Disk imaging tool allows you to create an image file that contains a replica of the operating system and associated disk partitions of the target computer. This image file can then be stored and transferred across various channels like intranet, cloud, repositories, etc., depending on the organizational requirements.
A disk imaging software allows users to create an image that contains the hard drive content, partition details, and OS partitions. The chosen partitions will have all installed apps and configurations carried across. All of the information gathered from imaging a hard drive will be kept as an image on a network share. The disk image tool can then distribute the image after being compressed to the user's specifications.
Imaging: As mentioned before, disk imaging software will enable you to create a replica of the operating system, settings, and user files of the target computer.
Backup user profiles: It will back up user profiles and will help you migrate access permissions, preferences, security settings, and configurations unique to a user account.
Application deployment: Accelerate the machine setup process by deploying relevant applications and drivers along with your OS image.
Specificity: Employ granular customization by curating settings like user profiles, computer names, computer domains, and user accounts specific to each computer.
Disk adjustment: Optimally utilize the free space in the target hard disk by automatically extending the data partitions in the unallocated space.
Compression: Seamlessly compress your disk images to a smaller size to simplify the transfer of the large disk images.
Shrinking: If the target disk size where the image is to be deployed is smaller than the image size, disk image software allows you to shrink the image before deployment.
In addition to these features, Windows imaging software can function as a cloning software/backup software depending on the organizational requirements.
The cost of disk imaging software may depend on various factors like:
With the availability of multiple disk imaging tools in the market, it can be baffling to choose a single provider from the available options. Though it is advisable to choose the best fit for your organizational requirements, the following general guidelines will help you make the right decision:
Though the primary function of a disk imaging software is to image and deploy operating systems, it can also be used for a variety of purposes. Thus it can be classified into different types based on the unique needs of the organization: