In Windows Backup, you can create and schedule a backup of data files only without creating a System Image and is pretty straightforward, just uncheck and aptly-named box in the GUI. However, I have been unable to find a way to disable system images using WBADMIN. What's more, if you try to use the customize -include parameter, you may get a nasty error: "A partial backup of volumes is not supported on this version of Windows." Now, I assume that creating backups of partial system images is the "feature" that has been nerfed in Windows 7, but is there a work around for this if I did not want a system image on the first place?

Hi, Based on my test and research, using wbadmin command seems create system image by default. And there’s no parameter to exclude system image. More about wbadmin, refer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc742083(WS.10).aspx Thank you for your understanding. Regards, Leo Huang Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.