Paragon Backup

Paragon Backup is one of the best free system backup tools. It offers all the functionality you need to keep your entire system backed up. Use the �entire system� backup option to create an �image� of your entire system into one (or multiple split) files. It can exclude �auxiliary files� like the Windows hibertnate file and memory file (can be gigabytes in size) and you can also add your own categories and exclusions to speed up the backup and save on backup disk space. You can schedule the backup plan so that you won�t have to forget backing up your system.

I would advise the following setup if you want to be able to restore your system no matter how damaged or unbootable your system has become:

1. Get an extra hard disk. I would advise an external (USB) disk and use it only for backups. External disks you can unplug or power down so that it is not available if you are not backing up / restoring. The advantage is that your backed up data cannot get deleted by accident or a virus, so it is always safe.
2. Clean your system with CCleaner (with CCEnhancer) and System Ninja. This will remove all unneeded files from your system that you do not need to back up and thus speed up your backup and make your backup file smaller.
3. Scan your system for malware using your installed antivirus software and other tools like MalwareBytes, DrWeb and HitmanPro. Make sure your system is clean before backing up. You don�t want to backup an infected system.
4. Create a backup plan in Paragon Backup and exclude the auxiliary files and other folders that you do not want to be backed up to reduce the backup file size. The location for your backup files will be your external (or internal) hard disk. Never backup on the same physical disk even if it is on another partition on the same disk. If for some reason your hard disk fails, you will not be able to restore your backup. Always have your backup on another physical disc than where you have Windows installed. Also never backup your stuff on optical disc, as the chances of data loss are a lot higher due to corrosion.
5. When the backup is done, power down and unplug the external disk. Also create a bootable rescue CD using Paragon in case your system becomes unbootable.
6. If you know your system is always clean because you have a good antivirus and you don�t fall for the fake virus alert popups online and never run unknown files, then you might want to use an extra internal disk or leave the external disk always plugged in and on so that you can create an automatic monthly backup plan in Paragon. If you do manual backups instead, then just repeat steps 2 to 5 once every month or so. It is very important then to make sure that your backed up system is clean of infections. You do not want to restore to an infected state.