What is image clones?

Image clones, also known as cloning or ghost imaging, is a method of creating a bit-by-bit copy of an entire hard drive or partition. This technique is commonly used to back up or migrate operating systems and applications to new computers. Cloning can also be used to recover lost or damaged data, as well as to deploy a standardized configuration across multiple machines.

When creating an image clone, all of the data on the source drive is replicated onto a target drive, including the operating system, applications, files, and settings. The process typically takes several hours, depending on the size of the drive and the speed of the computer. Once the cloning process is complete, the target drive is an exact replica of the source drive and can be used to boot the computer.

Image cloning can be done using specialized software tools such as Norton Ghost, Clonezilla, or Acronis True Image. These tools offer a range of features, including the ability to create incremental backups, schedule automated backups, and clone multiple drives simultaneously. However, it is important to choose a reliable tool and to take appropriate precautions to ensure that the image clone is accurate and usable.