Backup Your Copy of Windows

Posted on: 04.03.06 by Brent Trahan

Learn how to copy your Windows CD or DVD and keep the copy bootable just like the original.

Have you ever tried copying your copy of Windows and couldn’t get the burnt copy to boot when trying to install Windows from it? This guide shows you how to make a copy of Windows using ISO Recorder that also copies the files that let you boot from the burnt CD. ISO Recorder also lets you create an ISO image of any CD or DVD and save it on your hard drive. You can also use ISO Recorder to burn ISO images to a CD or DVD. All of these functions of ISO Recorder are explained in this guide.

Download & Install ISO Recorder

Click here to download ISO Recorder and install it on your computer. Be sure to download the right version of ISO Recorder. Most people need ISO Recorder V2.

Copy Your Windows CD or DVD

In this example I’m going to show you how to copy a Windows XP SP2 CD.

Insert your original copy of Windows in your CD drive. Place a blank CD in your CD burner. Open up My Computer and right-click the drive that your original copy of Windows is in and select Copy CD to CD.

A window will popup like the one below.

If everything checks out OK, click next. Once you click next you will see a window similar to the one below popup.

During the process of ISO Recorder copying your copy of Windows it will copy an ISO image of the CD to your hard drive then burn that image to the blank CD in your CD burner.

When it’s finished you’ll get a window similar to the one below.

That’s about it. You now have an exact copy of your original Windows CD.

Save an ISO Image of a CD or DVD on Your Hard Drive

Place the CD or DVD in your CD or DVD drive. Go to My Computer and right-click the drive your CD or DVD you want to make an ISO image of and select Create image from CD.

The next window that pops up asks you where you want to save the image file.

Click the button with three dots to tell ISO Recorder where to save the image file.

Navigate to where you want to save the image file and give it a name in the File Name box. Click Save to start the process.

The ripping process will start.

When it’s finished creating the image file a window similar to the one below will popup.

All you have to do in most cases is double-click the image file and the burning software on your computer will burn the CD or DVD for you.

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