O&O DiskImage 8 makes data images child’s play and supports migration from XP

With O&O DiskImage 8 entire computers, single drives and files can be backed up during running operations. By restoring such an image, a user has their normal and familiar working environment back again in a short space of time, regardless of whether it is restored onto the original computer or one with different hardware.

Berlin, 5 November 2013 – Berlin-based O&O Software has released version 8 of their renowned backup and recovery solution, O&O DiskImage. The regular backup of one’s own data is still a topic that many users avoid. At least that is until they suffer their first data loss due to a software, hardware or user error when it becomes clear very fast how valuable a reliable and up-to-date backup really is. We have directly addressed this problem and integrated into the new version 8 a built-in wizard that accompanies a user step by step through the creation of an automatic data backup. This significantly easier to use backup functionality enables even novice users to create a reliable and fast backup of their data immediately.

We have also taken into account the upcoming end of support for Windows XP with the new version of O&O DiskImage 8 which supports all Windows versions from XP to Windows 8.1. This makes it possible for users to create a backup today under Windows XP which can be used later under Windows 7 or 8.x later too.

Users who wish to save their data to an external storage medium can take advantage of the integrated plug-and -play functionality which backs up and synchronizes selected files and folders automatically. To optimize the memory requirements, the user can specify the maximum number of backups that should be saved so that old ones are automatically replaced by new images. To offer increased data security the program also clearly displays those drives that have not yet been imaged or backed up so that the user can bring their security up-to-date.

O&O DiskImage 8 can now also directly create a virtual hard disk (VHD). Until now users had to first create an image and then convert it. In the new version, this intermediate process is no longer required.

O&O DiskImage 8 not only offers an intuitive user interface , but also an extensive scripting interface that allows professional users to perform all functions of the application in batch files or custom applications.

With the new O&O DiskImage 8 it is possible as from Windows XP to create a boot media directly from within the program. The current version not only supports systems based on BIOS but also the current EFI / UEFI systems.

New and enhanced functions

Plug-and -play functionality: Selected files and folders are automatically backed up and synchronized.

Optimized Memory Usage: A maximum number of backups can be specified and older backups are automatically overwritten.

Create a Windows Boot system: With the current O&O DiskImage it is possible from Windows XP on to create a boot medium directly from within the program.

Monitoring and warning of security risks: Automatic monitoring informs the user when backups or images were not performed for a long period of time.

Mounting data from ISO files: Standard ISO files (ISO 9660) can be mounted as data image files and as virtual hard disks.

1-Click imaging: With just one click a user can start to image their entire computer. The 1- Click imaging is especially useful if O&O DiskImage is being used for the first time or where no computer image has been made.

Restoration onto different hardware (MIR): With the integrated function M.I.R.(machine independent restoration) it is now possible to restore a system onto different hardware. Not only can an image or clone be restored onto servers and desktops with identical hardware, they can also be restored onto machines where, for example, the motherboard or processor has been changed. After the image has been restored, the new hardware can be adapted and the system can once again be started.

Various imaging methods: For a complete image, users can choose between an image of used sectors and an all-inclusive forensic image for purposes of data recovery. An incremental or differential image will only backup those data areas that have changed since the last image operation, thus saving space.

Scripting interface: Full control and configuration of O&O DiskImage functionality can be achieved over a scripting interface for integration into Batch files and a user’s own applications.

Supports EFI/UEFI Systems: The new version supports current EFI/UEFI systems as well as the classic BIOS.

Restoring individual files: O&O DiskImage image files can be mounted as virtual disks. Individual files can then be accessed, for example using the Windows Explorer, and then subsequently restored.

Virtual Hard Disks (VHD): O&O DiskImage can convert images of virtual hard disks from Microsoft (VHD) into O&O DiskImage image files and vice versa. A virtual hard disk can therefore be directly restored.

Visualization of data: The graphical representation of the hard disks and drives – similar to the disk management in Microsoft Windows – allows for an intuitive selection of the volumes that are to be backed up or restored. Both free and used memory and the size of each partition are displayed, which makes managing the data easier. Data from ISO files: standard ISO files (ISO 9660) can be mounted as virtual hard disks as well as data image files.