# Image-level backup

#### Image-level backup creates a full snapshot of your system, including the operating system, applications, and data.

***

## Overview

{% hint style="danger" %}
Image-level backup plan is dedicated to devices with <mark style="color:red;">**Windows operating system only**</mark>.
{% endhint %}

**Drive image-level backup** (aka **disk image backup**) by definition creates a complete, byte-for-byte copy of a hard drive, including the operating system, all installed applications, settings, and other data. In case of failure, drive image-level backup allows for a rapid and full restoration of the system to its previous state, either on the original or a new device.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k/blobs/epO2VfRtbDHYpACM9AlN/image-level%20backup%20type.png" alt="image-level backup type"><figcaption><p><em>Backup types example in Xopero ONE Management Service.</em></p></figcaption></figure>

***

## Creating a backup plan

{% hint style="success" %}
Drive image-level backup plan can be applied to multiple devices at once.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Log in to [**XMS**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1], go to the **Backup** tab (**Plans** > **Backup**) and click the **+ Add plan** button in the top toolbar.

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2Fd0F5f5WhfSR9uvIlOIH6%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=25d5ea87-098c-479d-b73f-70fd4e31c0a3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select **Devices** from the platforms list.

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2F4ZVwNgz1HAtRTmTxa3il%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=50f868db-0b47-41cc-8e02-d6649344a33f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the next aside, select **Whole OS** option and choose one or more devices for the plan to apply to (you can also select the plan to include all activated devices, or select device groups for the plan to cover).

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2FUuwgEZjF7VJQuZTXpJce%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=efc85d77-149b-4f86-96e6-fc24c290ac03" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Define the name of the backup plan.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the **Data to protect** section, select the data you want to include in the backup plan:

1. **Global rules** allow you to define locations that will apply to all selected devices. This method offers the **Xopero variable** option, which provides a predefined list of variables such as `SYSTEM_DISK`, `ALL_DISKS`, and `HOMES`.

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2F49YM6Ghgbz8jVC1RyLJK%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2d2dad18-ca9a-409b-8c1c-51dbac07928a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **Select from device** — this method allows you to select disks individually for each device by connecting remotely to its file system.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note that you cannot select specific partitions — the entire disk, including all partitions, is always backed up.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
If a disk containing the boot partition is not included in the backup, the operating system <mark style="color:red;">**cannot be restored from that backup**</mark>.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2FXXA82xxFCa0pcaa6qpsb%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6c1754cb-2e76-4e2d-9a4b-0041bce3cfd6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Specify the backup location by choosing from the available storage options within your service.

{% hint style="danger" %}
S3 storages have a buffer limit which is set to 128 MiB by default and allows you to transfer \~1250GiB of data. You can expand your buffer by following the [backup optimization](https://helpcenter.xopero.com/xopero-one-en/management/backup-plans/optimization) guide.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2FQvqHvZdTuCaE6pBAxIP4%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=581e4f12-1661-4fc5-8ef7-af24affb9446" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Configure the [**Scheduler & data retention** settings](https://helpcenter.xopero.com/xopero-one-en/management/scheduler-and-retention) by defining when backups should run and which types of backup copies to use.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Set the retention policy to determine how long backups are stored — any copies exceeding this period <mark style="color:red;">**will be automatically deleted**</mark>.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2F8dpkkYg7BsXGb6ERheGA%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=315d8750-d3bc-4eb6-b8bc-6bac78056a65" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Go to the **Advanced settings** section to customize additional options, including encryption, compression levels, and bandwidth limit. These settings provide greater flexibility and help optimize the backup process.

<figure><img src="https://319733277-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0CBTl43C3OO6ySL1DJ6k%2Fuploads%2FI8ABUBjA4Bfa2UczzqUa%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b7bab2e4-dca6-4297-a054-8cb5f7674153" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
After completing the configuration, click the **Save** button. The protection plan will then automatically begin protecting your devices according to the schedule you defined.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
You can also click **Save\&Run** button to immediately start the backup process, regardless of schedule.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

[^1]: Xopero ONE Management Service