Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Disk Imaging

Nov 24, 2012 10:15PM PST

I would like a disk imager that allows me to exclude files/folder from the disk image, is there anything that does.

Please note I am looking for a disk imager not something that simply backups files - I want to create a disk image but exclude my itunes, steam and warcraft folders - I dont need them to be included in my disk image

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Might take a look ar ACRONIS...I use it for imaging drives
Nov 25, 2012 2:41AM PST

and or partitions ....compressed or uncompressed. How much disk space does itunes, steam and warcraft take ?

VAPCMD

- Collapse -
Answer
The problem with a disk imager ...
Nov 26, 2012 3:23AM PST

is that it images the disk, not only the files. That includes the directories and the FAT (file allocation table). So just leaving out the files would lead to an utterly inconsistent file system. You wouldn't want to restore that.

A disk image is an all or nothing copy of the disk. A partition image is an all or nothing copy of the partition.
So the thing to do for you: move the things you don't want to include in the partition image to another partition. Or move the things you don't want to include to another disk.

That makes the solution: don't image the disk, but image a partition and put the files/folders you don't want to include on another partition.

Kees