Image for Windows Reviewer's Comments

Image for Windows by Terabyte Unlimited may have the simplest control panel of all the disk imaging software programs available, but this software lacks basic tools to image disks, files or folders with much versatility; you must download extra tools in order for the program to function fully.

Feature Set:  

Image for Windows has a limited on a feature set that will allow you to generate disk images only to Terabyte Unlimited's specifications. If you want to create disk images, specific files or folders, skip auxiliary files during backup or view newly created images, Image for Windows requires additional downloads in order to do so.

Also, Terabyte Unlimited requires an extra application (push technology) to start a backup or restore across a network automatically. Because so many basic features are not integrated into Image for Windows, the control panel is quite basic.

Ease of Use:  

Image for Windows itself is plain and simple, and offers few options. The most difficult part is working with all the add–ons to complete the imaging tasks you have planned. The control panel is designed to backup and restore drives and run a validation of disk images and a few other options, but most functions must come from add–ons. Even when you restore a Windows drive, you must do so from DOS. Such a program would be difficult and frustrating for computer novices, but experienced computer technicians should have no trouble.

You need to read the user guide before creating a backup to become familiar with error messages and solutions, such as the inevitable "unable to obtain a lock on drive C:" error. Unlocking this glitch also requires an additional download.

Backup/Restore Process:  

Even though creating a backup image of a drive didn't take long, preparing to do so took much longer because we had to read through the user guide before beginning. We had to throw away several CDs before achieving a successful backup. Creating an image took 1 hour and 15 minutes on 12 CDs.

Help/Support:  

Image for Windows does have a few support options with their disk imaging software, but gaining access is more difficult then in our higher ranked products. To find the user guide, you must go to your start menu, then open the Image for Windows Folder. Most disk imaging programs have convenient access to help and support with the control panel. Telephone and email support are available as well.

Summary:  

If you want disk imaging software that simply creates an image of your drive with no customization, then Image for Windows might be the product for you. However, we don't recommend Image for Windows for beginners or for those who want to customize their images and restores.