one file, a partition or a complete system. Choose the smallest suitable recovery action.
2. If the original disk is failing, avoid restoring onto it; use a healthy replacement.
3. Boot the recovery media and choose a backup from before the incident.
4. Verify the destination disk and restore the required layout.
5. Boot the recovered system, check important files and resume backups after confirming normal operation.

What this does not replace

A restore point, a synchronized folder and an installation USB are not equivalent to a complete system backup. Keep file versions for frequent changes and another copy away from the computer. Microsoft documents the differences between Windows recovery options.

Related guides

• Create a disk image
• Protect personal files
• Choose a recovery workflow

Sources and further reading

• O&O DiskImage 23
• Paragon Hard Disk Manager 17