The backup copy would be made onto another hard drive attached via the USB connector. There are devices readily available for this purpose. When the backup copy is done like this, there will be no trace or evidence of copying left behind and the computer would not have to be opened to physically remove the hard drive.
This assumes of course that the computer is set up to allow it to boot from a Cd.
Once the backup copy is made, it can be mounted on any system which uses Acronis to be read there. I regularly use Acronis to make back up images of my own system for recovery purposes and I have mounted the backup images to retrieve data from them.
Another possibility is that once the backup image has been made, it can be restored to another system as the boot disk and using the windows repair feature from the Windows install CD be made to correctly function on the new system.
I have also done this in the past when migrating from an old computer to a newer one. You will need the drivers for the new system in order for the system to function correctly.
Once you have done this, all your installed programs will run correctly on the new system and you can delete any of your own personal data off the old system since you now have it elsewhere.
Your wife has a legal right to any of her own personal data on the old system and you could get in trouble if you delete it. However, I doubt that you can get in trouble for deleting any of YOUR own personal data.
AND of Course, open new bank accounts in your name only and delete your name off any joint accounts. Under joint account regulations, all members have the same full legal rights to the contents of the account and the first to withdraw it has legal rights to it.
Very Important, when you open new accounts, make them in a different bank than your current bank. Under most bank rules, when one account is overdrawn they have the right to take the money from another of your accounts with the same bank. Keeping your accounts in another bank prevents your wife from overdrawing the account and the bank taking the money from your other accounts.
Keep your own money separate from hers and if the bank won't let you take your name off the old account you may have to close it and if her name is on the account that may be a problem.