Why Disk Imaging Software?

You have valuable data on your computer—projects, photos, email, even financial records. The data is irreplaceable, but doing complex backups of each type of data takes time and effort.

Disk imaging software is a good choice for those who don't want to spend hours or even days backing up important data. This software makes a perfect copy, or "image" of your computer hard drive so you can spend your time on more important things. However, selecting the right software can be a chore. How do you know which features and disk-imaging tools will meet your needs?

On this site, you'll find articles on disk imaging topics and comprehensive reviews to help you make an informed decision on which disk imaging software is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don't have to.™

What to Look for in Disk Imaging Software

Disk imaging software should be reliable, versatile and easy to understand, or you won't bother using it. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate disk imaging software:

• Feature Set – Disk imaging software tools should do more than just make backup copies, they should also allow custom, automated images, have the ability to use these images to create a boot disk and the power to delete or format a drive. We value disk imaging software that includes all these necessary tools in one package.
• Ease of Use – Some disk imaging programs are designed for computer technicians, but we looked for disk imaging software that featured easy-to-use controls and intuitive design. Disk imaging software for the home market should be self-explanatory, so even a computer novice can install the program and create a disk image.
• Backup/Restore Process – Making an image should be simple, as should the ability to select the details, like data compression rate. The image must be easy to restore to your computer and operate just like your original-without glitches.

  Using the same computer and the same compression rate (ratio of data to storage space), we timed how long it took each program to backup the same set of data. Software that created an image quickly, without errors, ranked higher.

• Help/Support – Just like the spare tire you keep in your car, disk imaging software can keep you going when your computer's hard drive finally goes out. To read our top-ranked disk imaging software review, click here.