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Saving/exporting/reformatting/reinstalling everything takes me *days* and I’m not in the mood for that right now.

I started using imagining for major backups several years ago. On my XPs I used a program called CloneGenius (now a part of spotmau.com).

My newer Win7 laptops and desktop have manufacturer imaging programs included.

I image after any major upgrades. I also keep my data on a separate partition. Imaging the OS partition/drive usually takes about 45 minutes. If you need to 'reinstall' the OS, it is easier to apply the imaging restore, because it contains all your settings and installed software.

Imaging has saved me many times. I do occasionally use System Restore, if I see a problem do to recent new or upgraded software. But for major restoring, I use the most recently created 'image' file. Applying an image restore usually takes about 45 minutes, depending on the number of installed programs, etc.

Problem is that the image contains all the screwed up DLLs and such.

I do a full format of the HDD, strip it clean and take it down to the bare metal.

I’m kinda radical, that way.